Name: Zacek, John E.
Title: Senior Vice President of Regional Lending
Texas A&M Class: 1982
Inducted: 2012
A successful banker and cattle rancher, John Zacek received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University in 1982. While at A&M, Mr. Zacek was actively involved with the Ag Eco Club, and also the Saddle and Sirloin Club. Besides actively promoting agriculture during that time, he stepped into a leadership role at his family’s ranch and farm in Victoria County to assist his father in a time of need.
With a strong background in farming and ranching guiding him, John began his career in agricultural lending with First Victoria National Bank shortly after graduation from Texas A&M. Within two years, First Victoria National Bank initiated what resulted in a long progression of promotions for him, to Assistant Vice President and Agricultural Lending Department Manager. Four years later, he was promoted again to Vice President of Agricultural Lending and earned a seat on the Officer’s Loan Committee. After working for slightly over a decade, he enrolled at Southern Methodist University (SMU), receiving a Southwest Graduate Degree in banking in 1994 while continuing to work full time at First Victoria. John was soon promoted to Senior Vice President and he was named to the Executive Committee in 2002. A promotion to Senior Vice President of Regional Lending and Sales Manager of the Victoria Region, and to Manager over Treasury Management and Mortgage Lending followed in 2007. During his career at First Victoria National Bank, John has earned numerous awards for his contributions to the continued growth of the bank, including Ag Lender of the Year from Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Currently, John is the Executive Vice President of Regional Lending and Sales Manager of the Victoria region, and the Manager of the bank-wide Treasury Management Department and Mortgage Lending Operations.
Always active in public service, Mr. Zacek has an exemplary record of service and support to Texas A&M University. He has served in various leadership positions within both the Association of Former Students and the College of Agriculture Development Council (COADC). John served as the COADC president for two terms and was influential in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ “Ag Program 21” which identified different initiatives to propel the college into the 21st century. He is a staunch supporter of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M, and routinely mentors students in class projects and their professional decisions, as well as serving frequently as a “Prof-for-a-Day” in assorted classes.
Public service within his community has included serving two terms as Chairman of the Promotion Committee of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, which resulted in a reversal of the association’s declining membership rates. He has been a long-time board member for the Victoria County A&M Foundation, the Victoria County United Way and the Victoria College Foundation’s Board of Directors. With the Victoria County A&M Foundation and the M. G. & Lillie Johnson Foundation, he was both influential and successful in setting up annual scholarships for Aggies in the Victoria area. He also has served on both the Finance Council for the Catholic Diocese of Victoria and the Finance Council for the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inez. Most recently, he has taken a strong leadership position in the Victoria Livestock Show Inc., serving as this year’s president, and Superintendent of the Junior Commercial Heifer Show & Sale.
Mr. Zacek, his wife, Shana, and daughter McKenna, class of ‘17, reside in Inez, Texas.
