18 minute read
Emerging Leaders Update
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Arkansas Bankers Association and to give my thoughts on the Emerging Leaders Section. Over the past five years I have had the privilege to serve in the Emerging Leaders Section and for the past three years, I have been able to serve on the Executive Committee. I very much appreciate the Arkansas Bankers Association Board of Directors affording me these opportunities and allowing me to help give back to the banking community. I would encourage any young banker to get involved in the Emerging Leaders Section and to reach out to your group’s Board of Directors members if you have the passion to serve on the ELS Council and Executive Committee. The past several years with the ELS have been very educational as well as entertaining for me. Getting to know the various bankers from across the state of Arkansas and having the opportunities to network with these bankers will be an asset I can use the rest of my banking career. The relationships I have had the chance to build with the amazing Arkansas Bankers Association staff is something else that will be invaluable to me. On top of the relationships the ELS has brought to me, the experiences will be something I will never forget. I don’t believe I would have had the opportunity to attend the Government Relations Summit in Washington, D.C. if it were not for the Emerging Leaders Section. Getting a first-hand look of how Washington, D.C. works – and sometimes not – works, will be something that will not only help me in banking but in life in general. It is important for the bankers in the state to develop relationships with our Congressional Leaders and their staff. Most of the staff members are the same ages of the Emerging Leaders Section members and we can use these networking opportunities to benefit the banking industry. Traveling to Washington, D.C. is not the only way to get involved with the Emerging Leaders Section. The ABA schedules a Day at the Capitol every other year to help us learn the workings of the Arkansas State Legislation. Along with several “Coffee and Committee” opportunities while the legislators are in session, these allow us to attend committee meetings on topics that might affect the banking industry. Personally, I have an advantage in attending these since I live and work in Little Rock, but I do suggest those who live outside central Arkansas take advantage of these opportunities provided by the Arkansas Bankers Association. Equally important as getting to know our legislators is getting to know our regulators. That is why the ELS hosts a Day with the Regulators every other year, scheduled for November 16th of this year. It’s a great opportunity to meet face to face with our regulators, and hear what their hot topics are
ELS PRESIDENT BLAKE FLETCHER SVP / Senior Lending Officer Stone Bank Little Rock
as well as to talk to them about our concerns. Again, I would like to thank the ABA, particularly Mr. Bill Holmes, Barry Jackson, Kami Coleman, and Ava Roberts. It has been a real pleasure getting to know everyone so well and I look forward to continuing to be involved with the ABA.
ABA EMERGING LEADERS SECTION COUNCIL BLAKE FLETCHER | PRESIDENT Stone Bank, Little Rock JOHN ANDERSON | VICE PRESIDENT The Malvern National Bank, Little Rock
GEORGE PURVIS | SEC./TREAS. Cornerstone Bank, Eureka Springs
EDUARDO ABRIL | GROUP 4 First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen NATALIE BARTHOLOMEW | GROUP 3 Grand Savings Bank, Rogers JOHN BOLLINGER | GROUP 3 Simmons Bank, Fayetteville BRANDON GENTRY | GROUP 1 Cross County Bank, Wynne ROBERT HARGIS | GROUP 5 The Citizens Bank, Monticello
BURT HICKS | GROUP 5 Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff BLAKE JOHNSON | GROUP 1 Evolve Bank, Jonesboro JAMES LYLE | GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee RYAN MOORE | GROUP 1 Centennial Bank, Jonesboro HUNTER NORTON | GROUP 3 First Security Bank, Fayetteville
BEN RIDINGS | GROUP 2 Bank of the Ozarks, Little Rock RACHEL SCHWARTZ | GROUP 4 Farmers Bank & Trust, Texarkana SANDY STARNES | GROUP 2 The Citizens Bank, Batesville HUNTER WINDLE | GROUP 4 The Malvern National Bank, Malvern
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CTFA Exam Online Prep 10/30/17 - 1/19/18
The Banking Industry 11/6/17 - 12/8/17
Consumer Lending 11/6/17 - 3/9/18
Managing Interest Rate Risk 11/6/17 - 1/12/18
Money and Banking 11/6/17 - 3/9/18
