The board of directors of Abilene-based First Financial Bank NA recently announced the promotion of Shelley Dacus to chief executive officer of the bank’s Kingwood region. She was promoted to president of the region in 2019 and now replaces Harry J. Brooks as CEO. Brooks is departing the bank at the end of the year. Dacus has more than 15 years of banking experience and was part of the leadership team of Commercial State Bank acquired by First Financial Bank in 2018, at which she served as executive vice president and chief lending officer.

Dacus holds a BBA degree in finance from Sam Houston State University and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and the Texas Bankers Management Development Program. She has also earned the Risk Management Association credit risk certification. A 2019 graduate of the First Financial Bank leadership development program, FFIN University, Dacus volunteers for Junior Achievement and March of Dimes and serves on the Texas Bankers Association’s Leadership Counsel and Banking Task Force.

“As president of the region, Shelley has proven her leadership and experience is instrumental in providing exceptional customer service and growth for the bank,” says F. Scott Dueser, chairman, president and CEO of First Financial Bankshares Inc. “We are pleased to have a banker of her caliber and knowledge leading the charge. Her hard work, determination and leadership make her promotion a perfect fit for both her and the bank. We appreciate Johnny Brooks for establishing a firm foundation for the region and his leadership in this area since our acquisition of the bank nearly three years ago.”

Established in 1890, First Financial Bank NA operates multiple banking regions with 78 locations in Texas. The company also operates First Financial Trust & Asset Management Co. NA with 10 locations and First Technology Services Inc., a technology operating company.