Waco’s American Bank President and CEO Hicks Retires

On July 14, David “Bubba” Hicks retired from Waco-based American Bank. He joined the bank in 2007 as senior executive vice president and was promoted to president and CEO in 2009. According to the bank’s Facebook page, “Hicks ‘semi-retired’ as president in 2018 and has since focused his time loaning money to some of his … Read more

Texas Department of Banking’s Houston Regional Director Willardson to Retire 

Jacqueline Willardson, director of the Texas Department of Banking’s Houston regional office, is retiring after 29 years of service with the agency. Her retirement is effective August 31. She has had the responsibility for reviewing examination reports, monitoring the financial conditions of banks within the region, interacting with bankers and fielding their questions, assisting with … Read more

Reyer, Texas Banking Department General Counsel, to Retire

Catherine Reyer has announced her retirement from the Texas Department of Banking, effective July 31. She has served as general counsel for the department since 2014. As general counsel, she has been responsible for overseeing the legal division and providing advice and counsel to the finance commission, the banking commissioner and other divisions across the … Read more

Upon Retirement, Martin Reflects on Frontier Bank of Texas’ Path to Success

In 2006, Elaine Martin was working for the Elgin Bank of Texas when five Central Texas entrepreneurial partners approached her about writing a charter for a new bank. “I’ve worked with and around banks most of my life,” Martin recalls thinking. “How hard can it be?” Over the ensuing months, the answer to that question … Read more

SouthWest Bank Announces Leadership Succession Plan

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 … Read more

TexasBank Announces Stewart’s Retirement as Chief Financial Officer, McDonald to Serve as CFO

Carey Stewart, who has served as chief financial officer of Brownwood-based TexasBank for the past 32 years, retired at the end of 2022. Stewart and his wife, Kim, plan to relocate to Lubbock to spend more time as “Boss” and “Lolli” to their four grandchildren. “To say that TexasBank would not be in the position … Read more

Interstate Bank Announces the Retirement of Market President Blasingame

On December 7, Perryton-based Interstate Bank announced the retirement of Mike Blasingame as market president. He has been with the bank for 20 years serving in various roles, including executive vice president, commercial and ag lender, chief lending officer and, most recently, market president. He is also a member of the bank’s board of directors. … Read more

Guest Retiring at Year’s End as CEO from Citizens National Bank at Brownwood

John P. Guest, CEO of Citizens National Bank at Brownwood, announced that he is retiring at the end of the year after 40 years of service in the Texas community banking industry. He will continue to serve on the bank’s board of directors. A native of Abilene, Guest moved to Brownwood in 1979 and worked … Read more

Wren Retires from SouthStar Bank After Four Decades in Banking

Curtis Wren, executive vice president and chief credit officer at Moulton-based SouthStar Bank, retired recently after serving for four decades in banking and finance. His retirement was announced by David Kapavik, president and CEO. Wren has been with SouthStar Bank since 2014, overseeing the credit administration group, as well as the administration and maintenance of … Read more

Neeley, Independent Bankers Association of Texas’ General Counsel, Retires

Karen Neeley, general counsel for the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) since 1989, retired on August 31. The association paid tribute to Neeley’s many years of service to the community banking industry in a special edition of its ongoing Ask IBAT Anything series. “After 33 years of representing IBAT as its general counsel, it … Read more