JOHNSTON, Iowa — John Sorensen, the former president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association (IBA), received the 2025 James A. Leach Leadership Award at the IBA Annual Convention.
The award, celebrating IBA’s 25th anniversary, recognizes exceptional industry leadership and is named after former Iowa Congressman Jim Leach, who chaired the U.S. House Banking and Financial Services Committee from 1995 to 2001. The award was presented Monday, Sept. 22.
Mr. Sorensen retired from IBA in January after a 38-year career, 28 of those as president and CEO. He was a respected voice on financial services issues and economic matters impacting Iowa and the nation, representing the industry to policymakers, regulators, the business community, and the media. Under his leadership, the IBA grew into the largest state banking association in the country.
Mr. Sorensen continues to serve the banking industry as a director at West Bank in West Des Moines and as a public director on the board of SHAZAM, Inc. He also is a board member emeritus for the University of Northern Iowa’s David W. Wilson College of Business and serves on the boards of Iowa Business Growth, Iowa Community Development and Iowa PBS Foundation. He also served on the boards of the American Bankers Association, Iowa Business Council, Iowa Taxpayers Association, Iowa Newspaper Foundation, Des Moines Community Playhouse, Meals from the Heartland, and Iowa 4-H Foundation.
He and his wife, Lynnette, reside in West Des Moines. They have two grown children, Danen Sorensen and Jordie (Collin) Neuhaus, and one granddaughter, Ella Neuhaus.
In addition the IBA also presented Iowa Rep. Bill Gustoff (R-Des Moines) with its 2025 IBA Legislator of the Year award. The award recognizes an Iowa legislator who has supported Iowa community banks in their efforts to safeguard $108 billion in deposits and lend $89 billion to help individuals, business owners, and agriculture expand and grow their enterprises and Iowa’s economy.
“Rep. Gustoff has been a solid supporter of Iowa business during his time in the Legislature,” said Sharon Presnall, IBA’s senior vice president of government relations and compliance. “He understands that it takes a strong business community to grow the state’s economy and provide good jobs for Iowans.”
Mr. Gustoff was elected to the Iowa House in 2022 and re-elected in 2024. He is an attorney who advises on charitable estate and gift planning and the founding partner of Hagenow, Gustoff, Karas and Ridgway Law Firm. He and his wife, Sara, have four children.
