Garry D. Kleer, chairman of the Indiana Bankers Association, has been honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. The award was presented by State Rep. Brad Barrett on Sunday, Sept. 11, during the chairman’s banquet at the IBA Annual Convention in French Lick. The Sagamore of the Wabash is given to exemplary Hoosiers in recognition of distinguished statewide service.
Kleer is chairman, president and CEO of First Bank Richmond. His community involvement includes service on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County, Reid Health Foundation, Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Wayne County Foundation.
“Garry has done a wonderful job leading the IBA as the 2022 chairman,” said Amber R. Van Til, president and CEO of the IBA. “I’ve come to learn in my travels with Garry and my time spent in his institution that he’s well-loved by his employees. I think one of the markers of a true leader – a servant leader, which I know Garry to be – is how the employees view him and receive him.”
“I think Garry’s legacy will be building a better community through collaboration,” added Paul J. Witte, senior vice president and commercial lending manager at First Bank Richmond. “Garry is good at organizing people and bringing ideas together. He’s very approachable. He likes to hear what people are saying, he wants to hear what people are saying, and I guarantee you that he will leave the banking community, the IBA and First Bank Richmond a better place than when he found them.”
In August, Kleer was inducted into the 2022 class of IBA Leaders in Banking Excellence, the Association’s highest honor. He has also been recognized with the Indiana University-East Chancellor’s Medallion, Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Richmond/Wayne County Distinguished Community Leader, and Boys & Girls Clubs Man and Youth Award. In 2020, he was awarded the Indiana University Bicentennial Medal for distinguished service, and he currently is a member of the Large Community Bank Council of the Independent Community Bankers of America.
Kleer is a graduate of Indiana University, the Graduate School of Commercial Lending and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.