Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to Stephen Gerrald on being named the eparisextra October Patron Saint.
The following story was written by J.D. Marrs:

Some people wait until they are older in life to really start getting involved in their community. It may be because of their family life, responsibilities of being a parent and all the activities that our children are doing these days, or it may just be after they retire from the everyday bustle of a full time job. This month’s Patron Saint is one of the exceptions to that, similar to our August’s selection. He got involved in Paris and Lamar County at the ripe old age of 23. He not only plans for the future of his clients through his 9-5 job, but he is investing in the future of our community through his volunteer time.

eParisExtra selects an individual or group of individuals that show their Devotion to Works of Charity in Paris through the sharing of their heart, giving of time, or through the donation of money much like the original Patron Saint of Paris France, Genevieve. We recognize them as our “Patron Saint of Paris” Texas that month and feature a story of why they were selected.

Our October Patron Saint, Stephen L Gerrald, is originally from Nacogdoches, TX. Stephen’s education is as solid as it gets, graduating Magna cum Laude from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with his minor/specialty being Finance.

In 2007, he began his Edward Jones career as a Financial Advisor and moved to Paris to assume responsibility for an existing office in January 2008. He became a limited partner with the firm in 2015 and obtained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in August of 2016. He is also a recruiter of financial advisors for Edward Jones. He received the regional “Ted Jones Spirit of Caring” award and a Top 25% Client Service Excellence Award for being in the top 25% nationally as an Edward Jones Financial Advisor.After moving to Paris ten years ago, Stephen immediately got involved in Lamar County. He is or has been a member of numerous groups, organizations and charities such as:

• Joined the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and started volunteering as an ambassador shortly thereafter.
• Graduated from the Leadership Lamar County Class of 2008-2009 and was the president of the Leadership Lamar class (2009)
• Chairman of the Leadership Lamar Board (2012-2013).
• Member of the Rotary Club of Paris United since 2009 and has held several board positions.
• Served as a two-time president on the United Way of Lamar County Board (2012-2014)
• President of the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce (2015-2016)
• Awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Greater Paris.
• Awarded as an Ambassador of the Year by the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce.
• President of the 100 Club of Lamar County.
• Former Board Member of Lamar County Human Resource Council or as most of us know it “Meals on Wheels”
• Former Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lamar County and is currently still a mentor.

Stephen said he has been happily married for eight years to his wife Mandy. They have two 3 year old sons , Jesse and Shepherd, who are 8 months apart. The Gerralds travelled to Ethiopia last year to adopt Shepherd. They attend Lamar Avenue Church of Christ where Stephen is on the Vision Team.