Donald R. Neel retired from his duties as president and CEO of United Fidelity Bank, Evansville, effective Sept. 6. He was with the bank for 31 years, including 24 as president and CEO. During his three-decade tenure, the bank grew from four locations with $120 million in total assets to 23 locations with $6.4 billion in assets. Upon retirement from his daily duties with the bank (originally known as Evansville Federal Savings Bank), he transitioned to serving as vice chairman of the board. Neel is a past president of the American Heart Association and has been active with the Deaconess Foundation’s HeartSavers program. He is also a member of the Evansville Sports Corporation, a member of the board of advisors for the Romain College of Business at the University of Southern Indiana and a member of the USI Alumni Association. Chief Credit Officer Daniel Lee is serving as interim CEO while a national search is conducted for a permanent successor.
Kirby Davidson will retire from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin – Madison effective Dec. 31 after 24 years with the organization, two-thirds of that time as president and CEO. During Davidson’s tenure as president and CEO, the school expanded its programming, adding four additional specialty schools (IT Management, IT Security, Sales & Marketing and Digital Banking) in addition to the HR and Financial Managers schools that were introduced in the early 2000s. Davidson, along with key faculty leaders, also worked closely with the Wisconsin School of Business so that graduates of GSB’s primary Graduate Banking School now receive the prestigious Executive Leadership Certificate from the Wisconsin School of Business – the highest leadership certificate available from UW – in addition to their GSB diploma.
Matt Ayers retired as a director from State Bank, Brownsburg, in April, closing the book on a 50-year career with the bank, including 26 years as its president and CEO. He joined the bank in 1974 as assistant cashier, working his way up to assistant vice president and branch manager before being named president and CEO in 1983. Ayers stepped down as the bank’s head in April 2009. During his 50 years, the bank expanded from two locations with $19 million in assets to 10 locations and $850 million in assets.
John Macke, executive vice president, chief financial officer for Merchants Bank, Carmel, retired from the bank effective Sept. 30 after more than 30 total years in mortgage lending. He joined the bank in 2017, playing an instrumental role in its initial public offering and supporting its growth from $3 billion in assets to $18 billion.
Deborah S. Moyars will retire from Farmers & Merchants Bank, Boswell, effective Dec. 31. She first worked for the bank from 1983-1989, then came back in 1998, ending as vice president, cashier and BSA officer. Moyars volunteers at her local county 4-H fairs among various other banking volunteer activities. She will end her career with 32 years in banking.
Deborah Shipp will retire from GBC Bank, Greenfield, effective Jan. 11. She started in the bank’s bookkeeping department at its main office in January 1980. Shipp will end her 45-year career as vice president, branch administrator.
