Steger began his career with Bank of Botetourt in March of 1971 as a management trainee and became Chief Executive Officer in April 1976. When he began his career with the bank, it had one office– in the Town of Buchanan– and $6 million in total assets. Steger was named President in February of 1984, leading the bank in its growth and the change of its name to Bank of Botetourt in July 1995. Steger was named chairman of the board in 2001.
After his retirement as president and CEO in June of 2010, Steger continued serving on the board of directors and as its chairman.
A lifelong resident of Buchanan and Botetourt County, Steger has deep roots and a strong sense of community. Bank President and CEO G. Lyn Hayth III said, “Watts has been a part of our bank for 50 years and we have all been blessed and privileged to have been mentored, guided, and associated with him.”
Throughout his career, Steger experienced numerous changes in the banking industry and led the bank from manual operations as it migrated to computer systems. He continues to be passionate about banking and has advocated on behalf of the industry throughout his career. He has been very involved in leadership roles in both the Virginia Bankers Association and the Virginia Association of Community Banks, serving as chairman of both associations.
Steger is an alumnus of Hampden-Sydney College and is also a graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He also served as a faculty member at the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, where he also served as president of the program.
Steger resides in the Buchanan area of Botetourt County with his wife, Linda. In retirement, he plans to spend more time with his family and looks forward to traveling more.
