A look back: Going fast was clutch
Our basic theme was consistent: “How are you doing and what can TBA do to help you?”
Well, here we are nearing the end of my serving as Chairman of the Board of the Texas Bankers Association. Prior to assuming the Chairman role, I consulted several previous chairmen to gain their insight and request advice. Each of them had very valuable information to share with me. Each had their own issues and challenges during their tenure as chairman and were gracious enough to spend some time with me to discuss the issues they faced and decisions that were made to get our great organization to where it needed to be. While the issues and challenges varied, one theme was constant — get going fast because the year will pass before you know it. Understanding that fact was crucial to how I approached the year.
Looking back
As you may recall, Chip Jenkins, who preceded me as Chairman, was saddled from the very beginning of his tenure with the COVID-related shut-down of businesses and travel. However, Chip had in-place several priority items that were very important to our members and the Association.
While working under the ever changing COVID protocols, Chris Furlow and his team at TBA were successfully implementing the priority items Chip had envisioned. As I visited with Chris prior to assuming the Chairmanship, it became readily apparent that despite all things COVID, the TBA team was making progress and moving forward on many priorities such as:
- developing the Magnet program,
- the expansion of cybersecurity resources,
- growing our membership,
- providing membership services,
- finalizing plans for a new TBA building, and
- recruiting new employees.
During this time, TBA took on the additional task of being a valuable resource for information regarding the new Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan program put in place by Congress and the President. Implementa- tion of this program was designated to the SBA, however, our banks took on the largest role to quickly and efficiently disburse the PPP funds to our customers and communities.
The role TBA played in providing timely updates and information to our members is the exact reason the association exists — to serve our membership. Like each of our banks, TBA operated remotely leveraging technology to spread the latest final interim rule pronounced from the SBA.
Keep on keeping on
Based on the above, I did not see a pressing need for new priorities or projects. My directions to Chris were to deliver on the priorities and projects that were in the works. And the TBA team did just that.
Get going fast
The one area that was understandably missing was the in-person contact with our membership and prospective members.
Fortunately with COVID restrictions initially subsiding, I thought of the advice I received from one prior chairman — get going fast. Chris was in total agreement and off we went — Texas Tour style.
In addition to the Tour, Chris and I visited with dozens of bankers in small groups and in their banks. Our basic theme was consistent: “How are you doing and what can TBA do to help you?” From Texarkana to El Paso, from McAllen to Dalhart — with multiple stops in between — TBA reconnected with our members, working tirelessly to bring value to your membership by understanding your current needs as the new normal began.
Meanwhile back in Austin, the teams pushed forward with construction of our new building and other initiatives. I am pleased to report the Association is in full-service mode.
It was truly a great experience, and I am privileged and honored to play a small part in serving the industry that has been so good to me.
Chairman Rust’s official role with TBA expires May 31, 2022. We thank him for his leadership and service.