Christy Bussey is the director of growth and development for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), the largest state association dedicated exclusively to community bank advocacy. Previously, she served as executive vice president and chief credit officer at Longview-based Texas Bank and Trust.

In her current role, Bussey's primary responsibilities include membership calling and serving as staff liaison for the IBAT Leadership Division. She is also a member of the IBAT management team. Additionally, Hester leads IBAT's Credit Consultation Hotline, offering guidance and providing tools for portfolio analysis, loan grading, workout situations, regulatory examinations and a variety of other credit administration issues.

Bussey has 32 years of community banking experience, including 16 years on the management team at Texas Bank and Trust. While at Texas Bank and Trust, she served as IBAT Leadership Division chair, as well as Leadership Division president and PAC chair of region 5, which includes East Texas. She is a member of the Texas Tech School of Banking advisory board and previously served on the IBAT Services board.

Bussey has volunteered with many local agencies in her community. She earned a BBA degree from the University of Texas–Tyler and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.