NYC-raised, Iranian-schooled Woman Says We Should All
Embrace & Preserve Cultural Traditions

What does it mean to be an American? The answer to that question is changing.

It's exemplified in stories like that of Shaghayegh "Sharon" Farsijani, raised in New York City until she was a teenager and then transplanted to Iran for her high school years. Her experience trying to balance two vastly different cultures while recognizing the beauty in both was difficult but ultimately liberating, she says.

"I was a Brooklyn girl and my parents were quite 'American' although they were Iranian natives. My father wanted me to live in Tehran for a few years so I could experience his culture," says Farsijani, whose new book, "Lacking Lips of Time," (http://lackinglipsoftime.info), puts to words her feelings from that time.

"I witnessed much beauty living in and attending school in what used to be ancient Persia, and I embraced it, but I had to do that while adapting to a much more restrictive, religiously observant, culture. It's a fine balancing act between conforming and staying true to who you are."

Farsijani says poetry helped her synthesize her feelings and appreciate the beauty - the people, culture and land - around her. She later went on to earn her MBA, became a noteworthy journalist in Iran and traveled extensively, eventually forging a new career in the United States.

While preserving and embracing ethnic and cultural heritage is easier in some ways in America today, she says, it's also more complicated. Farsijani shares three "snapshots" of our contemporary American "melting pot":

• Hispanics, our largest minority, represent a multitude of cultures. Fifty-one percent of Hispanic adults in the United States say they identify not with a generalized "Latino" heritage but with their family's country of origin. And 69 percent say Latinos have many different cultures. That poses challenges for families who want to preserve cultural traditions in a nation that tends to paint diverse groups of people with a broad, homogenous brush.

"One of the beautiful things about our cultural diversity is that it enriches all of us, whether or not we share that ethnicity," says Farsijani. "Something as basic as a dish of chicken and yellow rice can be prepared one way in Colombia and another in Costa Rica."

By exploring and appreciating what different cultures make available to us as Americans, she says, we can help ensure traditions remain authentic and available.

• Many more people identify themselves as multi-racial. With racial differences often come cultural differences. In 2000, for the first time, the U.S. government officially recognized that some Americans identify with more than one race. That year, the Census offered us the option to check multiple races to answer the question, "What is this person's race?"

"It's surprising that it took 210 years to make this change, but it's a huge step forward in helping individuals balance their multiple racial and ethnic identities," Farsijani says. "When the government basically tells you, 'You can only be one race,' it's sending a message that your other identities have no value."

• With more diversity of immigrants comes greater religious influence. The U.S. government grants full residency status to about a million new immigrants each year. For centuries, we received wave after wave of Christian European immigrants, and those from other Western-hemisphere nations. But our melting pot has been expanding with a spike in immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Middle East-North Africa region.

"There is no way to quantify the numbers because our government does not ask an immigrant's religion," Farsijani says. "But we can assume more pronounced diversity of religious and cultural colors on America's family quilt, including Islamic and Hindu faiths."

Acceptance of these different faith perspectives helps make the U.S. a stronger union, Farsijani says.

"America is beginning to look more like New York City in terms of diversity," Farsijani says. "My hope is that we are able to appreciate our common humanity."

About Shaghayegh "Sharon" Farsijani

Shaghayegh "Sharon" Farsijani has a cultural background that is as diverse as her poetry is sensual. Born in New York City, she moved to Tehran with her parents, a native Iranian who wanted her to experience the culture of her ancestors. She eventually made her way to California, then to Paris and finally New York City again. After working as a reporter, graduating with her MBA and traveling extensively, she embarked on a journey to write with a deeper focus, culminating in her first book of poetry.

DALLAS - October 15, 2013 - Triumph Bancorp, Inc., parent of Triumph Savings Bank, SSB, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, today announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of National Bancshares, Inc., parent of THE National Bank, headquartered in Bettendorf, Iowa.

National Bancshares, Inc. has an established history of serving its communities for over 12 years. As of September 2013, National Bancshares, Inc. had approximately $900 million in assets. Its community banking subsidiary, THE National Bank, member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, offers personal checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, money market, HSA, IRA, NOW and business accounts, as well as consumer, commercial and mortgage loans from 19 branches and 3 loan production offices located throughout Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.

"We are excited to welcome the customers, employees, and shareholders of National Bancshares to the Triumph group of companies," said Aaron P. Graft, President and CEO of Triumph Bancorp, Inc. "This transaction is one of those rare opportunities to create value for everyone involved. For Triumph, we are acquiring an established, full service institution with a solid deposit franchise. For THE National Bank, it is gaining financial strength and access to the diverse lending opportunities within Triumph's platform. The combination of these attributes, as well as the strength of the combined balance sheet, creates a unique financial enterprise that is well positioned for success in the future."

John D. DeDoncker, President and CEO of THE National Bank commented, "We are pleased about the opportunity to combine resources with Triumph Bancorp, Inc. Through this acquisition, we believe we have enhanced the banking experience for our customers with the addition of various financial opportunities. We will continue to serve our customers and community well as we go forward as a member of the Triumph Bancorp group of companies."

Following this acquisition, Triumph Bancorp, Inc. will have approximately $1.2 billion in total assets and $150 million in total equity capital.

Triumph Bancorp, Inc. was advised in this transaction by Commerce Street Capital, LLC as financial advisor.  Hunton & Williams, LLP and Beard, Kultgen, Brophy, Bostwick, Dickson & Squires, LLP served as Triumph's legal counsel. Sandler O'Neill + Partners L.P. acted as financial advisor and rendered a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of National Bancshares, Inc. in connection with this transaction. Lane & Waterman LLP acted as legal counsel to National Bancshares, Inc.

