The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares NA, the holding company for First Financial Bank NA, has announced the election of Chris Cook as executive vice president of marketing. The announcement was made by Ron Butler, executive vice president/chief administrative officer.

Cook spent 22 years at Texas Tech University working closely with the university’s nationally recognized football and men’s basketball programs, most recently serving as senior director in the office of communications and marketing in the office of the president. He served his first 11 years there as associate athletics director for communications. Cook has nearly 30 years of experience in public and media relations.

Cook holds a BA degree in journalism from Louisiana Tech University and an MA degree in mass communication from Texas Tech University. He currently sits on the board of the South Plains Food Bank and previously served on the Council on Strategic Communications executive committee for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (2017-20).

“Chris will assist in strengthening the First Financial brand across the state of Texas by enhancing our communications, campaign strategies, media and public relations, and digital marketing efforts,” Butler says.

Established in 1890, First Financial Bank NA operates multiple banking regions with 78 locations in Texas.