Charlie Powell Honored As Banker Of The Year

The Tarrant County Bankers Association (TCBA) today honored Charlie Powell, president and chief operating officer for Bank of Texas – Fort Worth Region, with the 2011 Banker of Year Award. The presentation took place during the association’s final luncheon of the year at the Shady Oaks County Club.

Since 2000, TCBA has honored leaders of the Tarrant County banking industry with the prestigious Banker of the Year award. Recipients are selected based on their professional accomplishments, efforts to improve the public image of banking within the community and encouragement of other local bankers by highlighting the outstanding performance of a banking colleague.

“Charlie’s banking career reflects all the qualities and attributes required for the Banker of the Year award,” said Bob Semple, Tarrant County chairman of Bank of Texas and a previous TCBA Banker of the Year recipient. “He has a strong history of community involvement, as evidenced through his numerous board positions, and has strengthened the image of banking in the Tarrant County market by leading successful community and regional banks. Charlie is a very deserving of this award.”

With a career that spans three decades, Powell has firmly established himself as familiar face among Tarrant County bankers. His professional accomplishments range from the successful formation of community banks to leading multi-billion dollar regional banks in the local marketplace. However, Powell’s true legacy lies in the long-term relationships he has established throughout his career and his mentorship of countless young bankers into upper-level management positions. Through his work with young professionals, Powell has passed on his relationship banking philosophy and style.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Powell offers an extensive amount of his time and skills to the community. He is a board member for the John Peter Smith Hospital and Healthcare Network, serves on the Economic Development Council of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Boy Scouts of America Longhorn Council Executive Board of Directors. Powell also serves the Northeast Tarrant County Leadership Forum Board as a board member and was previously the Chairman. He is also a 15-year member of Fort Worth Rotary Club. He is a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a former board member of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., and previously served as co-chair with his wife Beverly for the American Heart Association’s annual gala.

Powell is dedicated to promoting educational initiatives. He is a member of the Tarrant County College (TCC) Business Advisory Council and serves on the TCC Foundation College Scholarship Selection Committee. He previously served as chairman of the H.E.B. Chamber of Commerce and the H.E.B. ISD Education Foundation.

Powell is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He completed the American Bankers Association National Commercial Graduate Lending School at the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Powell is a recipient of the 2008 Leadership and Community Service Award from the H.E.B. Chamber of Commerce and the 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

Previous recipients of TCBA’s Banker of the Year Award include:

• George Bradford of The National Bank of Texas at Fort Worth (2010)
• Ben Gunn and Jim Murray of Summit Bank (2009)
• Danny Smith of Chase Bank (2008)
• Gene Gray of Frost Bank (2007)
• Lynn Montgomery of PlainsCapital Bank (2006)
• Phil Norwood of Summit Bank (2005)
• Sue Turnage of Frost Bank (2004)
• Bob Semple of Bank of Texas (2003)
• John Gavin of Wells Fargo (2002)
• Vernon Bryant of Southwest Bank (2001)
• L.O. “Buzz” Brightbill of Southwest Bank (2000)

About Tarrant County Bankers Association (TCBA)
The Tarrant County Bankers Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and serving the Tarrant County banking community. With approximately 200 members representing all levels of experience, TCBA is the largest regional bankers association in Texas. The organization facilitates development of leadership skills, fosters greater involvement of bankers within the industry, organizes banking community networking opportunities and establishes programs to enhance the Texas banking industry’s image. For more information, visit www.tarrantcountybankers.org.