14 JULY / AUGUST 2017 the rest had to find a way to still get the core business done. We certainly became efficient during this time, because efficiency was the only way to survive. “It has been an interesting dynamic, because the DFI already had been doing things efficiently prior to the recession. Part of that came from having staff that was tenured, and also we had very driven leadership. “So while efficiency was a good thing before the crisis, it meant that, after the 1 The history of Herman B Wells dovetails with the Indiana Bankers Association, which he joined in 1928 as a TEVX XMQI ƤIPH VITVIWIRXEXMZI ,I PEXIV WIVZIH XLI -RHMERE Department of Financial Institutions as a bank supervisor before joining Indiana University in 1930 as an instructor. % FIPSZIH ƤKYVI SR GEQTYW ;IPPW WIVZIH XLI YRMZIVWMX] as chancellor from 1962 until his death in 2000. 2 Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Along with Thomas C. Fite, three members of the Indiana banking community and one IBA associate member serve on the board of directors of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions: Mark A. Schroeder, board vice chair – German American Bancorp Inc., Jasper Donald E. Goetz –DeMotte State Bank Paul R. Sweeney – retired from Old National Bank in Vincennes Jean L. Wojtowicz – Cambridge Capital Management Corp., Indianapolis IBA Members on DFI Board crisis, we didn’t have a lot to give in making cuts. We had some interesting challenges. We cut through the fat and were shaving bone. “As painful as those times were, these sacrifices leave us with opportunities at present. Now that we are extremely efficient and we are finally increasing staff, we have more room for training and to implement new programs in the future. Maybe we wouldn’t have had these opportunities, if not for all those tough cuts back in the day. “We’re now working on improving surveillance, and we have a new IT examination division, with an experienced head of IT and two people under him with IT degrees to do IT exams. This is a big structural change for us. “We’ve also brought in a trust examiner with more than 30 years of experience, and we’re contemplating altering our strategies in other areas as well, in both depository and non-depository examinations.” Please share a bit about home life/pastimes. “My wife LeeAnn and I were high school sweethearts. We met at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, then went to separate colleges. LeeAnn went to Purdue, and I went to Ball State, so we only saw each other on weekends. “After college, LeeAnn worked as a nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital, where she still works part-time, and I was hired here at DFI. For the first 15 years, I traveled as an examiner, leaving on Monday and seeing LeeAnn again on Friday. It was like we were still in college. “When we started our family 10 years ago, it was a challenge to be on the road. That’s why I feel passionate about the sacrifices that examiners make, because I remember those phone calls of ‘Daddy, when are you coming home?’ “LeeAnn and I now have three children. Cooper is 10, Hunter is seven, and our little girl Alaina is two. “The boys are very active in sports, so pretty much every night there’s a practice or a game going on. I also coach Little League Baseball and help coach elementary school age wrestling. “It’s a busy family life. Cooper, as the oldest is the leader, especially in sports. Hunter is the social one. Wherever we go, he knows the names of everyone ages 6 through 10, and stops to talk to all of them. And Alaina, the baby, rules the roost. She added a fun new dynamic when she came along. “Most of the time when I’m not working, I’m with my family. There’s not a lot of ‘me’ time, but after having traveled for 15 years, I’m happy to be home.” HB Tom and LeeAnn Fite maintain an active family life. Shown are (clockwise from upper left): Tom, Alaina, LeeAnn, Cooper and Hunter. VIDEO BONUS Thomas C. Fite DFI Director The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions is in hiring mode. In this video, Director Tom Fite explains what the DFI seeks in new applicants, and describes the close-knit workplace culture. Both entry-level and experienced professionals are invited to consider career options at the DFI. Click the red arrow above to view the video in HB Digital online. For more information about employment opportunities at the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, contact the DFI at 317-232-3955 or 800-382-4880, or visit the DFI webWMXI EX MR KSZ HƤ
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