C.E. Scoop Rivers didn’t start out working in the trust business like others in his position. He first went the journalism route and became the first full-time sports information director at the University of South Alabama.

And although his name, Scoop, came from his time in the journalism world, Rivers would eventually find himself doing something that he never expected but grew to love.

Rivers, who is now the trust branch manager at Trustmark National Bank in Selma, began his career in the trust business nearly 18 years.

Recently, Rivers attended the 72nd annual Continuing Education Trust Seminar of the Alabama Bankers Association Trust Division at the Vestavia Hills Country Club in Birmingham where he was awarded the 2015 Wayne F. Lambert Trust Professional of the Year, an award he had no idea he was going to receive.

“I’m excited, but I think the excitement was tempered by just being in shock. I never expected to be considered for the award,” Rivers said. “I’m sure there’s a lot of people that are more deserving than I am, but nobody will appreciate it more.”

When his name was called for the award, the only one given at the seminar each year, he was excited to find out that his family was there hiding in the back until his name was called.

“It’s just amazing. I don’t know how else to describe it,” Rivers said. “It was such a humbling experience because there’s so many people that have been in the trust business longer than I have.”

Rivers has been with Trustmark for 18 years, and he has no plans of going anywhere any time soon.

“They will carry me out of here on a gurney,” Rivers said with a laugh. “I don’t ever want to retire. I want to keep going as long as I [can]. I want to stay doing it forever and ever.”

Rivers said he isn’t sure who nominated him, but just finding out that he was put up for the award meant a lot to him.

“To be honored by being nominated is a huge thing,” he said. “It’s a humbling experience.”

The recipient of the award is selected by a committee composed of the current officers of the Trust Division, the immediate past president of the Trust Division and the CEO of the Alabama Bankers Association. Rivers was the 12th recipient of the award, which was presented by Trust Division President Collins Compere of Regions. Rivers is only the second employee of Trustmark Band to receive the award, the other being Raymond F. Lynn Jr. of Mobile’s branch who was given the award in 2014.

Rivers said he is just happy to be working where he does doing something that he loves.

“It’s just such a profession of integrity and relationships and I just love relationships,” Rivers said. “It’s one of those professions that you can look yourself in the mirror and know that you’ve done something to help somebody.”