A Washington resident is being recognized by the Iowa Bankers Association for working 50 years in the industry.

Dale Torpey, Chairman of the Board of Federation Bank and parent company Washington Bancorp, is being recognized for his service to his bank and community at the IBA Convention on September 21st. Originally from Vinton, Torpey’s first job in a bank was as a part-time janitor in Des Moines after he returned from service in the U.S. Navy. At that time he also worked in bookkeeping, with the aspiration of moving up the ladder to become a bank president. His career included several moves to eastern Iowa towns and Missouri, and he shares who helped motivate him along the way, “It really is a credit to my wife and my kids that they were willing to move, because we moved several times over the years and JoAnn was always more than willing to relocate and it would’ve turned out a lot different if she hadn’t been that willing, that’s for sure.”

Torpey has had numerous leadership roles in banking organizations including Community Bankers of Iowa and Independent Community Bankers of America, and was the first Iowa banker elected to the Board of the Federal Home Loan Bank where he served as chairman for five years. He shares what made him passionate about his occupation, “To me it was always interesting about the way banking particularly in small communities, you could contribute to the community, you could make sure the community is vibrant, and you could know people personally and do things for them and help them out.”

Torpey has spent most of his career, 35 years, in Washington where he has no intention of leaving. He’s been active in local organizations like the Washington Hospital Foundation, Washington Community Theatre, and the YMCA of Washington County.