The Liberty Bell: A Day in the Life

Drew Hulette, Commercial Loan Officer in Paducah

Winter 2026 Edition

I grew up in Union County, where helping others was just a part of everyday life in my family. I can remember going with my dad to church to fix the chimes and the HVAC system or lying under a car on the ice in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Christmas Eve to fix a stranger’s car. I recall going with my mom to deliver food, clothes, and toys to families in need. What I didn’t realize until much later was that my parents intentionally brought me along – and then talked with me afterward about why our actions mattered. 

Those conversations stuck. They taught me something simple, but powerful: hard seasons are hard enough on their own. No one should have to go through them alone. That lesson is what eventually led me to say yes to serving on the board of the United Way of Western Kentucky.

I started my morning doing something I never do. I hung a “do not disturb” sign on my door. I was calling in to record a segment for The Greg Dunker Show on News Talk Radio 94.3 WKYZ, 570 AM. Greg, a good friend and longtime supporter of the United Way, wanted to talk about why giving time, talent, and resources really matters to people facing real challenges.

I recall my own story and my own reason why. My philosophy has always been to “give hope to those who need it most.”

I’ve spoken in front of crowds plenty of times, but radio was new for me. I was a little nervous, but we got the segment on the first take. What a wonderful opportunity, I was able to educate listeners on the United Way, highlight Independence Bank’s focus on community, but most importantly, I may have reached someone who needed help. Maybe the information shared is all someone needed to find the resources they needed.

Behind the scenes, the work of the United Way is constant. Every year, there are grants to write, funds to raise, volunteers to organize, and corporate campaigns to manage. In fact, the United Way of Western Kentucky will host 150 presentations during the corporate campaign. For a small staff, it’s a lot. That’s why board involvement and volunteer support are so important. A strong working board and many volunteers who can complement the staff is truly the lifeline to ensure programs continue without interruption.

After completing the radio show, I shifted gears for a while. I was working on closing a new relationship that would fund the permanent refinancing of Phase 1 and provide construction financing for Phase 2 of a new project in Paducah. As part of the loan facility, I was working with my customer service representative to set up a new operating account for the borrowing entity, along with their digital banking platform and treasury management services. Since the closing was scheduled at the end of the week, I really wanted to make sure everything was ready a couple of days prior so we could avoid any last-minute challenges that might pop up.

This afternoon, I was honored to present the corporate giving campaign at Paducah’s largest fire station. It was a great chance to thank our first responders and give them another way to invest in the community they already serve every day. It was a first for me, and I truly appreciated the time spent interacting and gaining a different perspective on some of the circumstances plaguing the community.

After the presentation, I had some time to check my emails and voicemails I received while I was out of the office. My goal is to always return voicemails and emails the day they are received. Communication with a customer or prospect can happen quickly, and I like to ensure everyone has what they need to accomplish their tasks.

The final stop of the day was the United Way office in downtown Paducah. The board had been discussing the idea of doing a better job of thanking those who give so generously, which led to the creation of a donor wall in our newly donated office space. As a part of the open house, the wall recognizing levels of giving from the past year was being unveiled. In conjunction with the donor wall, an awards ceremony had been planned. The ceremony would recognize civic leaders from across the region who had most influenced our community through their work with our many partner agencies.

Once the donor wall had been unveiled and several awards presented, I had the privilege of presenting the Ladd Mathis Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the United Way. Being able to honor a friend and former client – and share part of their story – was especially meaningful. Their life has been marked by intentional choices each year and a commitment to helping others.

On my ride home, I often reflect on the day or return any late-day phone calls. I spoke with a customer who was out of town on vacation, but wanted to make sure everything was in place for our upcoming closing. Following the short phone call, I thought about my parents. Many years have passed for us both, but I still carry my parents’ life lessons. Without question, today, I more fully appreciate what a blessing God gives us when we choose to give hope to those who need it the most.