 “In spite of the effects of the national recession, AuburnBank  continues to maintain stability and profitability. Our positive  earning trends, increased dividends and excellent liquidity  continue to provide an attractive platform for investors. Ed Lee Spencer’s business acumen contributes significantly to every aspect of AuburnBank, particularly customer service. He sets the bar for others to follow,” says Bob Dumas, president  of AuburnBank.  “When I started out in business, I didn’t have much except the  ability to shake someone’s hand and ask, ‘May I help you? How  may I serve you?’ It’s about all I had to offer, but I think this same  foundation is what sets AuburnBank apart from other financial  institutions,” says Spencer. “We still answer our phones.” Spencer’s success never blinded him to those in need. While  running the building-supply company, he expanded a practice  started by his father of financing homes for local citizens with  low income and no credit history. “If they owned the lot, we’d  build them a house and let them pay monthly payments. This  gave our citizens an investment in which they could be proud,  and it was important to them,” says Spencer. At the bank, he pushed to establish a branch presence in  economically struggling communities like Notasulga and  Hurtsboro. He has membership in the Jule Collins Museum of  Fine Art, established scholarships at his alma mater, the Auburn  University College of Business, and served on the Auburn  Industrial Development Board. Spencer has also served as  chairman of East Alabama Medical Center.  “It may be success, whatever that is. I hope it is always the  satisfaction and duty of offering a helping hand along the way  — to our neighbors in need, to our communities and to the  principles and people that made it possible for us to be here, to  be free and to be able to make a choice.” Spencer, however, would credit his family as his greatest  achievement. Married to his high school sweetheart, the former  Ruth Priester, since 1953, the couple lives on the family farmland  where both sons built homes and families as well. Daughter  Sandra manages the Alabama 4-H center near Columbiana, and  she lives there.  Spencer credits his success to hard work and the determination  to take care of the foundation while being unafraid to grasp  opportunities for growth, attributes recognized by the  distinguished membership in the Alabama Business Hall of  Fame. Spencer commented at the induction ceremony, “Over half a century ago, after four years of service, I resigned my commission in the United States Air Force to try my hand in a small family lumber yard and building-supply business. My experience was limited, but I followed the directions Joshua  heard a long time ago, ‘Be strong and of good courage, be not  frightened neither be dismayed for the Lord is with you.’ Stay out of the fray if you are timid and in doubt. “I had a very basic business plan, ‘Try it. You can do it if you meet  your obligations and take care of your customer.’  “As I looked at the market place, I did not see dollar signs. I  saw opportunity, and I also realized that if you are going to do  anything, you have to have great folks with you and you have to  turn them loose and rely on their talent, loyalty and effort. “And you know what happened? Without committees, without  legislative action or inaction, and without a massive public- relations campaign, we had to have other people to help us, and  we put them to work. I think the word for work today is jobs. We  also had one thing that is now a buzz word – the term stimulus,  except we called it food on the table, payment of bills and  creation of capital for the next opportunity. “In our system of free enterprise, there can be a broad road ahead or maybe just the challenge or adventure of a byway or  untried trail. You don’t have to test the unknown or difficult, but you can. You may not succeed, but you have the choice. And you know what? With effort, ingenuity and help, something  significant can happen.