Southside Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary, Tyler-based Southside Bank, have announced the upcoming retirement of Lee Gibson as chief executive officer, effective December 31, 2025. He will continue to serve as a director of the company and bank. Succeeding him as CEO is Keith Donahoe, current president of the company and bank, who has more than 30 years of experience.
“It goes without saying that Lee has been a vital part of this organization’s success over the past 40-plus years,” says Jay Shands, chairman of the board of Southside Bank and Southside Bancshares Inc. “Starting his career with Southside in 1984, Lee has had a front row seat to a vibrant and often tempestuous economic climate, all while leading with a steady hand and providing strong leadership and guidance to the board and his fellow colleagues.”
Gibson began his career with Southside Bank in 1984 and has served as CEO since 2017. Southside Bank, which began with just one location on the south side of Tyler, is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and operates 53 branches across Texas.
Donahoe has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry and has served as president of Southside since May 2024, overseeing various company-wide functions including credit and commercial lending activities, as well as information technology and bank operations. Upon joining Southside Bank in 2021, he first served as Austin market president and later as Central Texas regional president. Prior to joining Southside Bank, he was with Frost Bank for 26 years, of which he served the last 10 years as an executive vice president.
Established in 1960, Southside Bank currently operates 53 branches throughout East Texas, Southeast Texas and the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas.