Bank Lines of Business 11/13/17 - 12/15/17
Basic Administrative Duties of a Trustee 11/13/17 - 12/29/17
CRCM Exam Online Prep 11/13/17 - 1/19/18
General Accounting 11/13/17 - 3/16/18
Building Customer Relationships 12/4/17 - 1/5/17
The Banking Industry 1/8/18 - 2/2/18
Consumer Lending 1/8/18 - 4/27/18
Supervisor Certificate 1/8/18 - 4/27/18
Bank Lines of Business 1/22/18 - 2/16/18
Analyzing Bank Performance 1/29/18 - 3/16/18
Managing Funding, Liquidity, and Capital 1/29/18 - 3/2/18
Analyzing Financial Statements 2/2/18 - 6/1/18
Introduction to Trust Products & Services 2/26/18 - 3/30/18
IRA Online Institute 2/26/18 - 5/20/18
The Banking Industry 3/5/2018 - 3/30/2018
CRCM Exam Online Prep 3/5/2018 - 5/11/2018
Bank Lines of Business 3/19/2018 - 4/13/2018
Building Customer Relationships 2/5/18 - 3/2/18
Commercial Lending 2/5/18 - 4/27/18
CTFA Exam Online Prep 2/5/18 - 4/27/18
Money and Banking 2/5/18 - 5/25/18
The Mortgage Lending Business 2/20/18 - 3/30/18
General Accounting 3/19/2018 - 7/6/2018
Legal Foundations in Banking 3/26/2018 - 6/1/2018
Managing the Bank’s Investment Portfolio 3/26/2018 - 4/27/2018
Consumer Lending 4/9/2018 - 7/27/2018
The Arkansas Bankers Association is proud of the 20,000+ men and women who work within the Arkansas banking industry and the dedication they have to making our hometown banks successful. Many of those individuals have not only served their communities and banks, but also our country. We would like to recognize all of these banker veterans, active and reserve military personnel, and families for their service, sacrifice, and contributions to our nation. On the following pages is a listing of the brave men and women that have sacrificed to keep this nation free. We hope you’ll join the ABA in this celebration of our banker veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Augusta Bill Patton, President, River Wind Bank Served 1971-1973 Thailand, Vietnam War Batesville
Dr. Lackey Moody, Board of Directors, The Citizens Bank Served 1968-1970 Vietnam Helen Shaw, Corporate Security Officer/Facilities Manager, The Citizens Bank Served 1988-1992 Italy, Saudi Arabia, Gulf War Robert Taylor, Executive Credit Officer, The Citizens Bank Served 1969-1972 Vietnam Justin Teague, Credit Analyst, The Citizens Bank Served 2010-2014 Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom Beebe
Stephanie Weithman, CSR, First Security Bank Served 1989-2000 Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm Bentonville Sonny Delgado, Community President, Integrity First Bank Served 1992-1998 Bermuda & Stateside Danville
Michael Brannon, SVP, Chambers Bank Served 1977-1981 USS Pyro / U.S. 7th Fleet
Conway
Jerry Cooper, Courier, First Security Bank Served 1969-1971 Vietnam
Fayetteville Roy Brinkley, IT Systems Administrator, Signature Bank of Arkansas Served 1989-1991 Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Desert Shield, Desert Storm Richard “Dick” Kehoe, VP of Account Managers, Priority Bank Served 1966-1970 Vietnam Bruce Loftin, EVP, First State Bank Served 1969-1971 Vietnam Dr. H.D. McCarty, Director Emeritus, Priority Bank Served 1955-1988 Cold War Joshua Wheatley, IT Director / Information Security Officer, Signature Bank of Arkansas Served 2001-Present Operation Iraqi Freedom
Fort Smith David Burton, AVP/Commercial Lending, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1989-1993 Desert Storm Luke Forsgren, Teller, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2015-Present Malea Hendrickson, Branch Manager, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2007-2012 Stateside Cindy Horine, Teller, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1979-1982 Stateside Sam Jordan, VP/IT Support Systems, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1972-1976 Vietnam Era Bailey Julian, Purchasing/Mail Room Coordinator, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2004-2008 Germany, Operation Iraqi Freedom Jestin Morse, Teller, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2015-Present
Banker Veteran Spotlight: RAFAEL MARTINEZ Years of Service: 2000-2007 Countries / Wars Served in: Iraq/ Operation Iraqi Freedom Branch / Rank: Arkansas Army National Guard/ Staff Sergeant
What compelled you to serve your country? I have always been very active. I knew joining the military would be a difficult test and I was up for the challenge. I am very proud to say that I am the first generation in my family to serve in the military.
