WOMEN IN BANKING ROUND-TABLE: Four Arkansas Executives Share Their Perspectives Mary Beth Brooks | President & CEO, The Bank of Fayetteville
Mary Beth Brooks has had a career in banking that spans more than 26 years, including posts in Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Memphis. In addition to her service at The Bank of Fayetteville, she has taken an active role in the Northwest Arkansas Council, Fayetteville Public Schools Foundation, and Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. Brooks has held the position of President & CEO since 2004.
Judy Lawton | Chief Financial Officer, Heartland Bank
Judy Lawton has been in banking for 34 years, currently serving as CFO and COO for Heartland Bank, and President and CEO of Rock Service Company, LLC. Lawton has served on the Arkansas Tech University Foundation Board and currently serves on the Finance Committee and is Secretary/Treasurer of the Heartland Foundation. Judy was appointed as the Treasurer of the Arkansas Bankers Associated for 2014 to 2017.
Cathy Owen | Chairman, Eagle Bank
As the Chairman of State Holding Company, which owns 99% of Eagle Bank, Cathy Owen is actively involved in the daily management of the financial institution. In 1986, she led the purchase of a second bank by the holding company, and in 2012 consolidated the two banks. Owen is a partner in H&M Realty and Hastings Holdings, and the Managing Partner of One Financial Centre and Markham West.
Susie Smith | EVP / Corp. Strategy & Performance, Simmons Bank
Susie Smith has more than 27 years of banking experience with expertise in corporate leadership, customer-focused relationship management, merger integration, strategic planning, marketing and consumer strategy. Smith currently serves as board chair of Delta Dental of Arkansas, as a board member of Renaissance Health Service Corporation (Lansing, MI), and president of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. 20
The Arkansas Banker | October 2015
What were your career goals when you first entered the workforce? How has that changed over time?
MB
My early goal (from what I remember!) was to learn skills and add value to the bank. I think it was ingrained in me as a child to treat each job like I was going to do that job the rest of my life, so I was intent on learning something from someone every single day. Although it likely drove some of my co-workers crazy along the way, I was always asking questions and seeking increased responsibilities and challenges. How has that changed over time? ...This is an especially appropriate question as I approach a career change after almost 30 years in banking. “The purpose in life is a life of purpose” is my motto. Who knows what’s next!
JL I planned on spending my career in public accounting. When I moved for personal reasons, there were no public accounting positions but I was able to find a position utilizing my accounting background in banking as the Internal Auditor/Compliance Officer for the bank. From there, I moved up to Controller and then to Chief Financial Officer and then in addition to the Chief Financial Officer, I added the role of Chief Operations Officer. Also, I was recently
