The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently announced that K. Kyle Irwin, president of Gruver-based Western Bank, has been elected chairman of the IBAT board of directors for 2022–23. He officially accepted this position during the association’s 48th annual convention held September 24–27 in Fort Worth. In addition to Irwin, members of the community banking organization elected Christopher Doyle (president and CEO at Texas City-based Texas First Bank) IBAT’s chairman-elect and Tracy Harris (president and CEO of La Grange-based National Bank & Trust) secretary-treasurer.
Irwin, Doyle and Harris will serve on the IBAT executive committee alongside Tom Sellers (chairman and CEO of Sulphur Springs-based Alliance Bank), immediate past chairman; Cory Flencher (Brenham-based Citizens State Bank), chair of the IBAT Leadership Division; Hazem A. Ahmed (Houston area president at McKinney-based Independent Financial), chair of the IBAT Education Foundation; and Christopher Williston VI, IBAT’s president and CEO.
“Tom, as chairman, you distinguished yourself as a judicious steward of our organization and never flinched in the face of difficult decisions,” IBAT wrote in a recent newsletter saluting Sellers’ year of service as IBAT chair. “Wisdom is knowing what to do next; courage is doing it. You proved to be both wise and courageous. As you look back on your time with us, please know that our achievements would not have been possible without you at the helm.”
With a banking career that spans nearly 28 years, Irwin has served Gruver and the surrounding community at Western Bank—and previously Gruver State Bank—for 23 years. He has selflessly given to the community banking industry for years, serving as chairman of the IBAT Leadership Division, as well as being a member of the IBAT board and executive committee. Additionally, he was an advisory director for the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado and also served as president of North Panhandle Bankers Association. He is active in his community as well, currently involved in the Lions Club and as treasurer of Gruver United Methodist Church.
Irwin received a finance degree from Texas Tech University and is a graduate of the Texas Tech School of Banking and Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. He and his wife, Kimberly, have three children, one daughter-in-law and a granddaughter. In his personal time, Irwin enjoys the outdoors, playing sports and spending time with his family.
Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation, with membership comprised of more than 4,600 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities. Providing safe and responsible financial services to all Texans, IBAT member bank assets range in size from $26 million to $44 billion with combined assets statewide of nearly $193 billion. IBAT member banks are committed to supporting and investing in their local communities.
