Do You Know the Bankempers?

By Vickie Denning, Communications Director

TVLC is filled with remarkable people. Because of the number and size of our services, we often miss out on meeting folks or having the opportunity to get to know them. Today we’ll meet the Bankemper family.

About you?
Cory and Stephanie Bankemper are native Tucsonans. They have two children, Porter (8) and Kate (5).

Cory and Stephanie both graduated Sahuaro High School. They met during high school when they worked together at Soleng Tom Elementary School’s summer camp.

Cory and Stephanie both graduated the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management earning degrees in Business Management. As Stephanie tells the story of their time together in Eller classes, Cory could often be found snoozing on her shoulder. However, she notes ironically that he graduated Cum Laude and she did not!

Cory is a Production Control Manager for Industrial Tool Die & Engineering, where he has worked for the past 18 years. Stephanie is an Account Executive for Cox Business, where she has worked for 13 years.

Porter attends Tanque Verde Elementary School and will be starting third grade this fall. Kate will start Kindergarten. Porter and Kate both attended our TVLC Preschool.

Hobbies?
The Bankemper family is busy and active! Stephanie loves yoga and watching her children in their extracurricular activities. Cory is into physical fitness, trying new beers, and helping his children practice their sports. Porter loves reading, playing baseball and watching NFL football. Kate loves animals, dancing, gymnastics, and hanging out with her friends.

Pets?
The Bankempers have 2 Labradoodles, Dutch and Dixie, and 10 chickens.

Hidden Talents?
The Bankempers have some great hidden talents. Cory is an amazing chess player. Cory and Stephanie are great house flippers, but Stephanie’s hidden desire is to be a party planner for her next career. Porter can do 16 pull-ups in a row and Kate is an animal whisperer.

Favorite TVLC memories?
Stephanie fondly remembers leading a VBS group of preschoolers including her son in 2019. She also remembers the family’s participation during the first in-person Christmas Eve service following COVID virtual services. Porter read the bible verse and Kate lit the candles on the Advent wreath.

Have you enjoyed getting to know the Bankempers a little bit better? Can I share your story? I’d love to hear from you! Contact VickieDenning@tvlc.org