Craig T. Scheef, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Texas Security Bank and East Central University alumnus, will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award at ECU’s Evening of Honors and Recognition on Friday, May 11, in Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.
“This means a lot. East Central continues to be significant in my life. I’m proud to have been a student and part of the family and community. I’m extremely grateful and humbled,” said Scheef.
Under Scheef’s leadership, Texas Security Bank, with $420 million, is one of the fastest growing and most profitable independent banks in the United States.
With locations in Dallas, Garland and Farmers Branch, Texas Security Bank was featured in Forbes Magazine and the Dallas Journal in 2015 as the No. 5 Healthiest Bank in America by depositaccounts.com (out of 6,800 banks). The same bank service rated Texas Security Bank the No. 1 Healthiest Bank in Texas in 2015.
After graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1981, Scheef accepted a scholarship to play football at ECU. In 1984 and 1985, Scheef was named to Who’s Who Among America’s College and University Students and was routinely a member of the Dean’s and President’s Honor Rolls.
Scheef was named Academic All-American in football his junior and senior seasons. He was also elected co-captain of ECU’s 1984-1985 football team which was ranked No. 1 nationally for small colleges at the end of the regular season. Scheef was an NAIA All-District 9 his final two years as well, earning Small College Consensus All-American Honorable Mention honors.
In 2005, Scheef received the Milam Award which is presented annually to a distinguished ECU football alumnus who has excelled in their chosen vocation. In 2016, he received ECU’s Distinguished Service Award and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from ECU’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.
“When I spoke at commencement in December, I talked about the excellent education I received at ECU at its where I developed my love for learning. I learned how to study,” Scheef said. “We had a really good football team and I’ve built life-long relationships and wonderful memories of winning. It was a great experience and it continues to be great.”
Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree from ECU in 1985, Scheef attended graduate school at the University of North Texas in Denton, receiving his M.B.A. in finance in 1988. He graduated in the top five percent of M.B.A. students while at UNT.
“Craig was an example of what a student-athlete should strive to be,” said ECU President Katricia G. Pierson. “He took both education and athletics seriously and excelled in both. His heart has never left ECU. As an alum, Craig has been a continual supporter of the university with his time, talent and resources.”
In June of 1988, Scheef accepted a commercial credit training position with First Interstate Bank (predecessor to Wells Fargo Bank). During his last five years at Wells Fargo, he managed a team of middle market lenders.
Scheef accepted the position of community bank president for Bank of Texas, a subsidiary of BOK Financial in 2003. In 2004, he was promoted to president of business banking for the Dallas and Houston markets, having responsibility for seven community banks in Dallas and Houston. In April 2007, Scheef left Bank of Texas to begin the process of obtaining regulatory approval and raising capital for an independent bank focused on the needs of people who exercise their right to free enterprise – the independent business owner.
Texas Security Bank began operations with $26.5 million in new capital in 2008.
Scheef is a former president of the Swiss Avenue Historical District, former chairman of the Executive Committee of the East Central University Foundation, Inc., member of the Greater Dallas Assembly and member of the Dallas Chief Executive Round Table.
He is married to his wife Christy of 29 years. Craig and Christy enjoy travel, snow skiing, sporting events, community involvement, volunteering time to various East Dallas non-profit organizations and spending time with their dog, Hugo, family and friends.
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