What was the most rewarding experience of being in the military? The most rewarding experience was the friendships that were built during my time in the military. To this day, I am very close to many of my brothers that I served with. They were my family away from home who had my back, and I had theirs.
Share one of your most memorable military experiences… I was wounded in Iraq, and while in the hospital in Baghdad, my squad leader, Staff Sergeant Troy L. Miranda, awarded me a Purple Heart two days before he lost his life serving his country. It’s a memory that I will never forget. He was a great man.
How has your military experience shaped your career in banking? The military taught me discipline, great work ethic and a sense of pride in myself and my work, which has carried over into my career in banking. I am as proud today of the banking team I have the privilege of working with, as I was with my unit during my time in the military.
What does patriotism mean to you? Patriotism to me is being proud to be an American, the willingness to defend this great nation and our flag, and respecting our veterans throughout history that have died for our rights and freedom. It is an unexplainable feeling that I get when the National Anthem plays. I am honored to live and raise my family in this great nation.
Brian Reed, Statement Mail Clerk, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1992-1996 Israel, Italy, France, Greece, Bahamas, Malta, Spain, Ukraine Donnie Youngblood, Receiving Clerk, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1971-1974 Stateside
Greenwood Ed Wilkinson, President, Farmers Bank Served 1991-2010 Bahrain, Guam, Japan
Heber Springs Devin Redding, Teller, Eagle Bank National Guard
Helena
T. Larry Delk, Director, Helena National Bank Served 1959-1962 Stateside June Johnson, Administrative Specialist, Helena National Bank Served 1987-1991 Stateside Charles Roscopf, Director, Helena National Bank Served 1946-1948 WWII Jeffrey Steele, Vice President, Helena National Bank Served 1977-1995 Germany, Turkey, United States
Hot Springs Rafael Martinez, AVP/Commercial Lending, Relyance Bank Served 2000-2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom,
Purple Heart Recipient
Jacksonville Ernest LaPaglia, LAN Computer Operator, First Arkansas Bank & Trust Served 1993-2013 Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom David Wilson, Senior Network Administrator, First Arkansas Bank & Trust Served 1985-2005 Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terror
Jonesboro
Wayne F. Bond, SVP/Lending Manager, Simmons Bank Served 1971-1978 Arkansas Army National Guard, 875th Engineering Battalion Scott Kiesling, Credit Administration Specialist, Simmons Bank Served 1969-1972 Vietnam Era Ronald McDaniel, SVP/Financial Advisor I, Simmons Bank Served 1972-1974 Vietnam Era/Stateside
Little Rock
Robert Boardman, Simmons Bank Larry Brown, EVP/CCO, One Bank & Trust Served 1971-1972 Jocquetta Hoskins Carter, Credit Analyst, Heartland Bank United States Navy Curtis Fowler, CSR/Teller, First Security Bank Served 2001-2007 Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Italy, Stateside ShaRhonda Fox, Customer Support Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 2010-Present Stateside Rolanda Foreman, Receptionist/Teller, Heartland Bank United States Navy Harry Hastings, Jr., Emeritus Chairman of the Board, Eagle Bank Served in World War II Germany Quintessa D. Jackson, Teller, Simmons Bank Served 2013-Present Stateside Paul Kanneman, Simmons Bank
Chris Klein, Trust &Wealth Management Assistant, First Security Bank Served 2006-2010 Stateside Raymond Long, Simmons Bank Linda McDaniel, Consumer Loan Underwriter, Simmons Bank Served Served 1972-1975 Vietnam Era/Stateside Boyd Rothwell, SVP, First National Bankers Bank Served 1968-1970 Vietnam Charlie Whorton, Risk Management Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 2005-2011 Japan, South Korean Territorial Waters, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Australia, Libyan Territorial Waters, Italy
Lonoke
Angie Gorbet, SVP Lending/Human Resources, First State Bank Served 1981-1987 Stateside Randy Joslin, SVP, First State Bank Served 1976-1996 Germany, Italy, Korea, Egypt, Somalia Jacob Ward, Data Processing Clerk, First State Bank Served 2012-Present Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom Rick Worrell, AVP/CTO, First State Bank Served 1992-2013 Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan and Iraq Wars
Magnolia
Charles Fowler, Sr., Facilities Administration, Peoples Bank Served 1960-1985 Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Italy, Korea Bobby Heinze, Information Security Officer, Peoples Bank Served 2000-2008 Operation Iraqi Freedom Justin Moody, Customer Service Specialist, Peoples Bank Served 2015-Present
Mammoth Spring Edward L. Stahlman, VP/Commercial Loan Officer I, Simmons Bank Served 1968-1969, 1972-1985 Southeast Asia, Stateside
CHASA CROCKETT Years of Service: 1992-2005 Banker Veteran Spotlight:
Countries / Wars Served in: Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Bosnian War
Branch / Rank: U.S. Army Sergeant Military Police Corp.
