On January 28, Lubbock-based FirstBank & Trust of Texas announced the retirement of CEO Barry Orr, effective March 31. He is the organizer and founder of the bank, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. Orr will continue to serve as chairman of the board for FirstBank & Trust, as well as on the board of Heartland Financial USA Inc.
“Over the past 25 years, to have had the opportunity to lead the people who make FirstBank & Trust what it is has been the most rewarding experience of my life,” Orr says.
Orr’s banking career began in 1976 with First Republic Bank in Lubbock. He served as senior vice president for Lubbock National Bank for 12 years prior to organizing the bank, originally named First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, in 1996. The bank launched with $10 million in assets, but Orr led the growth of the bank to more than $1 billion in assets before it was acquired by Heartland Financial USA Inc. in 2018. After acquiring AimBank in 2020, FirstBank & Trust has more than $3 billion in assets and is the largest of Heartland Financial USA’s 11 member banks.
“Barry’s accomplishments go far beyond the balance sheet,” says Bruce K. Lee, president and CEO of Heartland Financial USA Inc. “His leadership and the impact he’s had on the people he’s worked with and the customers he’s served truly distinguishes him.”
Orr has been a pillar of the community in Lubbock. He has a long history of community service, which includes chairing a $190 million bond election for the City of Lubbock, serving on the board of Lubbock Methodist Hospital, chairing the Covenant Medical Center Foundation, serving as president of the Greater Lubbock Rotary Club and chairing the Chancellor’s Council at Texas Tech University. He has served the banking industry as a board member of the Texas Bankers Association and currently serves as chairman of the board for the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance.
Effective April 1, Greg Garland, the bank’s president, will assume the duties of CEO and continue as president. Garland began his banking career in 1983 with Lubbock National Bank, serving as a senior vice president in lending. He joined FirstBank & Trust in 1996 and assumed the position of senior vice president and served as chief lending officer, working closely with Orr in leading and growing the bank. In 2003, Garland was promoted to president of FirstBank & Trust. He holds a BBA degree from Texas Tech University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
“The success of FirstBank and PrimeWest Mortgage has been driven through Barry’s vision, passion and desire to serve our customers,” Garland says. “His leadership has empowered our staff to exceed the expectations of our customers. With his vision and leadership, opportunities were embraced, creating a culture built to serve our customers and the communities where we’re located.”
Also effective April 1, Tim White will be promoted to president of the bank’s North region while Scott Wade continues in his role as president of the South region.
“I look forward to working closely with Greg and Tim to continue serving our customers and building upon the wonderful legacy Barry leaves behind,” Wade says.
Established in 1996, FirstBank & Trust, a wholly owned subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA Inc., operates more than 25 banking locations and specializes in business lending and deposit services. Heartland Financial USA Inc., with assets of $17.9 billion, operates 140 banking locations serving more than 100 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California.
