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9/17/2012
IOWA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION

Thomas Huston honored with 2012 James A. Leach Leadership Award

JOHNSTON, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2012) – Thomas Huston, chairman of Columbus Junction State Bank in Columbus Junction, was honored this week as the 2012 recipient of the Iowa Bankers Association’s (IBA) James A. Leach Leadership Award. The IBA presented the award to Huston during the opening ceremonies of its annual convention on Sept. 17 in Des Moines.

The IBA created the award in 2000 following former Congressman Jim Leach’s term as chairman of the U.S. House Banking Committee. The annual award recognizes a distinguished Iowa banker who has made significant, life-long contributions to how Iowa banks serve Iowa communities.

“Tom is deeply committed to helping others, which has been evident throughout his service in the military, his local community and his more than 50 years in banking,” said John Sorensen, IBA president and CEO. “He also served as the state superintendent of banking during the extremely challenging farm crisis of the 1980s. With his experience as both a banker and a farmer, he displayed the courage and diplomacy needed during those difficult times. His guidance was critical to helping restructure the way we provide agricultural credit today, which is a critical component of Iowa’s economy.”

Huston began his career in banking 54 years ago, on Jan. 1, 1958, at Columbus Junction State Bank, where he still currently works today. Prior to his banking career, Huston served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force on active duty in Illinois and Texas after graduating from Iowa State University in 1951. After completing his military service in 1953, Huston worked on his family’s farm in Wyman, Iowa, until joining the bank.

Throughout his banking career, Huston has held numerous leadership roles. He served two terms on the IBA board of directors and was IBA president in 1971. He also served on the IBA Ag Committee in the 1960s. Gov. Robert Ray appointed Huston to serve as the state’s superintendent of banking in 1975, a position he held for more than a decade, advising both Gov. Ray and Gov. Terry Branstad on key banking issues.

Huston also has been an active leader in his local community, including serving as a school board member for the Columbus Community School District, president of the Louisa County Red Cross and past chairman of the Cancer Crusade for Louisa County. In addition, he has been a member of the Columbus Community Club, director of the Columbus Community Senior Center, treasurer and board member of Colonial Manor, member of the Louisa County Fair Board, deacon of the United Presbyterian Church and a member of the Industrial Committee for the Columbus Community. He also supported the development of many firsts in Columbus Junction, including its first retirement housing, nursing and care center and swimming pool.

Huston and his wife, Kay, have seven grown children, 15 grandsons, two granddaughters and one great granddaughter.

This year’s James Leach Leadership Award nominating committee chair, Charlie Funk of MidwestOne Bank in Iowa City presented the award to Huston. Other past recipients include Mick Guttau of TS Bank in Treynor; Alan Tubbs of Maquoketa State Bank; Oliver Hansen of Liberty Trust & Savings Bank in Durant; Edward Tubbs of Maquoketa State Bank; Arnie Schultz of GNB Bank in Grundy Center; O. Jay Tomson of First Citizens National Bank in Mason City; Don Carmody of Henry County Bank in Mount Pleasant; Jeff Plagge of Northwest Financial Corp. in Arnolds Park; Paul Johnson of Iowa State Bank in Algona; Dan Krieger of Ames National Corp.; and Holmes Foster of Banks of Iowa, Inc.

About the Iowa Bankers Association

The Iowa Bankers Association represents Iowa’s 341 banks and savings institutions. Iowa bankers are committed to the Iowa values of honesty, hard work and community service, and have been a trusted resource for Iowans for more than 100 years. Iowa banks offer FDIC insurance and lend more than $41 billion to help individuals, business owners and agriculture. Nearly 15,000 Iowans work at an Iowa bank, and Iowa banks donate more than $35 million and 874,000 volunteer hours to support local communities each year. To learn more about Iowa banks, visit MyIowaBank.com.

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(Contact: Lori Ristau, IBA Vice President, Marketing/Communications, 515-286-4316, lristau@iowabankers.com or, John K. Sorensen, IBA President & CEO , 515-286-4313, jsorensen@iowabankers.com)

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	Pictured left to right: 2012 James Leach Award Winner Thomas Huston, chairman of Columbus Junction State Bank in Columbus Junction, and James Leach Leadership Award nominating committee chair, Charlie Funk of MidwestOne Bank in Iowa City