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Member News
Greg Shaver Retires From Citizens Bank After 42 Years of Dedicated Service Citizens Bank has announced the retirement of Greg Shaver, the bank’s Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer after a 42-year career at the Batesville-based bank. Greg Shaver joined Citizens Bank in 1975 as a Management Trainee. In those early years, he served in virtually every area of the bank until being named Internal Auditor in 1978. Since that time, his leadership positions have included Cashier, Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary-Treasurer. “It is rare to find loyalty and dedication with the proficiency that Greg Shaver has exhibited during his career with Citizens Bank,” said Phil Baldwin, President and CEO. “He is a true example of the type of individual that makes the rest of us look good. Greg’s tremendous insight, talents and experience have contributed to Citizens Bank’s expansion across the state of Arkansas. We are very pleased that Greg will continue to provide his leadership in an ongoing advisory capacity.” The bank celebrated Shaver’s career with a public reception on Friday, March 3, in the Community Room of the Citizens Bank Annex at 285 East College in Batesville. When Shaver joined Citizens Bank in 1975, the bank had two locations with assets totaling $25 million. Today, the bank is a statewide franchise with assets over $750 million. Shaver, a lifelong resident of Batesville, received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas, with a major in Accounting. He has served as Treasurer for the “Christmas Brings Hope” organization since 1987, and also serves on the White River Health Systems Advisory Board. He and his wife, Debbie, are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Batesville. They have three grown children: Allen Shaver, who lives in Rogers with his wife, Tami, and their son, Graham; Katie Ahmadzai, who lives in Batesville with her husband, Khalid, and their two young daughters: Attiya and Heelai; and Shawn Nasralla, who lives in Ashland, Oregon, with her husband, Mark, and their daughter, Kamala. In a bank newsletter article two years ago related to his 40th anniversary with the bank, Shaver said: “God has blessed me during my career at Citizens Bank. I’ve been surrounded by friends, who supported and shared their lives with me. It’s been such an awesome journey, growing with the bank, and the community. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
YOU’RE
INVITED!
TEACH CHILDREN TO
SAVE IS TURNING 20!
Join STASH, the Teach Children to Save pig, and bankers across the country in this 20-year celebration—and pledge to inspire local youth to become savvy savers!
Location: Classrooms and Community Centers across the country
Date: April 28, 2017 and throughout the calendar year
RSVP: aba.com/Teach
KANNEMAN JOINS SIMMONS BANK AS CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Paul D. Kanneman has joined Simmons Bank as executive vice president and chief information officer. Kanneman worked the previous 14 years for the international accounting firm Grant Thornton and was based in Dallas. Grant Thornton provides tax and advisory services to businesses and public-sector entities around the world. Kanneman has more than 30 years of experience in management consulting, technology management and governance advisory services. During his time at Grant Thornton, Kanneman served in multiple leadership roles, including time as the national managing principal of the firm’s technology, business consulting, governance, risk and compliance services. Kanneman served as a U.S. Army intelligence officer for seven years. He later worked for the global management consulting firms of Booz, Allen & Hamilton and Andersen Consulting. Kanneman also started his own technology services company, which grew to more than 40 employees before being acquired. From 1994-98, Kanneman was the chief information officer for the Zale Corp. He was responsible for the technology supporting more than 1,800 retail locations, three credit card processing and customer service centers with more than 12,000 employees, the corporate headquarters, and a distribution center and supply warehouse. In his role as CIO at Simmons, Kanneman’s duties will include management of information technology infrastructure, physical and information security, data analytics, business applications and information technology project management. Kanneman is a member of the board of Rivers of the World Ministries and serves as an adviser to the Financial Executive Internationals Standing Committee on Corporate Information Technology. He’s a past member of the Technology Advisory Committee for the national chapter of the American Heart Association.
COURTNEY ROBERTS JOINS CORNERSTONE BANK Jason Tennant, EVP and Chief Lending Officer, Cornerstone Bank, is pleased to announce the hiring of Ms. Courtney Roberts. Courtney Roberts has joined Cornerstone Bank as a new loan officer. Courtney will be handling residential mortgage loans as well as consumer loans in the bank’s new Harrison market office. Tennant stated, “We are thrilled to have a person join our bank with Courtney’s overall banking experience of 10 years. She joins an already strong banking team in Harrison. I know that Courtney will excel at lending and provide the personal and professional service that our clients deserve.” Courtney is very active in the Woodland Heights Baptist Church and the Bergman Parent Teacher Organization. Tennant added, “We are blessed to have her affiliation and trust, she will be a huge benefit to our bank as we continue to grow our Cornerstone Home Mortgage division. We welcome Courtney to the Cornerstone family.”
KIMBERLY SHAW LEADS RETAIL BANKING FOR CITIZENS BANK
Kimberly Shaw has joined Citizens Bank as Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, according to Phil Baldwin, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mrs. Shaw, who has nearly 20 years of Arkansas banking experience, most recently served as Senior Vice President and Retail Sales Manager with Eagle Bank and Trust in Little Rock. She has extensive experience in developing and implementing retail banking products and services. “Kimberly is exceptionally qualified to direct our bank’s retail operations at this important time in our bank’s history,” Baldwin said. “She is an enthusiastic natural leader and will be a major asset as Citizens Bank continues to look for expansion opportunities in growing markets across the region.” Mrs. Shaw is a native of Fayetteville. Her community service has previously included such organizations as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Easter Seals, American Cancer Society and Chamber of Commerce.
