Raphael Torres

Senior Vice President, Regional Credit Manager, Commercial Services Group, Wells Fargo Capital Finance

40 Under 40 Category: Portfolio Management/ Risk

Biography:

Raphael Torres, leader of the Staffing Services team with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, brings 15 years of banking experience. Raphael began his career as a collateral analyst and was quickly promoted to a relationship manager, handling some of the team’s most complex transactions. Most recently, Raphael served as a portfolio manager before being promoted to lead the group in 2016. Raphael has been an active member of the American Staffing Association. He has won the Staffing Services team’s “Team Member of the Year” award, in both 2009 and 2012, and a recipient of one of Wells Fargo’s most prestigious awards, The Golden Spoke, in 2014.

Raphael Torres graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and received his MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

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

Experience is invaluable and something a professional can only get over time. Yet, experience alone does not guaranty growth or success — work ethic is key. To quote Calvin Coolidge, “All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” My father taught me from a very young age to always work hard with passion and perseverance. I remember him regularly reminding me that, as I grow in my career, I will come across individuals that may be smarter and have more experience than I do, but the one thing that would always be in my control is the level of effort I put into each task. One of the phrases he would say that has stuck with me is, “Never let anyone outwork you.” I have implemented this by taking a great deal of pride in the amount of effort I dedicate to achieving each task I set out to do.  Throughout my career I have always looked for opportunities to volunteer my services, whether through special projects or taking on more responsibility. I strive to make the job of both my superiors and my subordinates easier through my effort. My aim is to actively seek for new ways to add value in everything I do. I believe each and every opportunity we have to demonstrate our worth is a blessing, and the best way to show that gratitude is through relentless and untiring effort.

How would you define what a good leader is, and what can you do to reflect those characteristics as you progress in your career?

Leadership is about inspiring your team to exert maximum effort in achieving the group’s goals. Leadership is about caring for the well-being of your team and having interest in their success — both professional and personal. I also believe implementing balance is a key ingredient for good leadership. One must understand the individual’s limitations, yet at the same time maximize their strengths. Leadership listens to feedback and respects their team’s contribution. Above all, leadership is setting an example. Your team needs to know you are with them in the trenches and that you would never expect them to take on a challenge you wouldn’t do yourself. Throughout my career, I have been blessed to have very strong managers who have displayed inspiring levels of leadership. They were hard workers that knew how to balance delegation with taking on responsibility. It was through their guidance that I have been able to develop certain leadership qualities of my own. I was given enough rope to grow while getting the support I needed at the right times. These are qualities I strive to duplicate and have played a vital role in my success to date.