The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Rogers Pope Jr., vice chairman and CEO of Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust, with the 2021 IBAT Chairman’s Award. Brad Tidwell, IBAT’s 2020-21 chairman and president and CEO of Henderson-based VeraBank, chose this year’s honoree and bestowed the prestigious award to Pope in September during IBAT’s 2021 Convention in Austin. In the best “Team of Rivals” spirit, this year’s Chairman’s Award is unique when considering that Pope is Tidwell’s biggest competitor in their banks’ respective markets.
The IBAT Chairman’s Award is the association’s highest honor, selected solely at the discretion of the IBAT chairman. It is given to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the community banking industry, going above and beyond the call of duty.
“This individual really epitomizes what it means to be a community banker,” Tidwell told the audience during the ceremony. “It’s not often that you get to recognize someone with an award as prestigious as this one.” Tidwell went on to point out some of the ties that bind the two community bankers. Both Pope and Tidwell were raised in Longview, attended the same church and high school, and went on to become each other’s biggest competitors in Texas community banking. In spite of that competition, and due in some measure to their membership in IBAT, the two share a camaraderie that nurtures respect and admiration for each other.
“This means a lot coming from [Brad],” Pope responded while overcoming his surprise at being honored. “I guarantee you, Brad is a fierce competitor, but a great community banker. He’s a valued friend and I’m honored, humbled and touched by [this award].”
Pope concluded his remarks by relating to the audience what he tells each new employee at Texas Bank and Trust: “When people ask you what you do for a living, do not tell them you’re a banker—tell them you’re a community banker. To me, there’s a big difference. I’m so proud to be a community banker, so proud to be a part of this organization and I am truly honored to receive this award.”
A fourth-generation banker, Pope has been in community banking for nearly 30 years and an IBAT member for the past 20 years. He has served on the IBAT board of directors, including a year as chairman (2015-16), as well as chair of the organization’s legislative committee, political action committee and its subsidiary, IBAT Services Inc. He has also served on the board of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and TIB-The Independent BankersBank, as well as on the federal delegate board for the Independent Community Bankers of America.
Pope has been very active in support of his community and numerous charitable causes. He is past chairman of the board for both the Longview Chamber of Commerce and Longview Regional Medical Center and currently is vice chairman of the Bruce McMillan Jr. Foundation on the Good Shepherd Medical Center Foundation board. He has served as president of the Greater Longview United Way, Rotary Club of Longview and Longview Area Baylor Club. Other boards he has served on include the Buckner Foundation, East Texas chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, Gregg County division of the American Heart Association, Junior Achievement, Carter BloodCare and the Longview Public Library Foundation. The Boy Scouts of America honored Pope in 2012 with the “Distinguished Citizen Award.” He is active in his church, serving as deacon, finance chair and children’s Sunday school teacher. He and his wife, Kellie, have five children.
Pope earned a BBA degree in finance and financial planning from Baylor University and his Juris Doctor degree from Baylor Law School. He graduated from Southwestern Graduate School of Banking with distinction and as class valedictorian in 2001. He is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association National Graduate Trust School and has received the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation. An attorney specializing in banking law before joining Texas Bank and Trust, Pope is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and Texas Association of Bank Counsel.
Caption: IBAT 2020-21 Chairman Brad Tidwell, president and CEO of VeraBank, presents the 2021 IBAT Chairman’s Award to Rogers Pope Jr., vice chairman and CEO of Texas Bank and Trust. Unable to attend the awards ceremony in person, Pope connected with the live event in Austin via a Zoom link from his bank headquarters in Longview.
