Paul Johnson Receives 2007 James A. Leach Award

Algona banker Paul H. Johnson was named the 2007 James A. Leach Leadership Award recipient at the 2007 IBA Convention on Monday, September 17, at the Polk County Convention Complex in downtown Des Moines.

Paul is retired President and CEO of Iowa State Bank in Algona. The bank also has offices in Corwith, Ruthven and Wesley. Iowa State Bank is part of the Mid-Iowa Bancshares Company financial services holding company of Algona.

“Paul Johnson is most deserving of the Leach Leadership Award,” said IBA President and CEO John Sorensen. “He grew his institution over 30 years and has been an unparalleled advocate for his community, his industry, and our great state,” Sorensen added.

“When Jeff Plagge called me to inform me of my selection for this award, I was stunned at the news,” Johnson said. “I never expected to be included in such distinguished company as the previous seven bankers chosen for the award.”

Johnson grew his bank’s assets from $16 million in 1974, when he became executive vice president, to $196 million in 2002 when he retired as Mid-Iowa Bancshares President. In 1997-1998 Johnson served as IBA Board Chairman. From 1999 until 2002 he was the Iowa membership chairman for the American Bankers Association (ABA). Following retirement he served as a Member Relations Consultant to the American Bankers Association.

Johnson has served in many Algona-area community organizations including Algona Rotary Club, Algona Industrial Development Corp. and Sullivan Building Foundation, Inc. as President. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the Howard & Katherine Hoenk Foundation from 1991 to 2000.

Paul H. Johnson and his wife, Neva, are active members of First Lutheran Church in Algona. Paul has been a member of the Algona Barbershop Chorus for 33 years. The couple have four children; Mathew (Elizabeth), Elisabeth Johnson, Peter (Janelle) and Anna Johnson (Joerg Albrecht).

The Iowa Bankers Association created the James A. Leach Leadership Award in 2000 to honor Iowa bankers for outstanding service to the financial services industry. Professionals in the financial services industry in Iowa nominate their peers for the award based on significant contributions to the industry. Nominees must be bankers with a proven history of leadership within their industry and community.

Past award recipients include Alan Tubbs of Maquoketa State Bank and Ohnward Bancshares; Oliver Hansen of Liberty Trust & Savings Bank in Durant; Edward Tubbs of Maquoketa State Bank and Ohnward Bancshares; Arnie Schultz of Grundy National Bank in Grundy Center; O. Jay Tomson of First Citizens National Bank in Mason City; Don Carmody of Henry County Bank in Mount Pleasant and Great River Financial Group holding company in Burlington; and in 2006, Jeff Plagge of First National Bank of Waverly.

Picture: “Paul & Jeff” CUTLINE: Paul Johnson, left, accepts the 2007 James A. Leach Award from 2006 recipient, Jeff Plagge (right) and the 2007 IBA Convention.