Travis B. Bryan, head of the Bryan Chamber of Commerce and president of the First National Bank of Bryan, knew the opening of the Bryan Army Air Field would be significant asset to the local area. Thousands of soldiers and local civilian support workers brought an enormous economic boon to his city's economy.

Bryan spearheaded a community-wide fundraising effort to raise money to have a military aircraft built and with the official opening of the base on June 7, 1943, the "Sprit of Bryan Field" was dedicated. But Bryan's innovation did not stop there.

The war at home brought about an innovation that would impact the country's banking industry.

Bryan's grandson, Tim Bryan of The Bank & Trust of Bryan/College Station, explains.

Timothy N. Bryan serves as the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of The Bank & Trust of Bryan/College Station. A longtime banker, he's followed in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great grandfather. His great-great grandfather was William Joel Bryan for whom the City of Bryan is named. Bryan graduated from Texas A&M University in 1972. He began his business career in Houston, working his way up the ranks of Texas Commerce Bank. In the late '80s, he purchased a series of Blockbuster video stores. He then sold his interests and moved back to Bryan in 1990. He is an avid historian and supports a wide range of causes in the local area.