5 Hoosier Banker November 2016 This is the third of my four closing Hoosier Banker articles in which I say both thank you and goodbye, as I prepare to retire on Dec. 31. This month, my focus is on the many leadership bankers that I have worked with and for during the past 26 years. As with the legislators I thanked in last month’s column, I cannot possibly list all of the people that I have reason to thank. I am glad that next month’s year-end special edition Hoosier Banker will list all the board past presidents and chairs of the Indiana Bankers Association, Community Bankers Association of Indiana and Indiana League of Savings Institutions, each of whom merit recognition. All of those Association leaders that I have had the good fortune to work with became friends, and I continue to visit with many on a regular basis. It is because of the leadership of these dedicated professionals that the IBA has enjoyed so much success throughout the years. These leaders made bold decisions that collectively have advanced the industry and the IBA. I will name a few, because a unique story or important event accompanied their rise to leadership. Joe Pierce of Farmers State Bank, LaGrange, chaired the Community Bankers Association of Indiana the year that it merged into the Indiana Bankers Association; two years later, he served as IBA chair. I often joke with him that his name is the answer to the trivia question: “Who chaired both the CBAI and the IBA?” He is the only one. Harry Bailey, Ameriana Bank, New Castle, holds a similar distinction. Harry served as chair of both the Indiana League of Savings Institutions and of the Indiana Bankers Association, also as the result of a merger. Harry’s name, then, is the answer to a trivia question about leadership of the Indiana League and the IBA. That aside, these two mergers were probably the most impactful events to occur during my years of service. Bringing all three organizations together made it possible for the unified IBA to advocate with and for bankers with a clear, strong voice; to provide a cohesive and thorough offering of educational and convening events; and to consolidate financial strength. Past IBA chairs Chuck Crow of Community Bank, Noblesville, and Mike Cox of First Merchants Bank in Muncie were instrumental in completing these merger transactions. Two times I asked for Jim Marcuccilli of STAR Bank, Fort Wayne, to serve ‒ once on the American Bankers Association Government Relations Committee, immediately after the financial crisis, and again to ascend through the IBA chairs when we were working to save the Public Deposit Insurance Fund (PDIF) and to effect reductions in the financial institutions tax. Jim stepped up both times, resulting in some carve outs for community banks after the crisis, and in leading the charge for saving the PDIF and getting the first reduction to the financial institutions tax. Dave Geis, Jackson County Bank, Seymour, originally stood up to then-Gov. Mitch Daniels and his administration in opposition to the attempted raid on the PDIF, which set the stage for Jim to negotiate to save the fund. Dave was the right person at the right time to take a stand, and Jim was the right person at the right time to deal with the important issues, both nationally and statewide. Dave Geis; Joe Pierce; Mike Bauer, WesBanco in New Albany; and Mark Schroeder, German American, Jasper, all returned to the IBA board ‒ serving as liaisons either to the American Bankers Association or to the Independent Community Bankers of America ‒ following their service as IBA board chairs. Consequently I have worked with each of these individuals over a very long time, and count each as close friends. Pat Glotzbach of The New Washington State Bank, Charlestown, was in service as IBA chair for just over two months when tornadoes destroyed much of Henryville, where his bank had the only branch in town. Pat worked tirelessly for months to help the good people of Henryville. As a result, the IBA got involved in helping to create and raise monies for the New Hope Services/Indiana Bankers Association Disaster Relief Fund. My hope had been to raise $25,000 to $50,000. That all changed when country music group Lady Antebellum adopted the fund as its charity of choice and held a concert in honor of Henryville. When all was said and done, we collectively raised more than $380,000, every penny of which went to victims of the disaster. That remains a deeply touching memory for me personally. Other bankers whose input as board chairs had particular significance were Mark Fogt of Garrett State Bank and Mark Schroeder, who wrestled with whether the Association should get involved with New Markets Tax Credits. As former bank chief financial officers, both fully understood the complexities of this program. Through their leadership, the board did become involved, setting the foundation for the rock-solid financial strength of the IBA. I could relay anecdotes about the achievements of every Association chair and every board member who served during my time. All were important to the success of IBA, and important to my career. I thank you all for your leadership, counsel and friendship! FEATURE CEO Ponderings S. Joe DeHaven, Chief Executive Officer, Indiana Bankers Association
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