Arkansas Milestone Bankers Honored Thirty longtime Arkansas bankers were honored with the BKD Milestones in Banking Awards at the 127th Annual Arkansas Bankers Association Convention on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. Awards were presented by Gary Edwards and Michael Neathery of BKD, LLP. These bankers have a combined 1,220 years of service to their communities and the Arkansas banking industry. This marks the third year for the Milestones in Banking Awards, sponsored by BKD, LLP. To be eligible for the awards, bankers must have served 40+ or 50+ years in banking, and be actively employed by an Arkansas bank Hanna and Gary Canada, Bank of England, were honored for their 50 years of service to the Arkansas banking industry during the 2017 Milestones in Banking Awards ceremony. Presenting the awards were Gary Edwards (far left) and Michael Neathery (far right) of BKD, LLP.
President of the all female bank. Ceci is a charter member of the Lockesburg Lions Club, a member of the Single Parent Scholarship Committee, and is President elect of the DeQueen Rotary Club. She formerly served on the Lockesburg City Council, the Southwest Arkansas Domestic Violence Center Board and the DeQueen Sevier County Chamber of Commerce Board.
GARY CANADA
President Bank of England
Mr. Gary Canada started his banking career as a Bookkeeper in 1967 at the Bank of England. He has since held various positions and is currently serving as the President of the Bank of England.
HANNA CANADA
Executive Vice President Bank of England
Ms. Hanna Canada started her banking career as a Bookkeeper in 1967 at the Bank of England. After a 50 year career, she currently serves as the Executive Vice President.
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The Arkansas Banker | April 2017
PHYLLIS “CECI” BETTELL
Branch President Arkansas County Bank, Lockesburg
Phyllis “Ceci” Bettell began her banking career in 1973 as a File Clerk and Proof Operator at Bank of Lockesburg, which was later purchased by Arkansas County Bank. Over the years she worked as a Teller, a Loan Documentation Specialist, and a Loan Officer for commercial, consumer, and real estate loans. Ceci served as Vice President from 1984 to 1994, Senior VP from 1994 to 2000, and in 2000 was promoted to President of Bank of Lockesburg. In 2002, Bank of Lockesburg became a branch of Arkansas County Bank with Ceci serving as Branch
RHONDA BOEN
SVP / Branch Operations First Security Bank, Searcy
Rhonda Boen began her banking career as a bookkeeper at Farmers National Bank of Clarksville in 1977. She has since held a variety of positions ranging from Comptroller to Cashier. She has held her current position as Senior Vice President at First Security Bank since 2014. Rhonda and her husband Rodger have one daughter and two grandchildren.
