The Iowa Bankers Association (IBA) presented retired banking leader Tom Pohlman with the 2024 James A. Leach Leadership Award during its annual convention last week. The IBA created the Leach Award in former U.S. Rep. Jim Leach’s name in 2000, following his term as chairman of the U.S. House banking committee. The award recognizes a distinguished Iowa banker who has made significant, lifelong contributions to how Iowa banks serve their communities. Pohlman had a 46-year banking career, including leadership roles at First National Bank of Ames and Ames National Corp. Pohlman joined First National Bank of Ames in January 1998 as senior vice president. He was promoted to executive vice president in December 1998 and to president in 1999. Pohlman was named president and CEO of Ames National Corp. in 2007. He retired in 2018 but continued to serve on Ames National’s board of directors until 2023. His industry involvement includes leadership roles with the IBA, the American Bankers Association and serving on the boards of the Iowa Bankers Mortgage Corporation and the Iowa Commission for Volunteer Service. To view past recipients of the Leach award, click here.