Dennis E. Nixon

As the principal architect behind the unprecedented growth of International Bancshares Corporation and International Bank of Commerce, Dennis E. Nixon is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading banking authorities and executives. Since joining IBC in 1975, Nixon has been instrumental in International Bancshares Corporation's ranking as the largest minority-founded bank organization in the United States, one of the largest independent banks in Texas and Oklahoma. Nixon's knowledge in all areas of banking was pivotal in the development of IBC's extensive acquisition and expansion efforts. The IBC family of banks has assets of $11.9 billion with 189 full-service branches and 287 ATMs throughout the 89 communities in Texas and Oklahoma that IBC serves.

IBC's strategic development designed by Nixon and his leadership team is best summed up in the company's credo, "We Do More." The bank's outstanding growth and consistent performance with Nixon at the helm is what sets it apart from other institutions.

Internationally, Nixon was instrumental in the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement. In May of 2008, IBC was recognized with the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce's Good Neighbor Award for the bank's contribution to the passage of NAFTA on its 15th anniversary. That "Good Neighbor" tribute describes Dennis Nixon's career-long economic development efforts along the Texas/ Mexico border and highlights his work toward goodwill, close ties and binational prosperity between the U.S. and Mexico.

His track record of helping small businesses grow and expand, spans more than four decades. His "We Do More" attitude has driven him to bring border residents and communities together because he knows that communities can't move forward unless they move together. That's why he helped create and start advocacy organizations like the Association of South Texas Communities, Texas Border Coalition, Border Trade Alliance and the Alliance for Security and Trade to name a few. During his tenure on the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, he was the only director from the southern border of the United States, providing a unique and special perspective to the Chamber's legislative agenda and advocacy efforts. Nixon is currently a member of the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, an elite group of U.S. and Mexican chief executives whose members address core issues in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The Dialogue is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, of which Nixon is a former member of the board of directors.

As the largest inland port in the United States, Laredo plays a vital role in the international trade arena, and Nixon has been at the helm of those issues his entire career. From his role in the passage of NAFTA, to his steadfast support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection efforts, to his promotion of smarter, more efficient borders, Nixon is the tireless advocate that mayors, business leaders and trade officials look to for guidance, direction and leadership. Nixon has written and spoken on the importance of immigration reform and is considered by many as a leading expert on immigration issues.

His myriad of civic involvements, awards and recognitions include the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Award, the Paul Harris Fellow Award given by Rotary International for outstanding community service, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award given by the State of Israel for outstanding services to humanity. In 2006, Dennis Nixon was inducted into the prestigious Texas Business Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was elected to serve on the board of directors of the United States Chamber of Commerce, and in 2008 he received the International Citizen Award from the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. He was selected to be the recipient of the Mr. South Texas 2010 honor by the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association. In 2016, Nixon and his wife received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning at their annual L'Chaim Event in San Antonio, Texas. In 2018, Nixon received the Distinguished Business Leader Award by the Texas Association of Business.

Dennis Nixon is a member of the Texas Business Leadership Council, a statewide network of CEOs and senior business executives who advance a long-term vision of a prosperous Texas in a globally competitive business environment. Nixon currently serves as a senior member on the Board of Visitors of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Nixon is a graduate of the University of Texas. He is married to Elma "Bavi" H. Nixon, and has three children: Denise Nixon Bunk, Jonathan A. Nixon and Kristina E. Nixon Netzer; and five grandchildren, Samantha Rose Bunk, Charles Davis Bunk, Jonathan Dennis Nixon, Sebastian Rolf Nixon and Olivia Katherine Netzer.