Hoosier Banker 11 The Indiana Bankers Association created the Leaders in Banking Excellence award in 2018 to showcase exceptional leaders who have positively impacted Indiana banks and the communities they serve. Nine awards were presented the inaugural year of the award at a special ceremony at the IBA offices. The following year, six LBE awards to the class of 2019 were presented at a similar ceremony. In 2020, 10 members of the Indiana banking community were named Leaders in Banking Excellence, but pandemic conditions prevented an in-person celebration. For that reason, this year the IBA presented awards to two classes of honorees – the classes of 2020 and 2021 – at a combined ceremony at the Annual Convention in French Lick. On Aug. 16, approximately 120 guests assembled for an afternoon awards ceremony celebrating the induction of 17 Leaders in Banking Excellence. Presenting dignitaries included U.S. Sen. Mike Braun; Director Thomas C. Fite, Indiana Department of Financial Institutions; IBA Chairman Michael S. Zahn; and Amber R. Van Til, IBA president and CEO. Additionally, each honoree was invited to make comments. Three honorees who were unable to attend the ceremony were presented with the awards in advance, and their videotaped acceptance speeches were shown. All honorees were presented with ebony keepsake plaques commemorating their status as Leaders in Banking Excellence, IBA’s highest honor. The awards ceremony culminated with the showing of a traveling version of the IBA Wall of Excellence. A permanent Wall of Excellence is on display at the IBA offices in Indianapolis, with crystalline plaques representing all the Leaders in Banking Excellence designated since 2018. The classes of 2020 and 2021 Leaders in Banking Excellence honorees include a range of current and retired honorees. All were nominated by IBA-member organizations and approved by the IBA Board of Directors. Class of 2020 Honorees George L. Allison, Owen County State Bank, Spencer Craig M. Dwight, Horizon Bank, Michigan City Clay W. Ewing, German American Bank, Jasper William W. Harrod, First Harrison Bank, Corydon Charles E. Isch, First Bank of Berne Gene E. Miles, First Farmers Bank & Trust, Converse Larry W. Myers, First Savings Bank, Jeffersonville John W. Tanselle, SmithAmundsen LLC, Indianapolis Ryan M. Warner, Bippus State Bank, Huntington David G. Wihebrink, Logansport Savings Bank Class of 2021 Honorees David B. Becker, First Internet Bank of Indiana, Fishers Richard E. Belcher, First Federal Savings Bank, Rochester Mark S. Fogt, Garrett State Bank David M. Geis, Jackson County Bank, Seymour James D. Neff, Horizon Bank, Michigan City Michael C. Rechin, First Merchants Bank, Muncie C. Michael Stegall, Community First Bank of Indiana, Kokomo Following are plaque inscriptions of each honoree, as showcased on the Wall of Excellence at the IBA offices. GEORGE L. ALLISON Owen County State Bank Spencer Class of 2020 Plaque Inscriptions George L. Allison is past president and CEO of Owen County State Bank, Spencer, as well as a retired director. He joined the organization in 1962 and was elected to the board in 1967. During his nearly 60-year career, Allison served in almost every position with the bank, from mail room clerk to chairman of the board. Additionally, he served the Indiana Bankers Association as 1996-97 chairman. Allison has been active with multiple community organizations and was instrumental in helping to found the Owen County Family YMCA and the Owen County Community Foundation. He and his late wife, Jetta L. Allison, created the Allison Family Fund in 2007 to support local causes. A member of the IBA 40 Year Club, Allison completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. 2020 Class of IBA Leaders in Banking Excellence (Continued)
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