Horizon Bank Recognizes Advisors for Leadership — Brian Balmer, Steve Hawkins, Karen Stemley, Mahendra Verma

Michigan City, Indiana – Horizon has honored Advisors Brian Balmer, Steve Hawkins, Karen Stemley, and Mahendra Verma with the Beyond Ordinary Leadership Award.

Brian Balmer, Vice President, District Manager has been awarded the Beyond Ordinary Leadership Award for being a pillar of stability for the Lafayette area team, clients, and community.

Balmer’s resourcefulness and unwavering commitment has had a profound impact on the Lafayette area, driving meaningful change and inspiring those around him. His exceptional contributions and visionary leadership have not only set a remarkable standard but have also become a beacon of excellence for the entire community.

Brian stated, “This recognition is a testament to the collective effort and commitment of our entire team. I specifically want to take time to recognize all of those that are a direct part of my District team. Without each of your daily efforts to provide consistent, outstanding customer experiences, this award would not be possible.”

Steve Hawkins, VP, Commercial Loan Workout Officer, was also awarded the Beyond Ordinary Leadership Award for his manage complex challenges and communicate effectively with clients and other Horizon Advisors.

Hawkins expressed, “It’s an honor to receive this award and to be part of such an amazing team. Working together to tackle challenges and reach our goals has been incredibly rewarding.”

Hawkins expertise as a Commercial Loan Workout Officer and his exceptional communication skills have greatly benefited Horizon’s Grand Rapids office. Despite the challenges and often unseen nature of his role, Hawkins consistently goes above and beyond, tackling every task with a positive attitude.

Karen Stemley, Branch Manager at Horizon’s Merrillville location, was awarded the Beyond Ordinary Leadership Award for her dedication to her team and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Stemley is known for her calm and professional demeanor, particularly in challenging situations, where she fosters a positive environment for advisors to learn and grow. Respected for her straightforward approach and problem-solving skills, she sets high expectations for both herself and her team, consistently leading by example.

“I'm so fortunate to work with such a fantastic team at the Merrillville office. My team’s hard work, dedication, and support make every day rewarding and fulfilling. Together, we've faced challenges and achieved remarkable success,” Stemley expressed.

Mahendra Verma, VP, Network Engineering Manager was given the Leadership Award for his proactive problem-solving skills and clear communication allowing him to navigate challenges.

Verma stands out for his exceptional leadership in management, systems integration, and network management. His deep knowledge of virtualization technology and unified communications complements his ability to guide complex projects across diverse, multicultural environments. Verma’s leadership shines through in his strategic oversight and innovative approach to IT security and network design.

“I am grateful for this award as well as the management's continuous trust and support. All their encouragement means the world to me. I am excited to continue striving for excellence in all that I do,” stated Verma.

About The Beyond Ordinary Leadership Award

This award is presented to a Horizon Advisor who exemplifies beyond ordinary banking by affecting positive change for customers, company and community, as exemplified by outstanding leadership, professionalism, collaboration and commitment to customers.

About Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) is the nearly 8 billion–asset bank holding company for Horizon Bank, which serves customers across attractive Midwestern markets through convenient digital tools, as well as its Indiana and Michigan branches. Horizon's retail offerings include prime residential, indirect auto, and other secured consumer lending, as well as a range of personal banking and wealth management solutions. Horizon also provides a comprehensive array of in–market business banking and treasury management services, as well as equipment financing solutions for customers regionally and nationally, with commercial lending representing over half of total loans. More information on Horizon, headquartered in Northwest Indiana's Michigan City, is available at horizonbank.com and investor.horizonbank.com.

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Contact: Amy Phares
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Phone: (219) 874-9208