Chris Esfeller, Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Executive at Regions Bank, has been an advocate for United Way of Southwest Alabama for over two decades. His journey began as a Loaned Executive during his first year with Regions, and over the years, his commitment to United Way has grown stronger. “I gained a deep appreciation for all of the resources this organization provides to our community, and I look forward to expanding my involvement in the years to come,” says Chris, reflecting on why he joined the Board of Trustees.

For Chris, leadership is about teamwork. “Leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, and influence others toward achieving a common goal. At its core, leadership involves being part of a team,” he explains, adding that his love of being part of teams extends from playing baseball to leading corporate teams at Regions Bank. His leadership within the bank has also helped strengthen United Way’s annual campaign, where he’s played a significant role in organizing and driving support for the cause.

Outside of work, Chris spends time with his wife, Margeaux, and their two children, Marissa (13) and Cooper (9). The Esfeller family recently welcomed a Bengal cat named Captain into their home. Despite being a lifelong dog lover, Chris admits that Captain has been quite entertaining.

One of his favorite family traditions is a Christmas Eve gathering with his father’s side of the family, but a newer tradition—the annual tarpon fishing trip on Father’s Day—has quickly become a highlight for him. When he’s not working, Chris enjoys tarpon fishing, bow hunting, boating, and watching his children’s activities. He’s also busy improving his farm to create a better deer habitat and chipping away at his wife’s honey-do list.

Chris holds a finance degree from the University of South Alabama and is an active member of the Catholic community, attending St. Ignatius Church. When asked about his vision for Southwest Alabama, Chris emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy community. “We have a very unique location along the Gulf Coast, and the Mobile area has so much to offer. It’s a great place to live and work, and our secret is out. The foundation of all of this is a healthy community, which is something that is never complete. We are on a great trajectory, and I’m fortunate to be a part of it and look forward to keeping up the momentum.”

###