Local banker elected to statewide board

The Leadership Division of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) elected new board members during the 33rd Annual IBAT Leadership Conference at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in June. Abbey Carnes, assistant vice president/director of marketing and sales at Ozona National Bank, was elected Region 7 president, which includes 20-plus counties in Central/Southwest Texas. She will hold the position through 2020.

The nearly 700-member IBAT Leadership Division is divided into 13 regions, each of which hosts education and networking events for community bankers in the area throughout the year. Each region has its own president, who also serves as the region’s board member.

Carnes has been with Ozona National Bank for four years, serving as a financial sales representative and lending assistant prior to her current position. She participated in the Federal Reserve’s BOLT (Banking on Leaders of Tomorrow) program. Previously, she worked in the hospitality industry. In addition to this industry leadership role, Carnes is extremely active in her community. She is a board member of the Ozona Chamber of Commerce and has been a mentor to an at-risk student for several years now. She is also a founder of the Hospitality and Visitors Association of New Braunfels board and served as the inaugural director.

While studying history, technical writing and religious studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Carnes met her husband. Married for four years, she enjoys traveling, cooking, her dogs and floating the river as much as possible.

The complete list of Leadership Division Board members can be found on IBAT's website. The IBAT Leadership Division was founded in 1985 and is dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s leaders in community banking. 

Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation with membership comprised of more than 2,000 banks and branches in 700 Texas communities. Providing safe and responsible financial services to all Texans, IBAT member bank assets range in size from $21 million to $31 billion with combined assets statewide of $193 billion. IBAT member banks are committed to supporting and investing in their local communities.