Reid Sharp, the longtime president and CEO of First National Bank of Bastrop, is retiring next February and will be succeeded by the bank’s chief financial officer, Chase Anderson. The bank’s board of directors unanimously voted to promote Anderson to the role of president, effective April 4, 2022, with Sharp continuing in the role of CEO until his retirement. Anderson will take over as CEO of the bank upon Sharp’s retirement.

Sharp, a Bastrop native, joined First National Bank of Bastrop in 1983 and worked in various capacities until being named president in 1994. Over the past three decades under his leadership, the organization has grown from less than $200 million to nearly $1 billion in assets with more than 130 employees. The bank has expanded to serve all of Bastrop County, with locations in Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Smithville and Elgin, and many customers outside of Bastrop County.

“[Sharp’s] dedication to servant leadership and commitment to Bastrop County and our customers has meant so much to our communities,” says Bob Long Sr., board chair. “The bank is the strongest it’s ever been, and Reid’s work with the board on a seamless transition plan is a showcase of his ability to set First National Bank up for continued long-term growth and success.”

“I’ve had the honor of serving our customers and communities over the years, but we would not be where we are today without the hard work and dedication of our employees and senior management—they have made my job easy,” Sharp says “It’s time for me to step aside and let the next generation build on the foundation we have laid. I hope to remain on the board after retirement and I am excited to support our next generation of leaders.”

First National Bank’s board began planning the CEO succession three years ago, and Anderson was hired in 2021 as the chief financial officer. “From the time Chase joined us, he has demonstrated wisdom beyond his years and has brought a new level of thought leadership to the bank,” Sharp observes. “His experience at a larger community bank has proved valuable already and will continue to be valuable for years to come. The bank is nearing $1 billion in assets, our market is seeing exponential growth and Chase’s leadership through this transition will be invaluable.”

Anderson’s responsibilities as the CFO include oversight of accounting, finance, treasury, information technology, human resources, operations and retail functions. He has also worked closely with the lending and credit teams and has been integral in the short- and long-term strategic planning process. Before joining the First National Bank of Bastrop, Anderson was executive vice president, chief accounting officer and treasurer at Ruston, Louisiana-based Origin Bank. Prior to that, he was with Grant Thornton LLP in Dallas. A Texas native, Anderson is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with a BA degree in accounting and finance. He is also a licensed certified public accountant in Texas. Anderson is currently enrolled in the Executive MBA program at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas–Austin.

“When I moved to Bastrop in 2021, I could tell the bank was highly regarded within the community,” Anderson notes. “This is a testament to the foundation the leaders and employees of the bank have laid over the past 133 years. The bank has been through a lot over the years, and the past presidents of the bank have set my bar high.”

Established in 1889, the First National Bank of Bastrop operates six full-service branches located throughout Bastrop County.