Sorrell College of Business alumnus Derek Ellington challenged business students to “do what Trojans do” by leading and offered them three keys to personal success.
“At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about: making a difference, impacting in a major way and that’s what Trojans do. We impact. We lead. We influence, and that’s your opportunity that’s in front of you today,” he said.
Ellington, an Enterprise native who played middle linebacker for the Troy Trojans football team from 1988-1992, is Executive Vice President and Head of Small Business Banking at Wells Fargo, one of the nation’s largest banks. At TROY, he doubled majored in computer science and business administration and was elected SGA Senator and SGA Clerk, before being narrowly edged out for SGA President by Cam Ward, now a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and holds a master’s degree in international business from Birmingham Southern.
He joined Wells Fargo in 2021 after having worked in various positions over 24 years at Bank of America. He began his banking career at BBVA Compass.
“You have the opportunity to compete effectively globally,” he told students. “It’s up to you to take advantage of the resources that are here (at TROY) and leverage those resources to the best of your ability.”
Ellington shared with the students his three keys to success, outlining in detail specific tidbits of advice predicated on continual competition in the workplace among professionals.
