10 MARCH / APRIL 2019 COVER STORY Karen Gregerson Community Champion When Karen F. Gregerson joined The Farmers Bank, Frankfort, as president and CEO in 2016, she brought to the position years of related experience, including current service on the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI). Previously, she had been with STAR Bank, Fort Wayne, for 34 years, serving in roles including audit and tax manager, controller, chief financial officer and president of STAR Trust Company. Regarding service on the FHLBI board, Gregerson was the first female member director of the organization. “I feel very honored to have been elected back in 2013,” she recalls. “I have a lot of people in the banking industry to thank for helping make that happen.” Additional community outreach includes board service with the Girl Scouts of America, St. Martin de Porres Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic (for uninsured Allen County residents), and Junior Achievement. Additionally, Gregerson has volunteered for the United Way of Allen County and is a past president of the school board of Bishop Luers High School, where she started the Academic Super Bowl program. She currently is the United Way campaign chair for Clinton County and a board member for the Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation. Gregerson also chaired last year’s Indiana Bankers Association Banking on Women Conference committee, and in 2016 she was honored as an Outstanding Woman in Banking by Northwestern Financial Review magazine. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, a master’s degree from Indiana Tech, and is a graduate of the 2002 Leadership Fort Wayne class. A certified public accountant, Gregerson is a member of the Indiana CPA Society and Financial Executives International. Her first foray into business happened during high school years, when Gregerson was involved in Junior Achievement. At the time, JA was an evening program through which students formed companies. “Through that I got to experience what it’s like to be in business, which I enjoyed,” says Gregerson. Hoosier Banker interviewed Karen Gregerson about her leadership in banking. What is your role as president and CEO of The Farmers Bank? “My role is to act as the Chief Encouragement Officer to enable and motivate everybody to fulfill our vision, mission and strategic plan. For us the strategic plan process begins when our board of directors and
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