The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) honored Brett Murphy, Audit Partner, Partner-in-Charge of the Financial Institutions Industry and Austin Market President at Whitley Penn, LLP, with its 2026 Excellence in Leadership Award. Murphy received the award June 26 during the 41st Annual Connecting Leaders Conference in Round Rock, the flagship event of the IBAT Leadership Division.
Established to recognize outstanding leadership and service, the Excellence in Leadership Award honors Leadership Division members who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to advancing community banking through volunteerism, advocacy and active engagement with IBAT. Recipients exemplify servant leadership by generously giving their time, talents and support to strengthen independent banking in Texas.
Throughout his years of service, Murphy has become one of IBAT’s most dedicated volunteers and advocates. A two-term Leadership Division Region President, At-Large Associate Member, Associate Member Advisory Council member, Associate Member Executive Committee Advisor and Legislative Committee member, he has consistently invested in developing future leaders and strengthening the community banking industry. Murphy has recruited more than 50 individuals to join the Leadership Division, attended nearly 70 IBAT events over the past 14 years and helped establish the Congressional Visit Scholarship Program, which provides travel assistance for emerging community banking leaders to participate in IBAT’s annual advocacy trip to Washington, D.C.
“It is difficult to imagine someone who better represents the spirit of this award than Brett Murphy,” said Christopher Williston, IBAT President and Chief Executive Officer. “Brett leads with authenticity and inspires others to become engaged in strengthening community banking. His unwavering commitment to IBAT, the Leadership Division and independent bankers across Texas has made a lasting impact on our association and the future of our industry.”
Murphy is Audit Partner, Partner-in-Charge of the Financial Institutions Industry and Austin Market President at Whitley Penn, LLP, where he has spent 18 years serving financial institutions throughout Texas. He works with community banks ranging from de novo institutions to organizations with more than $6 billion in assets and has extensive experience assisting clients with acquisitions, public offerings and regulatory compliance.
