Ed Burns is a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County and the Community President at United Fidelity Bank, where his days revolve around people — employees, clients, and the broader community.

• Known for starting his mornings early and staying deeply involved in local boards and events, Ed brings a steady, relationship-first approach to leadership.

From greeting staff in the office to balancing board meetings, client conversations, and community initiatives, no two days look exactly the same. What stays consistent is his focus on doing what’s right, staying grounded, and remembering that banking, at its core, will always be a people business.

Are you a life-long local, if not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?

Life Long Resident of Okaloosa County

What’s your current job title and where do you work?

United Fidelity Bank Community President

What’s your morning routine?

Wake up no later than 5:30. Check the sports news, which is quick because FSU is terrible this year. Workout, iron clothes and then head to work or to drop the kids off at school

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

Check emails before hitting the road. If I am in the office that morning I try to greet all of my employees. Map out my day and identify the 3 most important goals for that day Touch base with my operations team. Then into client meetings or board meetings. Depending on the day, lunch is either a working board meeting, a client catch-up or beef jerky in my office. Finalize my day at the office and then head to a board meeting or bank sponsored event.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?

Greet my staff. Respond to emails and plan my day

What tools, apps, or gadgets can’t you live without?

I am a pen and paper person, but I am trying to integrate my technology to help me be more organized

Apple or Android?

Android even though my friends and family hate it

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?

Autumn in a Cup from Deb’s Coffee or the seasonal latte at Coffee Ave at the Food Trucks at Florida Place

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

Knife’s Edge at Bob Hope Village. It is crazy good

What’s one local business you love supporting?

Vincenzo’s Italian Bistro- The food and drinks are phenomenal.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

It’s ok to tell someone no or to not over commit. You can’t give a 100% of your effort if you are stretched in too many directions.

If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Taking a step backward or making a lateral decision isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes you need that step backward to reach a higher level.

How do you unwind after a long day?

I truly love cooking dinner for my family. It gives me a chance to decompress, listen to music and focus on anything else buy work. If I ever left banking I would love to start a restaurant.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

At work I am an extrovert, but I have introvert tendencies. I recharge with alone time in the woods or on the golf course.

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program. However, I am partial to United Fidelity Bank’s Community Day. lol

What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?

The book “On The Edge” by Allison Levine (this is my 3rd time reading it). It has a lot of great life and leadership lessons

Early bird or night owl?

Early Bird.

Most used emoji?

LOL

Music while working — yes or no? (and if yes, what’s on your playlist?)

Music: Tyler Childers, Eric Church, Luke Combs

Favorite motivational quote?

“A society grows great when men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit in”

Standing desk or sitting? Mix?

Sitting, but I walk around my office when I am on phone calls

If you could give any advice for someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?

The indusry will continue to grow and and envole with technology but banking will always be a “people business”. Focus on your customers, your employees and always do what is right.