Iowa Falls State Bank CEO Leads Instruction for BVU Finance Classes
1994 graduate, Doug Truex, shares insight with current Beavers
Two classes in the Dr. Harold Walter Siebens School of Business recently enjoyed the opportunity of participating in sessions led by Iowa Falls State Bank President/CEO Doug Truex, who graduated from Buena Vista University in 1994.
Truex led a group of 55 local investors who bought the bank from the Barlow family in 2022. The effort allowed Truex, his board members and employees, to make a seamless transition, one that went virtually unnoticed by their customers in the heart of the Hardin County community.
“My wife, Kayleen (a 1994 BV graduate who teaches English at Iowa Falls High School) and I have lived and worked in Iowa Falls for 26 years,” said Truex, who has served as Iowa Falls State Bank President for more than a decade. “This is where we raised our children and worked to strengthen our schools, businesses, and much more. This is our home.”
Truex shared some of his history with students before immersing the classes of Financial Markets and Institutions and Corporate Finance in an examination of Iowa banks and how they continue to serve their communities. He took students through a range of public documents and broke down lending ratios, assets, liabilities, yield curves, state and national banking trends, and more.
“I enjoyed taking students’ questions and hearing their perspectives on finance. I’m thankful to have been in their position as an undergraduate as my professors, like Dr. Jones, were always working to share with us the principles and theories that could serve as a foundation as we delved into our work experience.”
Iowa Falls State Bank President/CEO Doug Truex, a 1994 BVU graduate
BVU Professors Emeritus Dr. Paul Russell and Henry Hardt served as mentors for Truex while he sat in the chairs now occupied by students in the Peterson Trading Room. The instruction he received, coupled with Hardt’s recommendation, helped Truex begin his career as a Bank Examiner with the Iowa Division of Banking, an experience that continues to prove beneficial.
“It was such a positive experience for our students and me in having Doug lead a pair of classes,” said Dr. C. Kyle Jones, Assistant Professor of Finance. “Doug’s deep knowledge of the banking and finance community, coupled with an up-to-date sense of the Midwest agricultural, manufacturing, and retail economies, and his enthusiasm for our Siebens School of Business students made his day here such a worthwhile endeavor.
“Even after his departure, Doug has kept in touch with me to share his perspectives on teachable moments that have arisen in an ever-changing finance landscape,” Jones continued. “His attention to detail and ability to relate are invaluable qualities. We’re very grateful for the ways in which he’s connecting with BVU and making a difference for our students.”
“One of the things I have come to appreciate most since becoming the Dean of the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business is the importance of our alumni and partners in industry,” said Lisa Best. “Whether as guest instructors in our classrooms, mentors at our mock interviews or site visits, or as internship hosts, their contributions to our students’ education and professional socialization are invaluable.”
“It was a wonderful experience meeting Dr. Jones, Dean Best, and sharing what I could with BVU students,” Truex said. “I enjoyed taking students’ questions and hearing their perspectives on finance. I’m thankful to have been in their position as an undergraduate as my professors, like Dr. Jones, were always working to share with us the principles and theories that could serve as a foundation as we delved into our work experience. I’m making plans to come back to see the students again!”