Truex: A Legacy of Leading With Kindness
Doug Truex, president and CEO of Iowa Falls State Bank, has worked to continue the legacy of Iowa Falls State Bank as an independent community bank. He said there is “no greater sense of pride” than looking around at his community and seeing the families and businesses he has helped. He emphasized the vitality of relationships, saying “Spreadsheets do not inspire organizational success, leaders do.”
Truex said involvement with the IBA has helped him be a better leader, peer resource and advocate. When he isn’t working, he enjoys traveling. He strives to treat everyone in his life with kindness, and lives by the quote, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
When looking back on your banking career, what achievement are you most proud of and why?
In 2022, I was presented with an opportunity to lead a group of investors to purchase Iowa Falls State Bank from the Barlow Family. I was able to convert a 25-year career spent developing professional credibility, respect and community relationships into “Scenic Community Bancshares Corporation,” owned by 54 local shareholders and a strategic bank partner to continue the legacy of Iowa Falls State Bank as an independent community bank.
Describe one life experience that taught you a lesson that you apply to your banking career.
Early in my career, I was “downsized” during a bank merger. The experience taught me that when one door closes, another opens; and you interview for your next position with every professional and personal interaction you have.
What piece of advice would you give to your past self or anyone considering a career in banking?
Banking initially feels analytical, a skill that comes easily in your youth. Emphasize interpersonal skill development early in your career, as those are what will drive leadership and professional growth and compound as you get older and your cognition naturally diminishes. Relationships and life experience drive professional success in the long-term. Spreadsheets do not inspire organizational success, leaders do.
What is your best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career?
There is no greater sense of pride than being in a community and seeing businesses that you have helped start, homes you have helped families into, people you have helped through both terrible and happy times, and community successes you have helped accomplish. The recurring theme is “help,” and the impact you can have with a career in banking is unlimited.
how does getting involved with the iowa bankers association help you and your bank?
The resources for technical skills education, leadership programs, and networking opportunities through the Iowa Bankers Association are unlike any other organization that I have encountered. It has been less about becoming a better banker, and more about being a better leader, peer resource, and advocate. The IBA’s programming is an essential element of Iowa Falls State Bank’s banker development plans across all career stages. It is hard to imagine where else we would go for the resources the IBA provides so effectively.
when you’re not at work, what do you like to do most?
I’ve recently rediscovered my love of travel and hope it can become more of a focus in my work/life balance.
what is a quote or guiding principle you live by?
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted,” from Aesop’s Fable “The Lion and the Mouse.” It emphasizes that even the smallest gestures of kindness hold value and can have significant impact. This principle applies to family, coworkers, customers and complete strangers to improve the world around you in lovely and profound ways.