Amanda Berryhill

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A Family Of Entrepreneurs...

Amanda knows firsthand what it takes to run a family business. In 1997, her dad fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a successful restaurant with the purchase of JW's Ranch House in Kilgore, now named McKay's. She proudly watched her dad turn a below average business into a true success story through vision, dedication, and a complete understanding of every facet of the business. Up until 2020, McKay's outperformed their prior year every single year since 1997! Amanda is proud of the fact that she has worked in some capacity for the business since high school - everything from hostess to cashier and now focusing on the financials.

Working with her dad in the family business, she inherited his aptitude for numbers. He knows exactly how much he pays for every single item purchased on his 150 item order sheet! Most importantly, he has taught her the importance of relationships in business - with suppliers, employees, and customers.

From Wall Street to Main Street...

While on a study abroad program during her junior year at Texas A&M, Amanda spent time in the London office of Goldman Sachs, the most prestigious investment bank in the world. From that experience, her goal became to work for Goldman. During her coursework in the Real Estate Masters program at Texas A&M, she earned a highly coveted internship with Goldman's commercial real estate group. Upon completion of the internship, Amanda was extended a full-time position. Her goal had been achieved!

Her years in commercial real estate were full of learning, huge loans ($100 million average loan size), long hours, and great experience. However, her biggest takeaway was that although she achieved the first major goal that she set for herself, her heart belonged in small business. It’s inevitable that employees become “just a number” in a corporation of great size. The relationships, community impact both economically and philanthropically, and the camaraderie are what set small businesses apart. Living and working in Dallas gave Amanda a greater appreciation for East Texas.

In 2011, she relocated back to East Texas and joined VeraBank, working on Main Street in Henderson. She was in good company surrounded by Aggies. Amanda worked in wealth management, investments, and estate planning before transitioning to commercial credit.

During her time in commercial credit, Amanda’s group oversaw the bank’s $1 billion+ loan portfolio made up primarily of loans to small businesses. She has a deep understanding of financial analysis and cash flow as it relates to business performance. She knows exactly what a bank is looking for in terms of lending approval and can help small businesses attain the financial leverage to meet their goals. 

Here To Stay...

Amanda and her husband, Tim, have one daughter, Katherine - age 2 who they look forward to raising in East Texas. She believes that the closeness of our communities and genuine kindness of its members set the Piney Woods apart. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys traveling, volunteering through the Junior League of Longview, spending time with her family, and Aggie football.