The board of directors of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently presented Joe Henkel, vice chairman of the board of Kingsville-based Kleberg Bank, with an IBAT board resolution recognizing more than 50 years of service as a True Texas Community Banker.

Henkel started his career at Kleberg Bank in 1970 while a student at Texas A&I University. After graduating, he continued working at the bank and was promoted to vice president before moving to the Houston area in 1978. In 1993, he was named CEO of an independent bank in El Paso, and in 1998 took the helm at Kleberg First National Bank as president and CEO. Henkel served there until his retirement in 2018, at which time he was elected vice chairman of Kleberg & Company Bankers Inc. He continues to serve in that capacity today.

Upon his retirement in 2018, Henkel was presented with the Otis West Lifetime Service Award by the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce for his vigorous advocacy for education and economic development in South Texas. His involvement in the community has included lengthy service in leadership positions with the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce, Kingsville Area Industrial Development Council and Foundation, Texas A&M University–Kingsville Foundation, CHRISTUS Spohn Foundation and Coastal Bend Community Foundation, as well as other civic organizations. Passionate about Texas community banking, Henkel also served on the IBAT Services board for six years, as well as the IBAT board of directors and strategic planning committee.

Established in 1905, Kleberg Bank serves Kingsville, Corpus Christi and South Texas.