Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Company: Albany Bank & Trust Co. NA
Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Robert D. Gecht, chief executive officer and chairman of the board at Albany Bank & Trust Co. NA, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in banking and finance.
Mr. Gecht is a tenured banking executive, recognized as the chief executive officer and board chair at Albany Bank & Trust Company NA since 1981. Over the past four decades, he has influenced the institution’s continued success, determining the bank’s direction and strategic approach. Due to his tenure, Mr. Gecht has developed a significant understanding of his customers and their expectations, as well as a loyal client base. Taking financial matters very seriously, he strives to always ensure Albany Bank’s stability, which is regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
During his tenure as the president of Albany Bank, Ms. Gecht was instrumental in increasing its revenue from $100 million to $700 million. He also overcame various hurdles, including the Great Recession between 2007 and 2009. Mr. Gecht notably stepped down from his role as president in 2024.
Besides his longtime commitments at Albany Bank & Trust Company NA, Mr. Gecht has been active in the real estate business. He and his partner own approximately 1,500 apartments on the north side of Chicago and manage commercial office spaces. A very successful venture, they transformed numerous buildings into stunning offices, with all their offices and apartments fully occupied. In business together for over 35 years, Mr. Gecht’s partner was originally his customer at the bank.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Gecht held various roles, including selling insurance and working as a paralegal for a firm in Newark, New Jersey, which was run by the only democrat in Orange County. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled in law school. Among other roles, Mr. Gecht worked for a think tank at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which Senator John Kennedy, the undersecretary of commerce at the time, founded. In this capacity, he worked on cost-benefit analyses of various regulations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and proposed regulations affecting industries and employees. He also explored different methods for compliance and licensing and testified on these matters. From there, he led a retail bank in Chicago before joining Albany Bank & Trust Company NA.
Mr. Gecht initially received a Bachelor of Arts from the prestigious Harvard University in 1973. He subsequently garnered a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago in 1977.
Highly active in his community, Mr. Gecht has been deeply engaged with local boards, including the Albany Park and Music Center. He has also served as a governing member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and as a life trustee for a private defense and soccer school in Chicago. Moreover, Mr. Gecht draws rewards through his involvement in his neighborhood’s local social service organization.
In light of his years of dedication and success, Mr. Gecht has been recognized with numerous accolades from Albany Bank & Trust Company NA. He credits his motivation to much of his good fortune. He began working at age 14 and has consistently worked hard ever since. Mr. Gecht’s enthusiasm stems from a strong desire to excel. He also has empathy for others.
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