Barry Orr announces retirement

FirstBank & Trust of Texas announced the retirement of CEO Barry Orr, effective March 31. Orr is the organizer and founder of FirstBank & Trust, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.

FirstBank & Trust, originally named FirstBank Lubbock Bancshares, opened in 1996 with $10 million in assets. By building relationships and serving the communities of West Texas, Orr led the growth of the bank to more than $1 billion in assets before it was acquired by Heartland Financial USA in 2018. 

After acquiring AimBank in December 2020, FirstBank & Trust has more than $3 billion in assets and is the largest of Heartland’s 11 member banks.

“Over the last 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,” said Orr. He will continue to lead and serve as chairman of the board of directors for FirstBank & Trust and on the board of directors for Heartland Financial USA.

“Barry’s accomplishments go far beyond the balance sheet,” said Bruce K. Lee, president and CEO of Heartland Financial USA. “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 he currently serves as chairman of the board for the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance.

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 First Bank Lubbock Bancshares.

Effective April 1, FirstBank & Trust President Greg Garland will assume the duties of CEO and continue as president. 

Also effective April 1, Tim White will be promoted to president of the North Region. Scott Wade continues in his role as president of the South Region.