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AUSTIN, TX –Kelly Preston, Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director at FirstBank Southwest (“FBSW”), has been selected as a recipient of the Emerging Leader Award by the Texas Bankers Foundation. The award will be presented at the Texas Bankers Association’s 141st Annual Convention during a special awards luncheon.
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes rising leaders in the Texas banking industry who demonstrate a commitment to leadership, service, and making a meaningful impact within their organizations and communities.
“Kelly represents the very best of what this industry needs as it looks to the future,” said Andy Marshall, President and CEO of FirstBank Southwest. “Her leadership is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and a genuine care for people. She brings those values into every part of her work, and we’re proud to see her recognized by the Texas Bankers Foundation as an emerging leader.”
“It is our great pleasure to recognize Kelly Preston. These awards celebrate the banks and bankers who have made a commitment to positively impact their communities,” said Chris Furlow, president and CEO of the Texas Bankers Association. “We are honored to congratulate them on their efforts.”
“I’m incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” said Kelly Preston. “I’m grateful to work alongside a team that values leadership, service, and doing the right thing—for our employees, our customers, and our communities. This award reflects the support and mentorship I’ve received at FirstBank Southwest, and I’m thankful to be part of an organization that invests so deeply in its people.”
For further information about the Texas Bankers Foundation, visit www.texasbankers.com/Foundation and check out Texas Banking Magazine, the official publication of the Texas Bankers Association, which includes a special feature on the 2026 award winners.
ABOUT FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST
FirstBank Southwest (“FBSW”) was founded in 1907 and family-owned since 1934. FirstBank Southwest is a dynamic 1.8B+ regional bank that has the privilege of serving the families and businesses of the Texas Panhandle, DFW Metroplex, and Austin and San Antonio metro markets. It is the mission of FBSW to be the preferred community bank in the great state of Texas by providing focused financial services for commercial customers and retail customers. Get social with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Visit us on our webpage at: www.fbsw.com.
ABOUT TEXAS BANKS FOUNDATION
Founded in 1885, the Texas Bankers Association is the largest state-based banking association in the US. TBA advocates for roughly 400 member banks in Austin and Washington; trains more than 20,000 bankers annually; provides nationally-recognized community bank services; and invests in Texas communities through financial literacy, scholarship and charitable activities.
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