Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Announces Retirement of James B. Dworkin and Resignation of Julie S. Freigang from the Board of Directors
MWN-AI** Summary
Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) recently announced significant changes within its Board of Directors, effective early in 2026. James B. Dworkin will retire at the close of his current term on May 7, 2026, following over two decades of service. He provided the Board with his written notice of retirement on January 20, 2026, which was promptly accepted. Meanwhile, Julie S. Freigang also notified the Board on the same day, resigning immediately from her position as director.
Eric P. Blackhurst, Chairman of the Board, expressed gratitude for both members' contributions, highlighting Dworkin's deep commitment to Horizon's growth and Freigang’s expertise in navigating cybersecurity risks. Dworkin, who has been on the Board since 2003 and served on the Audit and Wealth Committees, is recognized for his leadership role in transforming Horizon Bank into a leading community banking institution in the Midwest. Freigang, who joined the Horizon Board in 2020 and chaired the Cyber Security Committee, is noted for her role as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
Both resignations mark a significant change for Horizon Bancorp, which oversees Horizon Bank, a $6.4 billion-asset commercial bank. The bank operates across various Midwestern markets, providing a wide range of personal and business banking services. Patrick Prame, Horizon's President and CEO, recognized their invaluable leadership and strategic direction during their tenure. The Board’s evolving composition is likely to influence Horizon’s strategic initiatives moving forward as it continues to serve its diverse customer base across Indiana and Michigan. More information can be found at horizonbank.com and investor.horizonbank.com.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBNC) recently announced significant changes to its Board of Directors, marking the retirement of seasoned director James B. Dworkin and the resignation of cybersecurity expert Julie S. Freigang. Dworkin’s tenure spans over two decades, contributing vital governance and strategic oversight, while Freigang’s expertise in cybersecurity has been particularly valuable as the industry navigates increasing digital risks. Their departure raises pertinent questions about the company’s strategic direction and governance continuity moving forward.
For investors, it's essential to assess how these changes may impact Horizon's operational stability and long-term strategy. The loss of experienced members who provide invaluable insights could create a transitional phase that introduces uncertainties. Horizon’s leadership, including Chairman Eric P. Blackhurst and CEO Thomas Prame, has expressed gratitude for their contributions, indicating confidence in the existing management framework. However, continuity in governance will be crucial, especially as Horizon has positioned itself in a competitive Midwestern banking landscape.
Investors should closely monitor Horizon’s approach to filling these vacancies. Strong successors with the right industry experience and innovative perspectives could help ensure sustained momentum in growth, further bolstering their community banking franchise. Given that Horizon specializes in consumer lending and wealth management, maintaining a robust oversight framework is critical to navigate various market conditions.
Additionally, the financial health of Horizon Bancorp remains a salient factor. As it currently stands with $6.4 billion in assets, the bank's diverse offerings—from personal to commercial banking—provide a stable revenue base. However, an investment strategy should include watching for any shifts in operational effectiveness, particularly in cybersecurity and risk management initiatives, following Freigang's resignation.
In conclusion, while Horizon Bancorp continues to demonstrate potential, investors should remain vigilant about governance changes and their implications on the firm's strategic execution in the evolving banking environment.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”) announced that James B. Dworkin will retire from the Board of Directors effective at the expiration of his current term on May 7, 2026. Mr. Dworkin provided written notice of his decision on January 20, 2026, which was accepted by the Board of Directors on that same day.
Also, in an unrelated action, on January 20, 2026, Julie S. Freigang submitted notice of her resignation from the Board of Directors, effective January 20, 2026, which was accepted by the Board of Directors on that same day.
“Jim’s and Julie’s insightful engagement and dedication will certainly be missed. They are strong independent directors with accomplished careers, and the governance they’ve provided has been critical to the Bank’s growth,” according to Eric P. Blackhurst, Charman of the Board of Directors. “We appreciate Jim’s more than two decades commitment to helping Horizon Bank become a leading community banking franchise in the Midwest, and I want to thank Julie for the guidance she has provided to our Board around the everchanging landscape of cyber security related risks.”
James B. Dworkin, Chancellor Emeritus & Professor of Management Mitchell E. Daniels School of Business Purdue University North Central, has served on Horizon’s Board of Directors since 2003, and on the Board of Directors of Horizon Bank since 2002. In this role, he served as a member of Horizon’s Audit Committee and the Chair of the Wealth Committee.
Julie S. Freigang, Vice President & Chief Information Officer of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has served on the Board of Directors of Horizon Bank since 2019 and was appointed to the Horizon Board of Directors in January 2020. In this role, she served as a member of the Audit Committee and was the Chair of the Cyber Security Committee.
“On behalf of the Horizon team, I’d like to thank Jim and Julie for their dedicated service to Horizon’s Board of Directors,” stated Thomas Prame, Horizon’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Both Jim and Julie have provided Horizon great counsel and leadership over their years of service. We have benefited from their dedicated service and the strategic direction provided to our leadership teams.”
About Horizon Bancorp, Inc.
Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) is the $6.4 billion-asset commercial bank holding company for Horizon Bank, which serves customers across diverse and economically attractive Midwestern markets through convenient digital and virtual tools, as well as its Indiana and Michigan branches. Horizon's retail offerings include prime residential and other secured consumer lending to in-market customers, as well as a range of personal banking and wealth management solutions. Horizon also provides a comprehensive array of in-market business banking and treasury management services, as well as equipment financing solutions for customers regionally and nationally, with commercial lending representing over half of total loans. More information on Horizon, headquartered in Northwest Indiana's Michigan City, is available at horizonbank.com and investor.horizonbank.com.
| Contact: | Mark E. Secor |
| Chief Administration Officer | |
| Phone: | 219-873-2611 |
FAQ**
How will the retirement of James B. Dworkin and the resignation of Julie S. Freigang from the Board impact the strategic direction of Horizon Bancorp Inc. HBNC moving forward?
What plans does Horizon Bancorp Inc. HBNC have in place to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of governance after the departures of key board members?
Given the recent changes in leadership, how does Horizon Bancorp Inc. HBNC plan to address potential governance gaps, particularly in cyber security and financial oversight?
How might the departures of experienced directors affect Horizon Bancorp Inc. HBNC's relationship with stakeholders and overall market confidence?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Horizon Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: HBNC).
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