Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust has promoted three executives and hired a fourth. “As we continue to grow, it is essential to recognize and elevate the leaders who have helped build our success,” says Craig Berry, president and chief lending officer.
Damon Whatley has been promoted to executive vice president. His banking career began in Wichita Falls, starting as a teller at the age of 18. After graduating from college and serving as a bank examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Dallas, he returned to Wichita Falls to join the American National Bank & Trust family in 2002. Over the past 24 years, Whatley has grown alongside the bank, moving from roles in collections and commercial credit analysis into lending. Most recently, he served as senior vice president/commercial lending as a member of the senior management team and will now serve as executive vice president.
A graduate of Midwestern State University, Whatley received his BBA degree in international trade and economics. He is a deeply engaged leader in the Wichita Falls community, currently serving as vice chair of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce board executive council and as an executive council member and past chair for the North Texas Rehabilitation Center. Additionally, his community involvement includes serving on the boards of the North Texas Ranch Roundup business board and Hands to Hands Ranch Days. He is also a member of the Wichita Falls Mavericks Cooks.
The bank has promoted Paul Scheurer to executive vice president/director of correspondent banking. He began his banking career in 2008 as a credit analyst at TIB NA, eventually advancing to underwriter and loan officer roles. In 2015, he joined the American National Bank & Trust team as the bank expanded its footprint into the Dallas/Fort Worth market. Over the past decade, Scheurer has been instrumental in supporting the bank’s growth through his deep experience in credit and relationship-driven service.
A graduate of Texas Tech University, Scheurer holds a degree in finance. He is also active in the local community as a member of the Ridglea Country Club and several national outdoor recreation foundations and nonprofit organizations.
Garrett Betts has been promoted to senior vice president/portfolio manager. He joined American National Bank & Trust in 2023 as vice president/portfolio manager. With more than 11 years of experience in the banking industry, he specializes in developing and executing fixed-income strategies for clients who value a thoughtful, active investment approach. Before joining the bank, Betts spent nine years with a regional trust company in Abilene, where he began his career as an analyst and trader.
A graduate of McMurry University, Betts earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. In addition to his professional role, he is a dedicated community leader in Wichita Falls. He currently serves as the treasurer for the Wichita Falls Independent School District’s Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition Booster Club, secretary for the Wichita Falls YMCA Downtown advisory board and as a board member for the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank.
American National Bank & Trust has hired Kena Baxley to serve as senior vice president/fiduciary real estate asset manager. She joins the bank with a distinguished career in real estate spanning more than three decades. A licensed Texas real estate sales agent for 31 years, she brings 25 years of specialized experience in trust real estate for financial institutions. Her background also includes five years of real estate appraisal work with a firm focused on right-of-way valuations.
Baxley is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned a BS degree in agricultural economics. She is currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies degree with a specialization in real estate and construction law, policy and management at the Texas A&M University School of Law, with an expected graduation in May 2026.
Established in 1976, American National Bank & Trust serves communities from the Red River to the Gulf Coast.
