About Granger National Bank
Founded in 1920, Granger National Bank stands as the oldest banking institution in Granger, proudly serving the community for over 100 years. Our historic building, erected in 1924, represents our unwavering commitment to resilience, trust, and service. We weathered the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, coming out stronger for our customers and community.
In 2020, we celebrated our centennial, marking a century of success, community, and growth. Locally owned and operated, the Heger family took a majority interest in the bank in 1973, maintaining the bank’s personal touch and local decision-making.
In 2024, Giancarlo Ortega (Chairman), Evan Singer (President), and Eric Diehl (CFO) joined the board, adding fresh leadership to carry our legacy forward. They are joined by Vice Chairman Dan Johnson and distinguished directors John Simcik, Tim Vrabel Sr., Dr. William Pavlat, Ted Kallus, Travis Hardwick, Steve Sherman, Lucian Bukowski, and Michael Heger. Lisa Ortega serves as an advisory director.
At Granger National Bank, we believe in relationship-based banking, where our number one priority is you—our customer. We offer a full range of services, from agricultural to commercial lending. No matter your need, our dedicated team is here to provide personalized service with a community-focused approach.
Granger National Bank is proudly insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), ensuring your deposits are safe and secure.
Our Team
Giancarlo “John” Ortega proudly serves as Chairman of Granger National Bank, providing leadership to the management team and pursuing all aspects of the Bank’s vision, values, and strategic plan. John brings over 25 years of banking and financial services experience, specifically in community banking and commercial lending. Part of his banking expertise comes from his time as founder of Houston Business Bank, where he served as a Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to his role as Chairman of Granger National Bank, John is the founding partner of G. Ortega Law, a law firm that provides legal expertise to community banks and commercial businesses. John earned his JD from the University of North Dakota along with an LLM in Banking & Financial Law from Boston University School of Law. He also holds a certificate from SMU, Southwest Graduate School of Banking and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Baylor University.
Evan Singer serves as the President of Granger National Bank, providing operational leadership for the Bank and its staff. Evan has over 16 years’ experience leading transformative change driving organic growth by building teams, developing talent, and executing multi state M&A transactions with over a billion dollars of asset valuations. Evan has closed over $500,000,000 in all types of commercial loans. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Marshall University and attended the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking. Evan resides in Georgetown, TX with his wife and two kids.
Eric Diehl serves as the Bank’s Chief Financial Officer, responsible for all aspects of the policy and financial reporting functions and overseeing the Bank’s financial activities. Eric has accumulated almost 15 years of experience in investment banking, commercial banking, and M&A transactions prior to joining Granger National Bank. Eric holds a BBA in Finance from Baylor University and an MBA from Rice University. In his free time, Eric enjoys spending time with family and travelling.
Dan Johnson joined Granger National Bank as President and CEO on July 1, 1998, and has not missed a board meeting to date! He started his banking career at Farmers State Bank in Round Rock in 1973 and has received his 50-year Banking Award from the Texas Bankers Association. Prior to joining Mr. Heger at Granger National Bank, he was the President of Lake Buchanan State Bank.
John Simcik has served as a Board Member since 2010. He taught and coached at an Austin school prior to his return to Granger, his hometown, to take over his father-in-law’s farming operation. John has two great nephews playing in the Major League Baseball (MLB), as a Ranger and a Tiger!
Tim Vrabel has been part of Granger National Bank since the 1980’s. He was born near Granger and has lived here except for his military service and a short stint in Houston working for a machine shop. Because the big city life was not for him, Tim returned to Granger to farm. He and his four sons are part of the largest farm operations in the area.
Dr. Bill Pavlat has been part of the Board since the late 1980’s. Dr. Pavlat grew up in the area and opened his dental practice in Granger. He retired from his practice due to health reasons, recovered, and is happily practicing again in Taylor.
Ted Kallus has been part of Granger National Bank since the 1980’s. Ted grew up in the Granger area and became a very successful underground utility contractor. His son is still running the business Ted started.
Michael Heger has proudly been part of the board since 2014. Michael is the son of the late Chairman and majority shareholder, George E. Heger. He has been in the insurance business in central Texas since 1992 and has also taken over his father’s crop insurance business.
Steve Sherman currently serves as President, Head of Lending and Director of McClain Bank in Purcell Oklahoma. Steve has been with McClain Bank since graduating from Kansas State University in 1982 with a BS in Finance. Steve has attended numerous Oklahoma Banker Association Schools and completed the Southwest Graduate School of Banking of Southern Methodist University in 2005.
Travis Hardwick currently serves as the CEO of TCC Multi-Family Interiors, a company he has been with since its inception in 1996. Travis graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in Economics and received his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law. In addition to his role as a director at Granger National Bank, he currently serves on the board of the Cypress Forest Public Utility District, as well as the board of directors of Texas First Bank.
