NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022 Aug. 3, 1987, was my first day on the job at the Indiana Bankers Association. That was on a Monday. By Sunday, I was telling people at church that I liked my new job so well, I didn’t want to ever work anywhere else. Now, 35 years later, I’m scheduled to retire at yearend. The years went quickly! Some brief background: Before joining the IBA, my husband Marlin and I had wrapped up a two-year adventure abroad teaching English in Madrid, Spain. When we came back home to Indiana, I was fortunate to join the team at the IBA, where I primarily focused on Hoosier Banker magazine. From the start, I loved the work. I previously had some magazine experience as a student at Northwestern University and additional post-graduation work on periodicals, so I took to Hoosier Banker immediately. This particular issue of Hoosier Banker, I believe, marks No. 388 for me. I won’t try to count the words and articles through the years – all I know is that I’ve truly enjoyed the process. The second reason I have so happily devoted my career to the IBA is the sense of purpose. When I was younger, I always pictured myself working for a “do-gooder” organization. I quickly learned that working on behalf of Indiana bankers more than satisfies that calling because of all the work banks do to build up their communities. Most importantly, the main reason I’ve so enjoyed my 35 years at the IBA is the people I’ve been blessed to work with. I have consistently worked with the best of the best – coworkers, bankers, associate members and colleagues at other bankers associations. These work relationships are special, and I view the IBA team as a second family. As for my “real” family, I’m equally blessed. Marlin and I celebrate 40 years of marriage next summer, and we’ve had the joy of raising our two sons, Nick and Sam. Nick and his lovely wife Shaina live near Detroit, Shown at the 2018 wedding of Nick and Shaina Wilson are, from left: Marlin, Shaina, Nick, Laura and Sam. Michigan, where Nick is an engineer with Nissan Motor Corp., and Shaina is a director-level recruiter for Teach for America. Sam is pursuing his own overseas adventure by living in Thailand, where he teaches English at a middle school. Marlin and I had the chance to visit Sam and meet his sweet girlfriend Aya, who works with preschoolers. More travel is in store, as Marlin is already retired from his career as a Spanish teacher, so we’ll have plenty of time. Wherever we go, however near or far, I will always look back fondly on having been part of the Indiana banking community. Thank you all for making my career possible, and thank you to the IBA for hosting a wonderful retirement reception for me at the IBA Annual Convention. It truly was one of the most beautiful nights of my life. The IBA has been my work dream. I just didn’t know how quickly 35 years would fly by. Laura Wilson Vice President - Communications Indiana Bankers Association lwilson@indiana.bank Retirement Reflections
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