What compelled you to serve your country? I wanted to do my part for my country. My grandfather was retired Navy and a big part of my decision to join the military. I didn’t just want to exist I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to repay my debt to my country for the freedom it gave me when I was growing up.
What was the most rewarding experience of being in the military? The military taught me what true honor and loyalty really are. It taught me what brother and sisterhood was all about. It gave me a sense of pride and true being. I hold myself to a higher standard than I did before the military.
Share one of your most memorable military experiences… I would have to say my most memorable experience would be trying out for the S.O.R.T (Special Operations Reaction Team) team. It was very hard work and took countless hours of physical training along with bumps and bruises, but the reward of being accepted to the team was so worth it.
How has your military experience shaped your career in banking? The military taught me professionalism, respect, discipline, punctuality, attention to detail, and responsibility. Every day I use each one of the attributes and I’m 11 years strong as a banker today.
What does patriotism mean to you? Patriotism to me means to assist, protect, and defend my country against all enemies foreign and domestic. Standing for our flag as it stands for our freedom, and remembering why the flag is our symbol of freedom.
McGehee
Charles Lloyd, Loan Officer, McGehee Bank Served 1964-1995 Panama, Operation Just Cause James Lyle, Network Administrator/ISO, McGehee Bank Served 2000-2008 Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom
Mena
Janeé Sweeney, CIO/SVP, Union Bank of Mena Served 1987-1992 Japan, Korea, Philippines, Australia, Bahrain, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Persian Gulf War
Mountain Home Chester Kowalksi, Network Administrator, Integrity First Bank Served 1984-1988 Japan, South Korea
Pine Bluff
James P. Allen, Jr., Computer Operator II, Simmons Bank Served 1981-1984 Greg T. Berry, Trust Specialist III and Officer, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1980 Heather J. Berry, Assistant Branch Manager, Simmons Bank Served 1995-1997 Stateside Deborah F. Brown, Computer Operator I, Simmons Bank Served 1977-1981 Japan, Stateside Bennie J. Butler, Facilities Maintenance Technician, Simmons Bank Served 1950-1956 Korea Aaron Cagle, Simmons Bank Marty D. Casteel, EVP, Chairman & CEO, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1978 Vietnam Era/Stateside Dennis Fernandez, Simmons Bank Janice Fuller, Switchboard Operator, Relyance Bank Served 1983-1993 Linda Howell, Bank Operations Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1977 Vietnam Era James E. Jackson, Sr., Mail Services Clerk II, Simmons Bank Served 1968-1970 South Asia Richard Metcalf, EVP/Wealth Management, Relyance Bank Charles “Tony” Ogles, IT Support Specialist III, Simmons Bank Served 1996-2000 East Timor Gekisha L. Shaw, Customer Call Center Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 2003-2005 Arkansas National Guard, Stateside Phillip Smith, VP/Consumer Lending, Relyance Bank Terry M. Smith, Facilities Maintenance Technician, Simmons Bank Served 1957-1962 Stateside Wilbert T. Thornton, Facilities Maintenance Technician I, Simmons Bank Served 1960-1966 Turkey
Pocahontas Bryan Dalton, Loan Officer, River Bank Served 2007-2011 Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn
Rogers
John T. Hampton, Chairman/CEO, First Western Bank Mike Fair, Vice President/IT, First Western Bank
Russellville
Johnny Morgan, Director & Former President, First State Bank Served 1972-1974 Vietnam
Searcy
Melvin Brown, Statewide Supplies, First Security Bank Served 1962-1966, 1977-2003 Vietnam James Dixon, Systems Engineer, First Security Bank Served 1988-1994 Paul Ording, Fed Line Processor, First Security Bank Served 1990-2013 Desert Storm, England, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Germany
Henry Pool, Technology Center Bookkeeping Department, First Security Bank Served 1962-1965 Vietnam
Sherwood
Will Yarbrough, Teller, Eagle Bank National Guard
Springdale
