Logansport booster Russell receives Distinguished Alumni award
May 4, 2006
KOKOMO, Ind.—Annette Russell, president and CEO of Security Federal Savings Bank (SFSB) in Logansport, will receive the Indiana University Kokomo Alumni Association’s 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award May 9. The award will be presented during IU Kokomo’s 37th annual Commencement ceremonies.
Russell earned a Bachelor of Science in Business at IU Kokomo in 1994. The award recognizes her deep commitment to the Logansport/Cass County community and to the Kokomo campus.
“Annette is a highly visible role model, exemplifying the levels you can reach with an IU degree,” said Deanna Crispen, B.A. ’98, who nominated Russell. “She is the only female bank president in Cass County. She is highly respected by her peers, employees, and customers.”
As a former member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Board, Russell helped guide IU Kokomo’s Kresge Science Initiative campaign in Cass County, raising funds for a science equipment endowment. She is active in local IUAA chapter activities, plus such civic organizations as Rotary, United Way, and Workforce Development Strategies, Inc.
Russell chairs a board focused on local economic development for the Logansport/Cass County Economic Development Foundation (LCCEDF). “She has already put together lofty, but attainable goals for the foundation,” said LCCEDF President Nolan “Skip” Kuker Jr. “Annette has decided that the future of our community is so very important that she has taken a year-long sabbatical from other community boards so she could put all her efforts here. She is a widely admired individual, and I can see why she would get this award.”
Security Federal Savings Bank hired Russell as a staff accountant in 1991 and promoted her to controller that same year. She later advanced to senior vice president/chief financial officer, and assumed the president’s office in 2003 upon the death of her mentor Richard Cassidy Jr.
Brian Shockney, B.S. ’91, president and CEO of Logansport’s Memorial Hospital, served on Security Federal’s board of directors at that time. “I was able to witness the internal resolve and strength of Annette as she led the organization through this difficult time and ensured the continued success of the bank,” Shockney said. Slow to take sole credit for her successes and quick to recognize her employees’ contributions, Russell “is respected by all who work and serve with her,” he added. “She recognizes the importance of balance in life and ensuring health for her body, mind, and spirit.”
Maureen Prentice, current senior vice president of SFSB, praised Russell’s diligent work, not only to provide financial services that meet community needs, but also “to create a community full of endless opportunities.” Leading by example, Russell has inspired bank employees to be involved in several civic activities, Prentice said, such as the annual “Light Up Logansport” parade,” financial literacy classes offered in both English and Spanish, and service through local not-for-profit organizations.
Shockney said he respected Russell’s resolve “to stick by her community when so many other opportunities across the nation are available to her. This in itself defines her love for community and the people who share her success.”
