The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Charles T. “Chuck” and Mary Ellen Doyle with the IBAT Chairman’s Award. Chuck Doyle, founding director and chairman emeritus of Texas First Bank, as well as chairman of Texas Independent Bancshares, along with his wife, Mary Ellen Doyle, were presented the prestigious award on October 7 during IBAT’s 50th Annual Convention at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk.

The IBAT Chairman’s Award is the association’s highest honor. It is given to individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the community banking industry, going above and beyond the call of duty.

Charles T. “Chuck” Doyle has retired from the boards of Visa U.S.A., Visa International, Inovant, Certegy and Q2 eBanking. He served as the first community banker on the Federal Reserve’s Federal Advisory Council to the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., from 1996 to 1998 and served six years as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas. He was the organizing director of The Independent BankersBank and served on the board of directors for the Independent Community Bankers of America for 12 years. In 2015, he was inducted into the Texas Bankers’ Hall of Fame.

Chuck’s wife, Mary Ellen Doyle, served as the first female president of United Way Galveston County Mainland and has been a constant advocate for community banking. Over the decades, she has devoted her time and talents to furthering the mission of community banking by actively demonstrating its importance within families and communities throughout the Galveston region.