John Nesci

Operations Manager, Wells Fargo Capital Finance

40 Under 40 Category: Operations

Biography:

John Nesci is an operations manager for both domestic and international factoring. He has been with Wells Fargo for over 16 years and manages a team based in New York and Los Angeles. He oversees four departments which handle all client accounts-receivable activity for the entire Trade Capital portfolio.  This includes processing of approximately nine million invoices annually and over half a million payments in excess of $10 billion. John currently serves on the Wells Fargo Capital Finance Operations Recognition committee and is actively involved in team-member development programs. John received his B.S. in finance from Manhattan College and his MBA from Dowling College while on baseball scholarships to each institution. He is married with two daughters and enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, golf and baseball.

How do you think the commercial finance industry can attract more young professionals?

I do not believe there is a magic formula, but I will offer a few suggestions that have worked for us. First, we make sure to understand what role we are trying to fill so we can target the proper audience—it’s not one size fits all. Young individuals are just like the rest of us—unique and motivated differently. Some may aspire to higher wages, while others gravitate to work-life-balance perks, such as working from home. Find what the position calls for and see if the person is a fit. Do not force a square peg into a round hole. Once they’ve been hired, it’s important to pay attention and make sure they are still in the right seat on the bus. I am a firm believer of recognition and mentoring playing a key role in the retention and development of our team-members.

What role has mentoring played in your career? 

I do not have enough space to express how grateful I am for all the support and education I have received in my career from everyone inside and out of the organization.  Because of all that support, I am now being recognized in an industry filled with so many talented individuals, which is a tremendous honor.  I have been at Wells Fargo for over 16 years.  While I have served the Operations group in various roles, I have been fortunate to have the same individual lead our Commercial Services Operations team the entire time. That’s uncommon these days, and I’m proud to have learned so much from such a remarkable person.  In addition to the support our senior leaders always provide, our entire team is extremely experienced and knowledgeable and willing to share both.  I remember how much everyone has taught me over the years, and try to pass those experiences along as well as hope to help influence those who are in the early stages of their career. 

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? 

As technology has evolved, it has made it much easier for everyone to stay connected and up to date with almost anything in real time.  This allows folks the opportunity to see the big picture and get a more rounded understanding of the role each item plays.  When I began my career there was no such thing as a smart phone, and all of the information was not as readily available as it is today.  This resulted in limiting the data being put into decision-making.  It’s easy to get caught in the day-to-day, but having a larger perspective about what’s happening with items such as legislation and industry regulations is important, especially when making long-term decisions.  I’d also say that it’s essential to pay attention to all of the opportunities available to you when you are young.  As you get older, you are more encumbered by responsibilities, so take chances when you are young and be open to different paths.

What is the best professional advice you have been given and how have you implemented it?

It’s actually quite simple: treat people how you want to be treated. For me, that means being good at observing and listening.  Take the time to absorb what you are being told and have a well- thought-out response.  While I may not always succeed, in my opinion, it is a great goal to have.  It’s easier sometimes to try and barrel through an issue, but I have found a slower, more thoughtful approach usually yields the best results.