The president of Michigan City-based Horizon Bank is calling it a career.
James Neff, the president of Horizon Bancorp Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Horizon Bank, announced his retirement, which is effective March 31.
Craig Dwight, chairman and CEO of Horizon Bancorp. and Horizon Bank, will take over as president until someone is hired for the post. Horizon plans to hire an executive search firm to conduct a national search for Neff’s successor and advise the board of directors on potential internal and external candidates.
“With Jim’s distinguished banking career of nearly 44 years and more than two decades on our executive management team, Horizon has benefitted greatly from his significant contributions, and we look forward to his continued friendship as we wish him the very best in retirement,” Dwight said.
Horizon also announced several executive appointments and promotions, effective April 1.
Noe Najera will be promoted to executive vice president, responsible for consumer, mortgage, and mortgage-warehouse lending, as well as CRA and fair lending programs.
Lynn Kerber, executive vice president, will be promoted to chief commercial banking officer upon Dennis Kuhn’s appointment as Horizon’s regional president for Southwest Michigan.
Dwight also expressed confidence in the bank’s executive promotions.
“In naming Noe, Lynn and Dennis to their new roles, we are able to draw from Horizon’s deep bench of highly experienced bankers to ensure that all our talented advisors have the leadership and resources they need to serve growing numbers of consumers and businesses in Indiana, Michigan and throughout the Midwest,” he said.
Najera joined Horizon in 2016 and has served as senior vice president, consumer lending and CRA/fair lending and assumed additional responsibilities for retail mortgage lending in 2018. He has over 20 years of consumer and mortgage lending experience.
Kerber joined Horizon in 2018 and has served as executive vice president, senior commercial credit officer since January 2021.
Kuhn, a 37-year-industry veteran, in his new regional president role, will be responsible for growth in Southwest Michigan. He joined Horizon in 2010 to establish its Kalamazoo office and served as executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer since 2017.