GRAND SAVINGS BANK PROMOTES TOMMY COUGHLIN TO BENTONVILLE/ROGERS MARKET PRESIDENT Tommy Coughlin has been promoted to Market President of Bentonville/ Rogers at Grand Savings Bank. Previously a Vice President and loan officer, he made a significant impact on the bank’s
20 The Arkansas Banker | March 2017 growth and success in the Northwest Arkansas market. Coughlin is a Northwest Arkansas native with over 12 years of experience in the banking industry. He is a member of the Bentonville Noon Rotary Club and Boys & Girls Club of Benton County Golf Tournament Committee in addition to volunteering for Sharing and Caring of Benton County. “We are lucky to have Tommy as a part of our team,” said Guy Cable, CEO of Grand Savings Bank. “His continued leadership within our organization over the past few years has been an integral party of our growth.”
TIM COOPER JOINS STONE BANK IN HARRISON AS VICE PRESIDENT/SENIOR LENDING OFFICER Dusty Middleton, Harrison Market Manager for Stone Bank announced that Tim Cooper has been named Senior Vice President, Senior Lending Officer at the bank’s Harrison location.
Tim Cooper is a life-long Boone County native and adds even more depth to our lending team, especially in the agricultural area,” said Middleton. We are excited to add him to our growing team of lending professionals. He has an extensive financial background including positions with Anstaff Bank (First National Bank of Green Forest), Security Bank in Harrison, Farm Credit Services and USDA Farmers Home Administration. Cooper serves as a board member and treasurer of Boone County 4-H Foundation and is on the Boone County Farm Family of the Year Committee.
NATALIE BARTHOLOMEW NAMED GRAND SAVINGS BANK’S CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, VICE PRESIDENT
Grand Savings Bank is pleased to announce Natalie Bartholomew as their new Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President. She will also work as a loan officer while playing an integral role in business development, company expansion and meeting the needs of a growing customer base. Bartholomew is a fifth generation Northwest Arkansas resident and a third generation banker. She brings over 16 years of banking experience and a wide variety of skills to the bank. She attended the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado where she graduated in 2015. Natalie is an advocate for her community where she is member of the Washington County Fair Board Executive Committee, Vice Chair of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA and a member of the NWA Business Women’s Conference Goody Bag Committee. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Benton County and currently serves as a member of the Arkansas Bankers Association Emerging Leaders Council. Natalie was recognized as the NWA Business Women’s Conference Young Woman of the Year in 2015 and was a member of the 2015 NWA Business Journal Forty Under 40 Class. “We are very excited to have Natalie join the GSB team. We have no doubt that with her extensive banking background and passion for community banking that she will be a valuable asset to our bank,” said Guy Cable, CEO of Grand Savings Bank.
GRAND SAVINGS BANK PROMOTES CARLA MARTINEZ TO MARKET PRESIDENT OF WESTERN BENTON COUNTY
Grand Savings Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Carla Martinez to Market President of Western Benton County. This expands her previous role as Market President of the Gentry and Decatur locations to include Siloam Springs and Gravette, which will open in the summer of 2017. Martinez has 26 years of banking experience and joined Grand Savings Bank in 2014. She is an advocate for her community where she serves on the Board of Directors of the Benton County Fair Association and is an active member of the Decatur, Gravette, Gentry and Siloam Springs Chambers of Commerce. “Carla has continued to shine as a leader within our bank,” said Guy Cable, CEO of Grand Savings Bank. “We are pleased to have her leading our team in the Western Benton County markets.”
GRAND SAVINGS BANK NAMES TYLER STEELE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors of Grand Savings Bank announced that Tyler Steele has been named Vice Chairman. In addition to his board duties, Tyler oversees all market presidents and is responsible for the bank’s loan and deposit growth in addition to business development and community involvement. Steele is a Northwest Arkansas native and joined Grand Savings Bank in 2012 as the NWA Market President and Board Member. He has over 19 years of experience in Northwest Arkansas in banking and real estate development. Tyler currently serves as a basketball coach at the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County and is a past board member of the Bentonville Rotary Club and Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life. “We are grateful to have Tyler’s leadership on our board in addition to his role within the bank,” said Guy Cable, CEO of Grand Savings Bank. “His commitment to the community mirrors that of Grand Savings Bank.”
CLEAVER APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT/ LOAN OFFICER AT CORNERSTONE BANK Charles T. Cross, President & CEO, Cornerstone Bank, is pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Matt Cleaver to the position of Vice President/Loan Officer for the bank’s Madison County market. Mr. Cleaver will office in Huntsville and handle all types of lending for the local bank with an emphasis on agricultural and commercial loans.
