Bank Independent is proud to announce that Penny Camp, Executive Vice President and newly appointed Chief Administrative Officer, has been named to Leadership Alabama Class XXXV, a prestigious statewide leadership program that brings together accomplished professionals to foster stronger communities and a brighter future for Alabama.
“Penny is a thoughtful, forward-thinking leader who deeply understands the importance of people in building strong organizations and communities,” said Bank Independent CEO, Macke Mauldin. “Her selection to Leadership Alabama is a testament to her passion for service and her commitment to making a lasting impact—not only within our bank but across the entire state.”
Leadership Alabama is a non-partisan, invitation-only program that cultivates relationships among leaders across business, government, education, and nonprofit sectors. The 76 members of Class XXXV will begin their journey in October 2025 in Montgomery and continue through May 2026 with sessions in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile. Over the course of the program, participants will engage in meaningful dialogue and examine critical issues facing the state through presentations and immersive experiences.
“Leadership Alabama’s longstanding mission is to facilitate strong partnerships and alliances for the good of our state, and Class XXXV, as with all previous classes, is comprised of outstanding leaders who will continue to effectively lead Alabama’s growth and innovation,” said Michael Patterson, Leadership Alabama’s board chair.
Leadership Alabama’s Executive Director Ashley Kaplan described this year’s class as “an esteemed and diverse cohort of passionate and experienced professionals,” adding that their collective contributions “will serve to elevate Alabama’s future.”
The nonprofit also offers the Alabama Leadership Initiative (ALI) program, originally introduced in 1995 for emerging leaders. The ALI program complements Leadership Alabama’s existing leadership networks and programs. In 2017, the Leadership Alabama Board of Directors expanded ALI to a six-month program comprised of three two-day sessions to offer young professionals the opportunity to develop personal leadership skills and establish ongoing relationships with other young leaders across the state.
Penny’s new title, formerly Chief People Officer, reflects her broad impact across the organization. As Chief Administrative Officer, she provides leadership not only to the bank’s Human Resources and Team Member Care functions, but also to Customer Experience, Sales Offices, Delivery Channels and Marketing, Treasury Solutions, and Sales Enablement.
“Penny’s passion for people is evident in the way she leads,” Mauldin said. “She approaches each situation and decision seeking to understand the impact on both team members and customers, always striving to do the right thing for all parties involved. Regardless of her title, she continues to put people at the heart of her work, making Bank Independent a stronger organization in the process.”
Camp joined Bank Independent in 2002 as a Sales Manager and has earned increasing levels of responsibility throughout her career, including her promotion to Chief People Officer in 2019. She is a graduate of Union University and holds executive education certifications from the Wharton School of Business and UVA Darden. She has been instrumental in cultivating the bank’s award-winning workplace culture, including its recognition on Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Loved Workplaces.
About Bank Independent
Since 1947, Bank Independent has taken pride in serving the customers who count on us to be there for them when they need us most. With 33 traditional Sales Offices across North Alabama, an on-campus Deshler Tiger Branch, and the Digital Sales Office, we’re committed to providing the best service, designing the most desired products, and creating an overall excellent experience for each and every customer. As a local community bank, we believe in building relationships that run deep and last. All our team members reside in our local communities and believe in giving back through volunteering. To become part of a bank that makes a positive difference in people’s lives, visit us at bibank.com.
