Horizon Bancorp (NASDAQ GM: HBNC) announced Robert C. Dabagia, will retire as Chairman and a Director of the Company on June 30, 2013. He has served as the Company’s Chairman since 1998 and as a Director of the Company since 1986 and Director of the Company’s predecessor Citizens Bank since 1980. Mr. Dabagia will assume the title of Chairman Emeritus upon his retirement.
“Mr. Dabagia has provided leadership, guidance and inspiration throughout the years, generously giving of his time and expertise to the company and the community,” said Craig M. Dwight, President and CEO of Horizon Bancorp. “As Chairman, he has presided over a period of unprecedented growth for the Company and his more than 50 years of involvement with the banking industry has provided a valuable perspective. We are very pleased Mr. Dabagia has accepted the honorary position of Chairman Emeritus and that we will continue to have access to his wealth of knowledge and experience.”
A Michigan City, Indiana native, Mr. Dabagia graduated from Elston High School and attended Indiana University where he was class president in his freshman, sophomore and senior years, and president of Sigma Nu fraternity. He was named to the university’s Board of Aeons, a distinction reserved for only a few students each year who have demonstrated high academic performance and service to the university.
Following graduation from the university, he joined Northern Trust in 1960 and rose to the position of Vice President. He left Northern Trust in 1977 to join the Bank of California as an executive officer; in 1980 he returned to Michigan City to serve as President of Citizens Bank, a predecessor of Horizon Bank.
Mr. Dabagia served as Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiary Horizon Bank NA until July 1, 2001. His extensive involvement in charitable, business and civic organizations include roles as Chairman of the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way Campaign Chairman, a member of Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, St. Anthony Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the Michigan City Port Authority Board of Directors.
Horizon Bancorp is a locally owned, independent, commercial bank holding company serving Northern and Central Indiana and Southwest Michigan through its commercial banking subsidiary, Horizon Bank, which also operates under the “Heartland Community Bank a Horizon Bank Company” name in certain markets. Horizon also offers mortgage-banking services throughout the Midwest. Horizon Bancorp may be reached online at www.accesshorizon.com. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol HBNC.