Matt Cleaver is a native of Madison County He has spent the past two plus years with Tyson Foods, most recently as the Farm Manager for the company’s Enhanced Colony Research Farm. Cross stated, “We are excited to welcome Matt into our Cornerstone family and know he will be a great addition to our experienced Huntsville team. His knowledge of Madison County and background in agricultural business will be a tremendous benefit as he begins his banking career. Our bank is fortunate to have his affiliation with our company.”
ALEXANDRA KOSMITIS JOINS SIMMONS BANK Alexandra Kosmitis of Pine Bluff, Ark., has joined Simmons Bank as executive project manager. In her new role, Kosmitis will lead and administer various executive and company wide projects. Kosmitis, an attorney and a certified public accountant, previously worked as an associate at the Pine Bluff law firm Bridges Young Matthews & Drake. Among other duties at the firm, Kosmitis advised clients on estate planning and administration, assisted with the administration of qualified plans and researched civil litigation matters. “Alexandra brings important skills to our company as both an attorney and CPA,” said George Makris Jr., Simmons’ chairman and chief executive officer. “She will play a key role as we continue our growth.” Kosmitis holds degrees from the University of Arkansas School of Law and the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She is extremely active in civic affairs, serving as the chairman of Pine Bluff Positive Youth Development and the finance chairman of the Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Commission. She’s also a member of the board of the United Way of Southeast Arkansas, the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas and the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
BANKER NEWS & MOVES Home BancShares & Centennial Bank Announce Acquisition of Bank of Commerce
Home BancShares, Inc., parent company of Centennial Bank, announced the completion of its acquisition of The Bank of Commerce, from its parent company, Bank of Commerce Holdings, Inc. , as part of BCHI’s bankruptcy. Pursuant to the terms of Home’s acquisition agreement with BCHI, Home purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of BOC yesterday, February 28, 2017, and BOC merged with and into Centennial effective as of the close of business yesterday. As of January 2017, BOC had approximately $182.5 million in total assets, $127.5 million in loans, and $141.7 million in deposits. With the completion of the acquisition, the Company now operates 76 branches in Arkansas, 68 branches in Florida, six branches in South Alabama and one in New York City. “The completion of this transaction provides expanded service to The Bank of Commerce customers as well as to our current customers,” said John W. Allison, Chairman of Home BancShares. “We are excited about this addition to our existing presence in Central Florida.” “The Bank of Commerce customers will now have access to expanded products, services and locations in the Sarasota market,” said Tracy French, Centennial President and CEO. Until Centennial and BOC convert to a single operating system—anticipated to occur in the second quarter of 2017, Centennial and BOC customers should continue to do business at their current Centennial or BOC branches. Under the terms of the agreement, Home paid an aggregate of approximately $4.2 million in cash for the acquisition, which included the purchase of all outstanding shares of BOC common stock, the discounted purchase of certain subordinated debentures issued by BOC from the existing holders of the subordinated debentures, and an expense reimbursement to BCHI for approved administrative claims in connection with the bankruptcy proceeding.
Home BancShares, Inc., parent company of Centennial Bank, announced the completion of its acquisition of Giant Holdings, Inc. , parent company of Landmark Bank, N.A.. Pursuant to the terms of a previously announced definitive agreement and plan of merger, GHI merged with and into Home effective at the close of business yesterday, February 23, 2017, and Landmark merged with and into Centennial immediately thereafter. As of January 2017, GHI had approximately $396.9 million in total assets, $329.4 million in loans, and $302.6 million in deposits. With the completion of the acquisition, the Company now operates 76 branches in Arkansas, 65 branches in Florida, six branches in South Alabama and one in New York City. “The acquisition of Landmark is another example of our ability to make smart, strategic deals that are immediately accretive to diluted earnings per share, book value and tangible book value,” said John Allison, Chairman of Home. “This merger provides added shareholder value on day one while increasing our market share in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Jeff Roschman and his great team of bankers are an excellent addition to our Company.” Jeff Roschman, GHI’s Chairman, added, “GHI shareholders, customers and bankers will benefit from this merger through the opportunities that joining an established and qualified team like Centennial provides. Our customers will gain access to an expanded range of products backed by a proven history of strong financial performance while continuing to receive the outstanding community banking service they have grown
22 The Arkansas Banker | March 2017 accustomed to.” “We are excited to partner with Home and Centennial, because they share similar values of customer and community service and the same strong desire to cultivate growth and development in our market,” added Perry LaCaria, Landmark President and Chief Executive Officer. “Joining Home will accelerate and expand our ability to meet the growing needs of our customers while maintaining our strong commitment to the markets we serve.” “Centennial Bank welcomes the customers and talented bankers of Landmark and looks forward to the added value this expansion will bring to our franchise in Southeast Florida,” said Tracy French, President and Chief Executive Officer of Centennial Bank. “The Centennial conversion team and bank associates began preparing for the conversion process soon after the signing of the definitive agreement and are scheduled to convert Landmark the weekend of March 24. As a result of this quick conversion, we are expected to more quickly realize cost savings to the Company and ultimately the shareholders.” Under the terms of the agreement, Home will issue approximately 2,738,000 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $77.5 million as of February 23, 2017, plus approximately $18.5 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of GHI common stock.
