Surrounded by his friends, family and coworkers, Steve Bechman officially retired from Horizon Bank as its Johnson County Market President on April 28.
With a 27-year care
er in banking with Bargersville State Bank, Bechman took a risk in 1997 when he and two friends quit their jobs to launch a new financial institution, Heartland Community Bank. He and Jeff Boen sold Heartland to Horizen in 2012.
“Steve is a wonderful person,” said Carolyn Clow, former mortgage lender with Horizen for six and a half years. “Steve is an old-fashioned banker. He always has been. People come into the bank and the person they want to see is Steve Bechman. He has done business on a handshake in the past and people remember him for that. He is well respected in the community and has lots of friends. When the community has been in need they go to Steve and Steve is there for them.”
After selling to Horizon, he stayed on with the bank to help with its continued success. Beyond his day-to-day work, Bechman has served his Johnson County Community as board member and president for both the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and the United Way, and was also on the Johnson Memorial Health Foundation board for 16 years. He’s currently serving on the board of the Franklin United Methodist Community, and has also served on the Board for the Indiana 4-H Foundation. Recognized for his service, he earned the Distinguished Hoosier Award, one of the highest tributes given out by the State of Indiana to its citizens, in 2016 from Governor Mike Pence.
As for his retirement, Bechman says he plans to take advantage of more time to be outside. He enjoys gardening, and is making plans for a small, one-acre grape vineyard at his home. He also raises bees, and will continue working with his hives to produce honey.