This month, David Kelton Monk is celebrating 50 years in the Texas banking industry and he’s not done yet. He launched his banking career in September 1970 as a teller at Citizens State Bank in Malakoff. From 1972 to 1980, he served as vice president at First Savings & Loan in Athens. He then worked at First National Bank in Athens as a senior vice president from 1980 to 1984. In 1984, Monk moved to Chandler, where he served for 35 years as president and CEO of Citizens State Bank. During that time, the small-town bank expanded to include eight locations and moved its headquarters to Tyler. In 2019, the bank was acquired by Conroe-based Spirit of Texas Bank and he assumed the role of regional president for the bank’s Northeast Texas region.
Monk currently serves on the board of trustees for Trinity Valley Community College, the Chandler TIF District and the Leagueville Cemetery Association. He is former chairman of TBA Services Co. He formerly served on the board of the Community Investment Corp. of the Carolinas, East Texas Council of Government, Henderson County Child Welfare Board and Athens Cain Center. He has also served as mayor of the City of Chandler, president of the Henderson County Hospital Authority Board and co-chair of Henderson County United Way. Monk was also a member of the Texas Bankers Association Community Bankers Council
Monk is a commissioned Texas reserve peace officer and a founding member of the Henderson County Sherriff’s Posse. In addition, he is a licensed FAA airline transport pilot and has enjoyed flying for more 30 years. In addition to all of his banking, flying and officiating the peace, he also helps his daughter and son-in-law, Allyson and BJ Arnold, manage the family land and cattle operations, whether he’s atop a tractor baling hay all day or operating a bulldozer to clear land. His favorite role by far is that of grandfather to his beloved grandchildren, Keltyn Grace and Carter Joseph.
When reflecting on his career in the banking industry, Monk observes that for 50 years, he has been abundantly blessed to work for and with good people.
