In September, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Keith Hughey, founder of J. Keith Hughey Co., with its prestigious IBAT President’s Award. The honor is bestowed each year at the sole discretion of President and CEO Christopher Williston to an associate member who goes above and beyond in serving the community banking industry and IBAT. The recipient demonstrates an ongoing commitment that extends well beyond delivery of services to IBAT members. It also includes consistent and passionate support of the community banking industry overall.
“As I considered candidates for this year’s president’s award one individual jumped off the page,” Williston noted at the awards ceremony. “[Hughey] is a gentleman who has been a leader of leaders in our industry. He has been on the frontlines of succession planning, strategic planning and leadership development in community banks in Texas and around the nation. [Hughey] even played these roles for IBAT in the midst of our own leadership transition at IBAT.”
Hughey, founder of the consulting practice that bears his name, has been a management consultant since 1977. Prior to entering the consulting ranks, he was assistant manager of the profit planning group at Texas Commerce Bank in Houston. During his four-decade career as a consultant, Hughey has served as senior consultant and manager of the business strategies practice of JMFA (2012–15), principle in the WHY Group (2003–08), executive vice president of FinSer Capital Corp. (1990–93) and executive vice president of Profit Technologies Corp., a division of Banc Systems Inc. (1977–80).
During the first 22 years of Hughey’s professional career, he specialized in devising and implementing risk management models and operational strategies and protocols for financial institutions. Beginning in 1996, his focus shifted in the direction of human capital. Today, he assists clients of all sizes and across varied industries with issues of corporate governance, succession planning, management and leadership development, organizational health and human systems, and strategic planning.
Hughey is the author of the widely read weekly e-newsletter, Monday Morning Musings, a noted speaker and guest lecturer. In 2006, he joined the faculty of the SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University, where he teaches classes in strategic planning and leadership. He is also a member of the executive committee and the advisory board of the commercial banking program at the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Hughey is an honors graduate of the University of Houston.
“For the past 1,146 Mondays, [Keith] has challenged the hearts and minds of community bankers everywhere with Monday Morning Musings on leadership, work, faith and those devilish riddlers,” Williston observed.
Among his awards and recognitions, Hughey was named “Outstanding Board Member” by the Texas Association of Appraisals Districts in 2012, having served on the board of the Bexar Appraisal District from 2001 to 2019. In 2017, he was recognized as a “Partner in Success” by Financial Women in Texas.
