Sissie Shank Experiences the Ringing of the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange

By Delores Kuhlwein

Sissie Shank of Phoenix, Arizona, recently had the chance of a lifetime: to join the U-Haul executive team at the ringing of the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange.

“Going to the New York Stock Exchange was one of the best trips I have ever had,” explains Sissie. “I felt so fortunate to be included. There is something about the long history of the exchange, the feel of the power and weight of all the great companies that have walked through those doors that is just awe inspiring!”

The longtime all-around, reining and ranch exhibitor is also widely known as a third generation President and CEO for Chas Roberts Air Conditioning and Plumbing in Phoenix, Arizona.

So what’s she doing with the U-Haul board of directors?

“I was nominated for the advisory board in 2016 by a U-Haul executive,” she says. “I was asked to serve on the advisory board for a couple of years starting late 2016, and then joined the full board, where I have served for several years.   As a Board member I serve on their Independent Governance and Compensation committees.”

Shank explains she enjoys board work, and her love of business strategy, accompanied with the opportunity to help others, is a great fit for companies like U-Haul that “do the right thing and have a commitment to continual improvement.”

So when the publicly traded U-Haul stock made the change to NYSE from the NASDAQ, it was cause for celebration, and Sissie made the trip to New York City to join in the festivities with trainer and good friend Holly Hover.

“For me, it was an epic experience and I have had the opportunity to travel a lot and I’ve seen a lot of great sights,” explains Holly. “To see the stock exchange and the building with all the history and to feel the electricity was beyond what I expected. It was a rush and I was so proud of Sissie. Though all the work had been a group effort from the board, Sissie played an integral part and they made that known and made a big deal over her.”

Holly adds that the women present were impressive, gracious, well-spoken, and intelligent, and it was very inspirational. “I was there with all these powerful executives and I’m doing my best to keep up with them,” she laughs. “They knew I’m a horse trainer, and of course, every single one of them had a funny horse story to share!”

Sissie explains the whole exchange celebrates the company that is ringing the bell, and that day, the outside of the building had a huge U-Haul banner, and every digital board inside displayed the U-Haul logo.  Security is high at the exchange, but it doesn’t diminish the feeling in the air. “The place itself is crazy busy, and you can feel the anticipation of the trading day.  When you are up on the podium and everyone is clapping waiting for the day’s activities, it’s thrilling!”

For Sissie, the memories she’s bringing home are endless, but one particular instance stands out in her mind.  “A group of school kids came into the room where we had breakfast and met afterward, and I could see the excitement of being there through their eyes, and I thought, that’s exactly what I look like today(albeit a bit older). The excitement was the same,” she says.

“I think what affected me the most was the sense of importance that the NYSE plays in our economy, and the depth of responsibility that I felt to be the best I could be in the small role that I play.”