On December 20, Odessa-based SouthWest Bank announced that Dewey Bryant, chief executive officer, will assume the role of CEO emeritus effective January 1, 2023. In this role, he will continue to serve on the SouthWest Bank board of directors and help execute a seamless leadership transition for the bank.
The SouthWest Bank board has elected Paul Weaver to serve as the bank’s new CEO effective January 1, 2023. As part of this transition and leadership change, Chris Cole will be appointed president as well as maintain his role as chief operations officer.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as SouthWest Bank’s CEO for nearly 24 years,” Bryant says. “The foundation of SouthWest Bank was established as a community financial institution that believes in the importance of relationship banking and knows and cares for its customers. I strongly believe in our mission of empowering our employees to personally help our customers achieve lifetime financial goals while serving our communities. Paul and Chris share these same beliefs, have a deep understanding of our customers, and will stay true to our mission ensuring continued success for SouthWest Bank.”
Weaver has been with SouthWest Bank for 22 years and currently serves as chief lending officer and Odessa market president. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas–Austin and has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry.
“I am honored to have been elected as SouthWest Bank’s next CEO and look forward to leading such a committed and talented team,” Weaver says. “It is a privilege to be part of a bank that delivers high-quality service to the best customers, employs the best people, and does its part to improve the communities in which we live and work.”
Cole has more than 33 years of banking experience and has served solely at West Texas community banks. He has been with SouthWest Bank for 10 years, holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
Established in 1999, SouthWest Bank operates seven branches in Odessa, Midland and Lubbock.
