Florida bankers recognized for outstanding
contributions to banking industry and their communities
In keeping with tradition, the FBA recently presented awards to a select group of deserving bankers at its 134th Annual Meeting, which took place in Orlando earlier this month. The distinguished awards recognize individuals for their dedication and contributions to the FBA and Florida’s banking industry. The 2022 award winners are:
- Ginger Martin, President & CEO, American National Bank (Oakland Park) was presented with the FBA Lifetime Achievement Award. Established in 2011, this award is determined by the FBA Executive Committee and presented on a periodic basis to an individual or individuals who have dedicated their professional lives to the banking industry in general and has had a significant impact on the Florida banking industry specifically. Martin has served for over 25 years with American National Bank, the oldest and largest community bank headquartered in Broward County. She serves on the FBA BancServ board and the board for FBA’s School of Banking, and is very dedicated to the FBA’s Women in Leadership Conference.
- Greg Littleton, President & CEO, Citizens Bank & Trust (Lake Wales), was named Banker of the Year. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates the highest level of commitment to the banking industry and service to his or her community. With service to FBA dating back to 2003, Littleton has served two terms on Florida BankPac, the association’s nonprofit political action committee, and two terms on the FBA board. He currently serves as immediate past chair for the BancServ, Inc. Board of Directors and is beginning his second term on the government relations council. Littleton is a strong supporter of the FBA’s endorsed partner program, which works with a selected group of highly qualified vendors that serve the banking industry. He is highly respected by his peers, bank colleagues and community partners.
- Kelly Caldwell, Jr., President & CEO, Caldwell Trust Company (Venice), was presented with the Chairman’s Award. This award is given to a recipient selected by the outgoing FBA Chairman, in this case Fab Brumley, to honor someone who has gone above and beyond to support the FBA. Caldwell is Chair of the FBA Trust Executive Committee, which governs the Trust & Wealth Management Division seeing to the specialized needs of banks with trust departments and stand-alone trust companies. As Chair, Caldwell’s goal is to build relationships with trust bankers across the state, promoting collaboration in advocating for the industry and shaping new legislation for emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and electronic wills and notaries. Caldwell has been instrumental in establishing a new program for Florida Trust leaders during the division’s annual conference, which aims to more closely link Florida’s trust and banking industries.
- Mary Usategui, CFO, Professional Bank (Coral Gables), was given the Horizon Award. Usategui was selected because of her outstanding dedication to the FBA and the goals and objectives set forth by the association. Usategui was recognized as a banker who has given above and beyond the expectations of others. For “soaring” above expectations, the Horizon Award winner was presented with a golden eagle trophy. Usategui has been an FBA BancServ board member since June 2020. She is highly knowledgeable on bank technology and vendor management issues, as well as all areas of bank operations. Usategui has also been a dedicated advocate for the Florida banking industry by attending several trips to Washington D.C., over the years.
“The FBA is proud to recognize these outstanding leaders of Florida’s banking industry who represent the great work of all Florida bankers,” said FBA President and CEO Alex Sanchez. “Their dedication to the banking industry, to the state of Florida and to their communities serves as a tremendous example for each of us in our own personal and professional lives.”
The Florida Bankers Association (FBA) serves as the primary resource through which Florida financial service providers work in unity to influence the state and federal legal regulatory environment in which they serve their customers. Established in 1888, the FBA is one of Florida’s oldest trade associations and has a membership of more than 250 financial institutions ranging in size from small community banks, thrifts and trust companies, to medium-sized banks operating in several parts of the state, to large regional financial institutions that are headquartered in Florida or outside the state. Deposits of the members of the FBA make up 95 percent of total deposits in the state of Florida.
