TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE and IDEAS
Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced promotions of employees approved at the March board meeting. Troy Moore has been named regional president for the North region. He joined the bank in December 2025 as executive vice president/deputy regional president, working from the Longview Oak Forest office. With 33 years … Read more
Fort Worth-based NBT Financial Bank announced three personnel changes in March. Lee Beckelman has joined the bank as an advisory director. A graduate of the University of Texas–Austin, his past work experience includes positions at various banks, as well as several oil and gas companies. He currently serves as chief financial officer of Smart Sand … Read more
On March 5, Wichita Falls-based American National Bank & Trust announced key hires and promotions across multiple locations. This news comes in addition to the bank’s recent announcement that Craig Berry is succeeding Dwight Berry in the role of president; Dwight Berry will continue serving as chief executive officer and Craig Berry will continue as … Read more
Charlie Waters has joined Moulton-based SouthStar Bank as senior vice president and branch executive at the Georgetown office. He holds more than a decade of experience in the banking industry with a strong focus on commercial real estate. Before joining SouthStar Bank, Waters was vice president/commercial loan officer at The Commercial National Bank of Brady’s … Read more
Plains Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Dimmitt-based First United Bank and Spirit Mortgage, announced 11 company promotions in the new year. Staci Ortiz: senior vice president of Spirit Mortgage. She has been with the bank since 2017 and has 20 years of mortgage experience. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in … Read more
Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank announced that Greg Burleigh, CTFA, CWS, has joined The Private Bank at PlainsCapital as senior vice president/senior wealth management administrator. He will be based at the bank’s Hilltop Plaza location in Dallas. Burleigh brings nearly three decades of experience in fiduciary and wealth management services. Prior to joining PlainsCapital Bank, he served … Read more
On December 19, Farmers Branch-based TIB NA announced several officer promotions: Alicia Garrison has been promoted to executive vice president and retains the title of chief credit officer and deputy chief risk officer. She will now serve on TIB’s executive team. She joined TIB in 2006 as a credit analyst. Garrison earned a BA degree … Read more
The board of directors of Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank has promoted Michelle Zamorato to vice president. She started her career at Charter Bank as a teller in 2016 and currently serves as head of the bookkeeping department. She is also an assistant operations manager. Charter Bank’s board also promoted Morgan Kinsel to vice president. She … Read more
Llano National Bank has announced the addition of Mason King as vice president and branch manager of its Buchanan Dam branch. He brings a strong background in commercial banking, portfolio management and community leadership to his new role. Prior to joining Llano National Bank, Mason served as assistant vice president and portfolio manager for First United … Read more
Galveston-based Moody Bank has hired James Sanders to serve as vice president and commercial banking officer at the company’s energy corridor banking center on N. Eldridge Pkwy. With more 15 years in commercial banking and lending, his experience includes positions at major national and regional financial institutions. Earlier this month, the bank also announced the … Read more