About Triumph Bancorp, Inc.

Triumph Bancorp, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is a financial holding company with interests in wholesale banking, commercial finance and investment management. In November 2010, Triumph Bancorp, Inc. acquired and recapitalized its subsidiary bank, Triumph Savings Bank, SSB, which was then known as Equity Bank, SSB. Triumph brings creativity, diligence and innovation to all of our investments. Members of the Triumph Bancorp, Inc. group include Triumph Savings Bank, SSB, Triumph Commercial Finance, LLC, Triumph Capital Advisors, LLC, Triumph CRA Holdings, LLC and Advance Business Capital LLC.

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Triumph Bancorp's or National Bancshares's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance, or achievements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and neither Triumph Bancorp nor National Bancshares assumes any duty to update forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving Triumph Bancorp and National Bancshares, including future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: (i) the possibility that the merger does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (ii) the risk that the benefits from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which National Bancshares operates; (iii) the ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Triumph Bancorp and National Bancshares; (iv) the reaction of the companies' customers, employees and counterparties to the transaction; and (v) diversion of management time on merger-related issues.

WITH RIVER BEND FOODBANK FOR FOOD DRIVE THIS FRIDAY, 10/19 @ 11 am!

FIRST 100 DONATIONS OF THREE NON-PERISHABLE CANNED FOOD ITEMS RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY TICKET TO OPENING NIGHT OF DISNEY ON ICE!

MOLINE, IL (10/14/13) - Disney On Ice presents Passport To Adventure has joined forces with River Bend Foodbank to make it an extra special Thanksgiving for Quad Cities families. The first 100 people to donate three non-perishable canned food items to the food drive, this Saturday, October 19 starting at 11 am, will receive a voucher valid for a free ticket to the Opening Night of Disney On Ice presents Passport To Adventure coming to the iWireless Center November 14-17! The food drive will take place at the iWireless Center, 1201 River Dr. Moline, IL.

There is a limit of one voucher per family who donates to the food drive. Vouchers are valid for the November 14, 7 p.m. performance and are redeemable at the iWireless Center box office only. Additional tickets for Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure will be available at the iWireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. To learn more about Disney On Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com.

 

All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or the iWireless Center box office. For group rates and information, call 309-277-1356.

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About Feld Entertainment:

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

H.R. Strategist Shares 3 Tips for Firing Up Your Workplace

How many employees roll their eyes during meetings to discuss new initiatives?

How often do they scramble to complete a task not because they love it, but because they're afraid of the consequences if they don't?

How many mutter "not in my job description" when asked to assume a new responsibility?

"These are examples of people whose work is providing them with nothing more than a paycheck," says Trevor Wilson, human resources strategist, CEO of TWI Inc., and author of "The Human Equity Advantage," (www.twiinc.com).

"And even though that's ostensibly why we go to work, it's not what gets us excited and enthusiastic about what we do."

The solution, he says starts with business leaders and managers. If their work is not fulfilling any higher purpose for them than making money, they're lacking one of the essential qualities necessary for helping their employees become engaged - and for keeping engaged employees enthusiastic.

"You need to step back and assess your own situation," Wilson says. "Are you driven more by your fears - of not being able to pay your bills, of losing your job, of failing? Or are you driven by the knowledge that you, like every one of us, have the capacity to do amazing things?"

Business leaders who are striving to create something that will leave the world a better place are not only more engaged themselves, they're more likely to do the things that help their employees engage, Wilson says.

"Our search for happiness is our search for our purpose, and we achieve both by bringing all of our skills and talents - our human equity - to the job," he says.

He offers these tips for fostering a culture in which employees are actively engaged:

• Use performance evaluations to learn more about your employees' strengths, interests and goals. Each employee has strengths and talents that often go unrecognized -- and untapped -- in the workplace. Helping them to identify these and use them at work contributes to their feeling that their work has purpose and results in more engaged, productive employees. "People want to bring all their talents to what they're doing - we're happiest when we're doing what we're good at it," Wilson says. "In order to know what those skills, talents, even personality traits are, managers must get to know their individual employees."

• Do not treat all employees equally. All employees are not equal and treating them as if they were leaves engaged, enthusiastic employees feeling shortchanged and disengaged employees feeling entitled, Wilson says. "Acknowledge and reward employees who are going the extra mile and point out the ways they're contributing that may not be quantifiable or part of their 'job description.' The successful salesman who routinely coaches less successful colleagues is displaying a strength that won't show up on his sales sheet but is, nonetheless, a valuable contribution to the company."

• Recognize and reward employees' demonstration of strong values. Values are part of the human equity that all of us bring to work in varying degrees. Honesty, integrity, compassion, work ethic - our best employees usually have these and other strong, positive values.  Business leaders may unconsciously recognize them, for instance, by giving a very honest employee their trust, but they should make a point of acknowledging them publicly as well. "Our values are the foundation of our purpose and an expression of our true selves," Wilson says. "Employees who are both able to demonstrate their values at work, and rewarded for doing so, having a greater sense of purpose."

About Trevor Wilson

Trevor Wilson is the CEO of TWI Inc. and creator of the human equity management model. He is the global diversity, inclusion and human equity strategist who regularly speaks at corporate functions. TWI's clients include some of the most progressive global employers in the world, including Coca-Cola, Ernst & Young, BNP Paribas and Home Depot. TWI's trademarked human equity approach was instrumental in catapulting Coca-Cola's South Africa division to the top performing division worldwide.