Gary Torgow

When co-founding Talmer in 2007 with David Provost, Gary articulated the institution’s broader mission “to reignite our local communities and make a difference through the important role that a community bank plays in the growth and vitality of local markets.” True to his stated mission, Gary has consistently leveraged his considerable achievements as a means of fostering opportunities for others. The scope of Gary’s professional, communal and social activism is a testimony to his steadfast commitment to that mission.

In December of 2023, Gary was elected chair of Business Leaders for Michigan – a business roundtable of the top 100 CEOs of the state’s largest companies and universities, focused on making Michigan a top-10-state economically. Gary’s leadership of the group was summed up by President and CEO, Jeff Donofrio: “Gary demonstrates every day what it means to be a champion for our state and its people. His work to bring people together and find common ground will continue to help Michigan become a stronger and more competitive state where everyone can succeed.”

Additionally, Gary has served as chairman of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, playing a pivotal role in attracting investment, creating jobs, and revitalizing Detroit's economy for all residents. Gary’s leadership positions on numerous civic and communal boards span the spectrum from his presidency of the Jewish Federation of Detroit and Yeshiva Beth Yehudah to serving as Chairman of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, where he was appointed and served as Chairman under Republican and Democratic Governors, John Engler and Jennifer Granholm, respectively. Starting July 1st, 2025, Gary will begin his term as board chair of the Jewish Federations of North America. His leadership resulted in significant strides toward the protection of Michigan citizens in all areas of state and federal enforcement of civil rights laws and statues. As chairman, Gary traveled the length and breadth of the state, strengthening the department’s ongoing efforts to encourage the promotion of economic and racial equality in both the private and public sectors. Gary’s philanthropy, advocacy and social activism have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Fannie Lou Hamer “Keeping the Spirit Moving” Award and the James Weldon “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of his achievements on behalf of the Detroit NAACP. He received the Urban League of Detroit’s Distinguished Warrior Award, the Wayne State University Law School Outstanding Alumni Award, and the Frank A. Wetsman Leadership Award from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. This includes strengthening K-12 public education, after school learning opportunities, and college and career pathways. He serves as Chairman of the Mosaic United Steering Committee, an Israeli Jewish initiative for the benefit of Diaspora Jewry.

Gary also serves on the board of DTE Energy and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He previously served on the board of Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York.

Gary’s generous initiatives on behalf of disadvantaged minorities include TCF Financial Corp’s highly acclaimed Billion Dollar Community Plan, which subsequently grew into Huntington Bank’s $40 Billion Community Plan upon TCF’s merger with Huntington. Geared to minority and women-owned small businesses, this initiative also includes millions of dollars in grants to low-income home buyers. The program was designed by Gary to “dramatically grant more access to people and communities long denied their fair share."

In statement by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of NAACP Detroit Chapter, Gary’s pioneering efforts on behalf of the program were recognized as “doing what must be done to provide economic access and equity of opportunity for our community” and demonstrating that TCF is “serving as a headlight and not a taillight to bring about economic change.” Gary has been named the opening keynote speaker at the Conference on Economic Freedom organized and hosted by The PuLSE Institute – Detroit’s national and independent non-partisan, anti-poverty think tank. The event is the institute’s annual racial and economic justice conference for policy makers, scholars, industry captains and community advocates, working towards creating an ethical economy that guarantees equality for all. The focus of Gary’s keynote spotlights on the crisis of affordable housing in Detroit and around the nation, with specific focus on why the dream of homeownership needs to reach those who are at the bottom of the economic scale.

In a keynote address to the Black and Latino Economic Summit in Tampa, Florida, Gary reflected on the continuous struggle to “overcome the economic inequality, racial disparity, and violations of civil rights that still plague our country.” A powerful takeaway from Gary’s inspiration and encouragement to those “doing such outstanding work on the battlefield for racial wealth equity” was: “Life is a process of breaking through a series of impediments; each time we learn something new, each time we develop strengths and wisdom and perspective. The more we accomplish, the more things will stand in our way. There are always more obstacles and bigger challenges and we will always be fighting uphill. But as the great philosophers always tell us, life is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Other keynote addresses include the H3 Summit in the United Kingdom, among others. He was recognized by the Fair Housing Center of Metro Detroit as the recipient of its Sixth Annual Fair Housing Leadership Award.

An exemplary model of Gary’s intercommunity bridge building, is his considerable expansion of the Evening of Unity for the Yeshiva Beth Yehuda, into an “annual celebration of community, education and shared values.” The strong showing at a Yeshiva event by so many of the who’s-who from across the policy enthalpic and community area is, in part, a tribute to the outstanding work of the Yeshiva Beth Yehuda and policy of acceptance of all children not withstanding their monetary or education level. The institution is not only an exemplary education institution but it has a 40 person scholar Kollel, a full staff of outreach professionals, a large camping program and a 400 child special needs division known as the Grosfeld Education Center.

Each year, the event is graced by the presence of political, civic and philanthropic leaders from across the political and social spectrum. Featured speakers include President Joe Biden; former president, George W. Bush; First Lady, Laura Bush; Secretaries of State, Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powel; U.S. Senators, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters; Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer; Detroit Mayor, Mike Duggan; British Prime Minister, Tony Blair; Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan Chase, and Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of the NAACP Detroit Chapter.