The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank has announced senior leadership changes in its Greater Houston region. Rodney Nabors has been elected regional CEO, Bart Griffith has been promoted to Conroe market president and Brian Bonner has been promoted to executive vice president/senior lender for construction and development.
“Rodney, Bart and Brian have significant regional and community banking experience and maintain deep relationships within Greater Houston,” notes David Bailey, president and CEO. “We are confident they will continue to strengthen our presence and support our clients throughout the region.”
Nabors is a senior banking executive with more than 37 years of experience leading commercial banking organizations through growth, transformation and evolving market conditions. Most recently, he served as president of Houston‑based Agility Bank. During his career, he has also held senior executive and market leadership roles with both regional and community banks, managing complex loan portfolios, guiding regulatory relationships and mentoring future leaders. Deeply committed to community engagement, Nabors serves in leadership roles with Houston‑area nonprofit and civic organizations, including the board of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce and the West Houston Assistance Ministries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from LeTourneau University.
Griffith has more than 35 years of banking experience. As Conroe market president, he oversees strategy, performance and management of the Montgomery and Walker County markets, a growing division of the bank’s Greater Houston region. He joined First Bank of Conroe in 2012, which would later become First Financial Bank, after holding several management positions at community banks in the Conroe area. Griffith is active in the Conroe community and has served on The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership board, the IBAT Leadership Division board and the Texas Bankers Association’s agriculture and rural affairs committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University. He is also a graduate of the Texas Tech School of Banking and FFIN University.
Bonner brings more than 20 years of real estate lending experience to his new role as senior lender for construction and development. He began his banking career in 2006 as a credit analyst at Sterling Bank. He later joined Commercial State Bank in 2011 as senior vice president of real estate lending. The bank was acquired by First Financial Bank in 2018. Since joining, Bonner has played an integral role in the growth of the region’s construction and development lending efforts. He is a member of the Greater Houston Builders Association and currently serves on several committees at Declaration Church in Spring, as well as the guided coalition committee for Broadway Elementary in the Conroe ISD. He has a bachelor’s degree in banking and financial institutions and finance from Sam Houston State University, holds a credit risk certification from the Risk Management Association and is a graduate of FFIN University.
Established in 1889, First Financial Bank operates 79 locations in Texas.
