Dallas-based Veritex Community Bank has hired Melissa Bradford to serve as vice president/community development officer. She will be responsible for developing partnerships with community organizations focused on serving all of North Texas. Additionally, she will identify community and economic development needs, assist with Veritex Community Bank’s charitable contributions program and lead its employee participation in community activities, programs and events.

Prior to joining Veritex Community Bank, Bradford served as chief of staff for Texas State Representative Carl Sherman (D-109). She came to that position having worked for 15 years as a senior loan officer/underwriter with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA). Her responsibilities there included training staff at the ODA’s processing disbursement center in Ft. Worth. She was also key in spearheading virtual training during COVID-19 and assisted in managing the SBA Surge Office in Washington, D.C. In addition to her work at the SBA, Bradford simultaneously was special events coordinator and event designer at Mel and Lyn Events. Earlier in her career, she worked as a loan officer at City Credit Union.

“With her extensive experience at the Texas House of Representatives as chief of staff, as well as her work with the Small Business Administration, Bradford will play a vital role in expanding our community presence,” Veritex Community Bank noted on its LinkedIn page.

Bradford earned her Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in fashion merchandising from the Art Institute in Houston. She has PMP certification from the Office of Personal Management, partners as a community coordinator for Parkland Hospital’s mammogram services and is the community coordinator for Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ.

Established in 2004, Veritex Community Bank operates 31 banking offices in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Houston area and East Texas.