Chasa Crockett, Teller Manager, First Security Bank Served 1992-2005 Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Bosnian War Tim Hargis, Vice President, First Security Bank Served 1971-1973 Vietnam Don Gibson, CEO, Legacy National Bank Served 1970-1971, followed by six years of Reserve Service Glen Plumlee, SVP/General Lending, Legacy National Bank Served 1972 Mike P. Taylor, Facilities Manager, First Security Bank Served 1966-1988 Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Greece, Germany, Turkey, Zaire, Senegal & others
Warren
Gerald Dean Burton, Director, Warren Bank & Trust Served 1945-1946 WWII, South Pacific Carlton Davis, Director, Warren Bank & Trust Served 1964-1984 RUN 1969, Germany
West Memphis Murphy Smith, SVP/Marketing, Fidelity National Bank Served 1970-1972 Stateside
Thank you to the banks who submitted names for the ABA Salute to Veterans! Know a banker veteran who was not listed here? Log on to www.arkbankers.org or email traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org to submit their information!
In honor of Military Family Month and upcoming Veterans Day, the Arkansas Bankers Association and American Bankers Association are highlighting seven financial tips to help military families manage their money. “Service members and their families often cite finances as one of their most significant stressors, even more so than deployments and personal relationships,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director of the AmBA Foundation. “Service members can’t adequately focus on the job at hand if they are concerned about financial problems at home. Military families face unique financial challenges like deployments and relocations, so we stress the importance of planning ahead as much as possible.” Please feel free to utilize the following tips to benefit your military customers and their families: Contribute to a Thrift Savings Plan. Military members have access to the Federal Thrift Savings Program, which offers the lowest-cost retirement-savings plan available. Have automatic contributions withdrawn from your paycheck. Plan for deployment. Before deploying, have a conversation with your family about managing the household budget. Consider granting power of attorney to your spouse, should they need to make any urgent financial decisions while you are gone. Check with your bank to see if they have pre-printed forms you can use for bank accounts. Military personnel also receive additional funds while deployed. Decide on the best use for that extra cash, whether it be paying off debt or additional Thrift Savings Plan contributions. Meet with your banker before active duty. The Servicemember Civil Relief Act offers all military personnel entering active duty a variety of financial protections. The SCRA covers issues ranging from interest rate reductions to limits on debt accrual. Ask your banker about the key provisions of this law and how they can help you. Consider housing options. With mortgage rates at notably low levels, homeownership can seem like a no-brainer. However, servicemembers should consider their options. Frequent relocations and deployments can make owning a home challenging and expensive. Renting may be a smart option for short-term assignments. Decide what’s best for your family and your finances. Consult a financial advisor. Schedule a visit at a Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP) office, located in your military and family support centers. They offer free one-on-one counseling, as well as other financial education resources. Budget for a single-income household. Frequent moves are an inevitable part of military life and can make it difficult for spouses to establish stable careers. As a precaution, make plans to operate on a single-income household budget. That way, should your spouse’s employment status change, your family will be prepared. Set up automatic bill pay. Whether you’re stationed state-side or overseas, automatic bill pay will give you and your family one less thing to worry about each month. It can be particularly helpful during deployments in regions where internet access is unreliable and mobile banking isn’t an option. 7 Financial Tips for Military Families
