STATEHOUSE (May 18, 2017) — State Reps. Bill Friend (R-Macy) and Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) honored First Farmers Bank and Trust President and CEO Gene Miles for his contributions to the agricultural banking community with a resolution on Thursday.
Miles, who has been working at First Farmers Bank and Trust for over 35 years, was recently recognized nationally when he received the Bruning Award for his leadership and dedication to provide financial guidance to farmers and rural business owners across the country. This award is given by the American Banker Association Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking, and recipients are chosen based on their efforts to improve financial services for farmers, related industries and smaller communities.
“Gene is no stranger to hard work. He grew up on his family farm, working with their grain purchasing operation, before becoming a bank manager and eventually the president and CEO,” Friend said. “His desire to learn and grow led First Farmers Bank and Trust to be one of the largest agricultural banking lenders this side of the Mississippi River.”
In addition to working at First Farmers Bank and Trust, Miles serves as the head of the finance committee and executive board member of St. Joseph Hospital; president and board co-chair of the Miami County Community Foundation; treasurer, board member and member of the asset development and grants committees of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation; and as a director of the Miami County Economic Development Committee.
“Indiana is fortunate to have such a driven and knowledgeable individual working on behalf of our state’s agricultural industry,” Karickhoff said. “Our economy relies heavily on the farming community, and Gene has played a vital role in helping our hardworking farmers succeed.”
First Farmers Bank and Trust is located in Converse and has 35 branches throughout Indiana and Illinois, serving over 60,000 clients.
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Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
A high-resolution photo of Friend can be downloaded by clicking here.
Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) represents House District 30,
which includes portions of Grant and Howard counties.
A high-resolution photo of Karickhoff can be downloaded by clicking here.
