Bradford, Horizon Bankshares Chair, to Retire

George M. Bradford, who helped lead Fort Worth-based The National Bank of Texas for decades, will retire in April as the chairman of the bank’s holding company, Horizon Bankshares. The announcement was made by Wade Donnell, the bank’s current CEO, along with the board of directors. Bradford’s banking career started in 1972 at The First … Read more

Orr Retiring as CEO of FirstBank & Trust, Will Continue as Board Chair with Garland as New CEO

On January 28, Lubbock-based FirstBank & Trust of Texas announced the retirement of CEO Barry Orr, effective March 31. He is the organizer and founder of the bank, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. Orr will continue to serve as chairman of the board for FirstBank & Trust, as well as on the board … Read more

Citizens National Bank Strengthens Organization’s Future with Promotions of Wise, Morrison and Morse

Cameron-based Citizens National Bank recently announced three leadership promotions at this month’s board meeting. Steven M. Wise has been appointed chief executive officer and president. He has been with Citizens National Bank since 2009, joining as a regional credit manager and quickly working his way up to chief lending officer in 2012. In the CLO … Read more

Alliance Bank CEO Sellers Named Chairman of Alliance BancShares, Law to Serve as President/CFO and Shurtleff Tapped as Market President

Tom Sellers, CEO of Sulphur Springs-based Alliance Bank, has been named chairman of the board of Alliance BancShares Inc., the bank’s parent company. In addition, James Law, chief financial officer, will assume Sellers’ former role as president of Alliance Bank and remain CFO for the bank and its holdings, and Keith Shurtleff has been promoted … Read more

Appling Promoted to President and CEO of Oklahoma-based The Bankers Bank

On January 5, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based The Bankers Bank, a correspondent bank serving community banks in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, announced the promotion of Troy Appling to president and CEO. He will provide leadership, direction and guidance of the holding company and subsidiaries in achieving their goals and objectives. The Bankers Bank conducted a … Read more

Liberty Capital Bank Taps Morris as CEO and Pickard as CFO

Addison-based Liberty Capital Bank has announced the appointment of Alan Morris as chief executive officer and Amy Pickard as chief financial officer. These leadership changes follow the retirements of former CEO Ben Cunningham and former CFO David Sprinkle from the company. “Ben Cunningham’s influence as the CEO of Liberty Capital Bank cannot be understated,” says … Read more

North Dallas Bank & Trust’s Chairman and CEO Shipman to Retire, Miller to be Named New CEO

On December 15, Dallas-based North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. (NDBT) announced that W. Michael Shipman will retire as chairman of the board and chief executive officer on March 31, 2021. Shipman will be succeeded by the bank’s current president, Larry A. Miller, effective April 1, 2021. “It is fitting that during North Dallas Bank & Trust’s … Read more

First Financial Bank Names Dacus CEO of Kingwood Region

The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA recently announced the promotion of Shelley Dacus to chief executive officer of the bank’s Kingwood region. She was promoted to president of the region in 2019 and now replaces Harry J. Brooks as CEO. Brooks is departing the bank at the end of the year. Dacus has more … Read more

Commericial State Bank’s Grist Acquires Controlling Interest in West Texas State Bank

On November 30, longtime West Texas banker John E. Grist acquired a controlling interest in Snyder-based West Texas State Bank, according to the Odessa American. Grist assumed the positions of chairman and chief executive officer. Mark Williamson will remain as president and continue to serve on the board, while Darryl Calley will continue to serve as executive vice … Read more

In Memoriam: Sam Kimberlin, Former Texas Bankers Association CEO

Samuel Owen Kimberlin, former chief executive officer of the Texas Bankers Association, passed away on November 10 in Austin following a short illness due to COVID. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years at the end of World War II, he attended the University of Texas–Austin, graduating with a BBA degree and … Read more