Vernon Hilton, 30

By Lorna Collier

Vernon Hilton never imagined while growing up that he would wind up as a commercial banker.

“I didn’t know there was a lot out there for me, honestly,” said Hilton, who grew up without a father. After graduating from high school, he wasn’t sure what to do with his life. He worked at Ingersoll Milling Machine, Camcar, Essex Wire and UPS, before realizing he belonged in college.

After graduating from Northern Illinois University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Hilton began working at AMCORE Bank. He was promoted twice and today is a commercial relationship manager, handling more than 25 commercial clients.

Hilton is married with two sons. He is earning his MBA at DePaul University and coaches youth basketball and football for Ken Rock Community Center. Last year, he was president of Macedonia Baptist Church’s Young Men’s Group, where he put together a leadership summit for minority teens.

Just as he was mentored by other men when he was a fatherless youth, he wants to give back and serve as a role model, knowledge base and advocate for youth in the community. He would like to develop his public speaking and motivational skills, and dreams of becoming a bank president some day.

“I don’t see a lot of African Americans [in high positions] in the city,” Hilton said. “Being seen in these positions helps kids realize they can do things in the corporate world.”