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TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS

Texas Bankers

Laird Retiring as Vice Chair of First State Bank

February 28, 2024

Jess LairdJess Laird, vice chairman of Athens-based First State Bank, is retiring on March 12 after 36 years of service.

Laird began his banking career with First State Bank in 1988 as a loan officer. In 1999, he was named president and chief executive officer. In 2019, he was elected vice chairman by the First State Bank board of directors.

“It has been extremely rewarding to be associated with a hometown, locally owned and operated community bank that fully supports its employees and whose main goal is to support its customers and community growth,” Laird says. “By virtue of being with First State Bank for so long, I’ve made many great friends with our customers and staff.”

Laird earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from the University of Texas–Tyler. He is also a graduate of the Bank Operations Institute at East Texas State University–Commerce and the SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

Over the past 36 years, Laird has received numerous awards for his dedication to the community. In 2007, he was recognized as the Athens Citizen of the Year for his commitment to the growth and development of the community, including serving as past president of the Athens Rotary Club and Athens Economic Development Corp. and a member of the Athens Industrial Foundation, Athens Chamber of Commerce, Region VII Education board and Trinity River Authority of Texas. He has also served on the boards of Henderson County United Way and Trinity Valley Community College Endowment Foundation.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Jess for almost 30 years,” notes Michael Neill, current CEO. “He has been a great friend and mentor to me, and to many who have worked with him in his tenure at First State Bank. He will be greatly missed, but we wish him many blessings in his well-deserved retirement.”

Established in 1935, First State Bank operates branches in Athens, Corsicana, Gun Barrel City, Mabank and Malakoff.

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Previous Oliver Joins Ozona Bank as Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Lender Next Texas Regional Bank Hires Guillen as Market Manager in Starr and Hidalgo Counties

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About

Bankers Digest is your source for Texas banking news and information, including bankers on the move,  bank developments across the state, industry updates, regulations and job opportunities. Click here to contact the editorial department.

Subscribe to Bankers Digest

Bankers Digest’s e-newsletter is distributed three times a month. Sign up today to stay in the loop—it’s free!

About

Bankers Digest is your source for Texas banking news and information, including bankers on the move,  bank developments across the state, industry updates, regulations and job opportunities. Click here to contact the editorial department.

Texas Bankers

Laird Retiring as Vice Chair of First State Bank

February 28, 2024

Jess LairdJess Laird, vice chairman of Athens-based First State Bank, is retiring on March 12 after 36 years of service.

Laird began his banking career with First State Bank in 1988 as a loan officer. In 1999, he was named president and chief executive officer. In 2019, he was elected vice chairman by the First State Bank board of directors.

“It has been extremely rewarding to be associated with a hometown, locally owned and operated community bank that fully supports its employees and whose main goal is to support its customers and community growth,” Laird says. “By virtue of being with First State Bank for so long, I’ve made many great friends with our customers and staff.”

Laird earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from the University of Texas–Tyler. He is also a graduate of the Bank Operations Institute at East Texas State University–Commerce and the SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

Over the past 36 years, Laird has received numerous awards for his dedication to the community. In 2007, he was recognized as the Athens Citizen of the Year for his commitment to the growth and development of the community, including serving as past president of the Athens Rotary Club and Athens Economic Development Corp. and a member of the Athens Industrial Foundation, Athens Chamber of Commerce, Region VII Education board and Trinity River Authority of Texas. He has also served on the boards of Henderson County United Way and Trinity Valley Community College Endowment Foundation.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Jess for almost 30 years,” notes Michael Neill, current CEO. “He has been a great friend and mentor to me, and to many who have worked with him in his tenure at First State Bank. He will be greatly missed, but we wish him many blessings in his well-deserved retirement.”

Established in 1935, First State Bank operates branches in Athens, Corsicana, Gun Barrel City, Mabank and Malakoff.

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About

Bankers Digest is your source for Texas banking news and information, including bankers on the move,  bank developments across the state, industry updates, regulations and job opportunities. Click here to send us your bank’s news or to contact the editorial department.

Subscribe to Bankers Digest

Bankers Digest’s e-newsletter is distributed three times a month. Sign up today to stay in the loop—it’s free!

About

Bankers Digest is your source for Texas banking news and information, including bankers on the move,  bank developments across the state, industry updates, regulations and job opportunities. Click here to send us your bank’s news or to contact the editorial department.

Texas Bankers

Laird Retiring as Vice Chair of First State Bank

February 28, 2024

Jess LairdJess Laird, vice chairman of Athens-based First State Bank, is retiring on March 12 after 36 years of service.

Laird began his banking career with First State Bank in 1988 as a loan officer. In 1999, he was named president and chief executive officer. In 2019, he was elected vice chairman by the First State Bank board of directors.

“It has been extremely rewarding to be associated with a hometown, locally owned and operated community bank that fully supports its employees and whose main goal is to support its customers and community growth,” Laird says. “By virtue of being with First State Bank for so long, I’ve made many great friends with our customers and staff.”

Laird earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from the University of Texas–Tyler. He is also a graduate of the Bank Operations Institute at East Texas State University–Commerce and the SW Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

Over the past 36 years, Laird has received numerous awards for his dedication to the community. In 2007, he was recognized as the Athens Citizen of the Year for his commitment to the growth and development of the community, including serving as past president of the Athens Rotary Club and Athens Economic Development Corp. and a member of the Athens Industrial Foundation, Athens Chamber of Commerce, Region VII Education board and Trinity River Authority of Texas. He has also served on the boards of Henderson County United Way and Trinity Valley Community College Endowment Foundation.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Jess for almost 30 years,” notes Michael Neill, current CEO. “He has been a great friend and mentor to me, and to many who have worked with him in his tenure at First State Bank. He will be greatly missed, but we wish him many blessings in his well-deserved retirement.”

Established in 1935, First State Bank operates branches in Athens, Corsicana, Gun Barrel City, Mabank and Malakoff.

SHARE THIS NEWS:

Previous Oliver Joins Ozona Bank as Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Lender Next Texas Regional Bank Hires Guillen as Market Manager in Starr and Hidalgo Counties

MORE BANKERS ON THE MOVE

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Lone Star Capital Bank Chair McCandless Announces Retirement

SouthWest Bank Welcomes Littlefield as Senior Compliance Officer

Community National Bank Announces Promotions and New Talent Joining the Team

Abbassi Named Director of Strategic Support at the Texas Department of Banking

Central Bank Hires Welch as Commercial Banker, Minzenmeyer as Deposit Officer

Ortiz Appointed Senior Vice President and McElroy Hired as Vice President for WestStar’s Corporate Accounting

1 2 … 5 Next >

Subscribe to Bankers Digest

Bankers Digest’s e-newsletter is distributed three times a month. Sign up today to stay in the loop—it’s free!

Search

About

Bankers Digest is your source for Texas banking news and information, including bankers on the move,  bank developments across the state, industry updates, regulations and job opportunities. Click here to send us your bank’s news or to contact the editorial department.

Subscribe to Bankers Digest

Bankers Digest’s e-newsletter is distributed three times a month. Sign up today to stay in the loop—it’s free!

About

Bankers Digest is your source for Texas banking news and information, including bankers on the move,  bank developments across the state, industry updates, regulations and job opportunities. Click here to send us your bank’s news or to contact the editorial department.

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© 2024 Bankers Digest—Published by IBAT Marketing Inc.
a SUBSIDIARY of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas

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© 2024 Bankers Digest—Published by IBAT Marketing Inc.
a SUBSIDIARY of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas3

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© 2024 Bankers Digest—
Published by IBAT Marketing Inc.,
a SUBSIDIARY of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas