James “Jim” Harold Cousins, president and CEO of the Indiana Bankers Association from 2000-06, passed away on March 2 in Kettering, Ohio. He was 82 years old.

Cousins’ background was in politics and advocacy. After a stint teaching high school while he earned his master’s degree from the University of California-Los Angeles, where he had also earned his bachelor’s degree, Cousins got involved in political campaigns. He then moved to the governance side of politics, serving in the offices of Reps. Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., and Jerry Patterson, D-Calif.

After lobbying work on behalf of credit unions and savings & loan institutions, Cousins moved into association work, continuing his commitment to fostering economic stability and growth. He joined the Indiana League of Savings Institutions in 1993, ending as president and CEO when the League merged with the IBA in January 2000. Cousins stayed on with the IBA as executive vice president, director of government relations, before being promoted to president and CEO later that year. He would lead the Association through a second merger, this time with the Community Bankers Association of Indiana, in October 2006. He retired June 30, 2007.

In Cousins’ farewell message in the June 2007 issue of Hoosier Banker, he reflected back on his nearly 15 years in the state, saying:

“I could not imagine a more enjoyable and rewarding professional experience. From the first day and without interruption, I have been blessed with a steady stream of supportive elected leadership in both the Indiana League and the IBA. Board members and elected officers alike have given unselfishly of their time in service to the banking industry. I have also been blessed with a staff of the most dedicated and professional people I have ever encountered. To the IBA members, directors, officers and staff, I want to express my deep appreciation for allowing me to be part of something very special.”

He and his wife were guests of honor at a retirement reception the IBA hosted for him on his final days in office. Approximately 100 friends and associates from different facets of Cousins’ career came to wish him well in retirement. He was honored as a Distinguished Hoosier by then-Gov. Mitch Daniels and received several resolutions commending him on his notable career, presented by representatives of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and the American Bankers Association. Cousins held honorary positions with the Indiana Financial Institutions Group Insurance Trust, the Indiana Legal Foundation, America’s Community Bankers and the State Association of Trade Executives.

He is survived by his wife and son.