20 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 His banking journey began as a senior in high school, when Paul worked part-time for American Fletcher National Bank and Trust Company, Indianapolis. He continued with AFNB while an undergraduate at Butler University and, upon graduation, entered the bank’s management training program. Paul remained with AFNB for five years, during which time he married his wife Jo Eva, earned an MBA from Butler, and segued into commercial loan administration. New work duties included training responsibilities, a natural fit for Paul. One day a brochure from RMA, then known as Robert Morris Associates, spurred Paul to consider working for the development and training organization. He sent RMA an unsolicited resume, was hired, and he and Jo Eva began a new life phase in Philadelphia with their baby girl Jessica. Paul’s RMA years provided impressive growth and career opportunity, but the experience was tempered by the challenges of being on the road some 100 nights per year, compounded by distance from extended family. Seeking to return to Hoosier roots, Paul mailed another unsolicited resume to the Indiana Bankers Association and was hired in May 1987. At that time, the banking landscape As 2021 closes out, the Indiana Bankers Association marks the end of a treasured era with the retirement of Paul W. Freeman, CAE. Paul retired as executive vice president effective Sept. 30, leaving a legacy of accomplishments that forever changed the IBA for the better. A reception was held in his honor in October at the IBA Mega Conference in downtown Indianapolis. Paul’s affiliation with the IBA traces back to 1987, when he joined the Association as director of member services, a newly created position. He was uniquely qualified for the role, fortified with foundational experience in a range of bank operations, coupled with a strong background in association management. in Indiana was in transition. Passage of the Banking Structure Reform Act of 1985 permitted Indiana banks to branch across county lines and also to acquire – or be acquired by – banks in contiguous states. The resulting flurry of mergers and acquisitions significantly reduced the number of independent banks operating in the Hoosier state. To help Indiana banks succeed in the more competitive environment, the timing was ideal for the IBA to form a member services division. With Paul at the helm, this new effort produced lasting results. Among his many IBA accomplishments, Paul conceived of and created the IBA Mega Conference in 1992. This revolutionary concept provided quality education for all functional areas of banking in a single, large event setting. Mega has since grown to become the largest state bankers association meeting in the country. Paul also was the driving force in hosting year-round schools and seminars on premise. He orchestrated IBA’s move in 1996 from downtown Indianapolis office space to a stand-alone building on the Meridian Street corridor, where he established the IBA Center for Professional Development. Nearly 5,000 Indiana bankers now benefit each year from IBA education and training. Other achievements include coordinating two additional office moves, managing New Markets Tax Credits transactions and creation of the IBA Five Star Program. In other arenas, Paul has served in leadership and board positions with the Indiana Council for Economic Education, the Shown at center, Paul Freeman and other members of the IBA staff display Mega Conference T-shirts in 1992, the first year of Mega. SPECIAL TRIBUTE
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