Brett Murphy Earns IBAT Excellence in Leadership Award and Board Advisor Appointment
Austin, TX (August 3, 2026)
Whitley Penn Audit Partner and Financial Institutions Industry Leader, Brett Murphy, has received the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) 2026 Excellence in Leadership Award and has been named Associate Member Executive Committee Advisor on the IBAT Leadership Division Board of Directors.
Murphy received the Excellence in Leadership Award on June 26 during the 41st Annual Connecting Leaders Conference in Round Rock, Texas. The award recognizes Leadership Division members who demonstrate outstanding commitment to community banking through volunteerism, advocacy, and active engagement with IBAT.
A longtime supporter of IBAT and its Leadership Division, Murphy has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles, including two terms as Leadership Division Region President, Associate Member Advisory Council member and Legislative Committee member. Over the past 14 years, he has recruited more than 50 members to the Leadership Division, attended nearly 70 IBAT events and helped establish the Congressional Visit Scholarship Program, which supports emerging community banking leaders participating in IBAT’s annual Washington, D.C., advocacy trip.
“I am incredibly honored to receive the Excellence in Leadership Award and am excited to continue serving IBAT in this new executive committee advisor role,” Murphy said. “Community banking is built on relationships, community involvement and strong leadership, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support an organization that invests so deeply in all three. I look forward to supporting and investing in the future of community banks across Texas.”
About Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Formed in 1974, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) represents Texas community banks. The Austin-based group is the largest state community banking organization in the nation with membership comprised of over 2,500 banks and branches in more than 700 Texas communities. Providing safe and responsible financial services to all Texans, IBAT member bank assets range in size from $28 million to $51 billion with combined assets statewide of $296 billion. IBAT member banks are committed to supporting and investing in their local communities. https://ibat.org/
About Whitley Penn LLP
For more than 40 years, Whitley Penn tax, audit, and advisory professionals have been dedicated to the success of our clients. Our mission is to provide transformative solutions that deliver valuable results and develop strong relationships. With an established presence in the Southwest and as an independent member of HLB International, we are strategically positioned to help you grow both locally and globally. At Whitley Penn, your future is our focus. www.whitleypenn.com.
