Steve Scurlock accepts the 2022 IBAT Trailblazer Award from Christopher Williston, IBAT’s president and CEO.The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) recently honored Stephen Scurlock, IBAT’s director of government relations, with the association’s 2022 esteemed Trailblazer Award. He was honored in June during the 37th Annual Connecting Leaders Conference—the division’s flagship event—in Round Rock.

The Trailblazer Award provides special recognition to those who are especially supportive of the independent community banking industry. Nominees must support and exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of Texas, and exhibit the courage and independent spirit of Texas community bankers.

“A trailblazer comes along and creates a path for others to follow. He or she makes it easier for others to find their way and get to their destination successfully,” says Christopher Williston, IBAT president and CEO. “Perhaps the greatest thing I can say about Steve Scurlock is that every path he blazes on behalf of Texas community bankers is a path blazed with communication, respect, dignity and relationship.”

As IBAT’s director of government relations, Scurlock is directly responsible for staying on top of state and federal legislative and regulatory activities that affect community banking. He previously served in a similar capacity at the Texas Bankers Association, and prior to that was deputy banking commissioner of the Texas Department of Banking from 1987 through 1991.

Scurlock started his banking career as a teller while attending college. Following graduation from Texas Tech University with a BBA degree in finance, he served as a state bank examiner and went on to hold executive positions at several Texas banks. A native of Austin, Scurlock is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and the Texas Tech Intermediate School of Banking.