National Bankshares in Virginia, Business First Bancshares in Louisiana, Peoples Financial Services in Pennsylvania, National Bank of Arizona, State Bank of Southern Utah, Hills Bancorp in Iowa, and NASB Financial in Kansas City all announced top executive changes in recent weeks.
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National Bankshares in Virginia lines up president
National Bankshares in Blacksburg, Virginia, looked within to find its next president.
The $1.8 billion-asset company said in a press release that Lara Ramsey will step into the roll at the start of 2025. Ramsey, the company’s chief operating officer and senior vice president of administration, will succeed F. Brad Denardo, who plans to continue as chairman and CEO.
Ramsey has been with the company since 1996. During her career at National Bankshares, she has led its investment, human resources, marketing, training, corporate administration, and strategic initiative functions.
“We are very proud of Lara, and we are excited to see her assume this key leadership role in our organization,” Denardo said. “Over the past 28 years, Lara’s contributions have been pivotal to the growth and success of our company. She has a deep understanding of banking and of our company’s unique role in the communities we serve. Her experience and leadership stand to greatly benefit our stakeholders and continue our core commitments to customer service and shareholder value.”
Business First Bancshares in Louisiana selects insider to be president
Business First Bancshares in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, promoted from within and named a new president.
The $6.7 billion-asset company said in a press release that Jerry Vascocu, who was the bank’s chief administrative officer, succeeded Jude Melville, who remains chairman and CEO.
Vascocu, who joined Business First in 2022 as chief administrative officer, oversees the coordination of banking, operations, risk and credit functions for the bank. He has also led correspondent banking, wealth management, human resources and marketing.
“Jerry’s proven leadership and broad-based banking experience” are “especially relevant to the challenges and opportunities we anticipate facing as we continue to grow our impact on behalf of clients across the regions in which we operate,” Melville said in the release. “Most important, he’s a good person and I look forward to partnering with him in this new role.”
Earlier in his career, Vascocu served in executive roles at First Horizon and Iberiabank.
Peoples Financial in Pennsylvania says CEO to step down
Peoples Financial Services in Scranton, Pennsylvania, will have a new chief executive in 2025.
The $5.5 billion-asset company said in a press release that Craig Best would step down as CEO at the end of this year. Gerard Champi, the company’s president, will succeed Best on Jan.1.
Thomas Tulaney will succeed Champi as president.
Champi was formerly president and CEO of FNCB Bancorp in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Peoples
As part of the deal, the combined company’s succession plan involved Champi becoming CEO after a transition period.
National Bank of Arizona names new CEO
National Bank of Arizona in Tucson has a new leader.
The $5 billion-asset bank, a unit of Zions Bancorp. in Salt Lake City, said in a press release that Mark Stebbings was promoted to CEO. Stebbings was the bank’s director of specialty and commercial real estate lending. He succeeded Mark Young, who retired earlier this year. Young had led the bank since 2015.
“My priority in this role is continuing to grow our already strong brand and reputation within Arizona while ensuring our team members have the necessary tools and resources to meet our clients personal and business needs,” Stebbings said in the release.
“I am very proud to be part of an organization that is deeply rooted in local communities throughout the state,” he added. ‘We have so much opportunity in Arizona and at National Bank of Arizona we are committed to being part of our state’s future.”
State Bank of Southern Utah triggers CEO succession
State Bank of Southern Utah in Cedar City will start 2025 with a new leader.
The bank said in a press release that Trevor Andersen will become its president and CEO on Jan. 14. He is currently the bank’s chief lending officer.
Current President and CEO Eric Schmutz plans to retire.
“Trevor has a visionary approach to leadership and is well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of modern banking,” Joe Burgess, the bank’s chairman, said in the release. “We are confident that his leadership will advance our mission of providing exceptional service and innovative financial solutions to our Southern Utah customers.”
“I started working for the bank in 1982 as a teller,” Schmutz said. “At that time, we had three banking offices and $41 Million in assets. I’ve been fortunate to witness State Bank’s growth, now with 17 branches and over $2.5 billion in assets. The bank is well-positioned, and I’m excited to pass the reins to Trevor to continue its growth.”
Hills Bancorp in Iowa promotes veteran banker to CEO
Hills Bancorp in Hills, Iowa, will have a new chief executive next year.
The $4.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that Lisa Shileny will become its CEO on Jan. 1.
Shileny, the bank’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Dwight Seegmiller, who plans to retire in April. Seegmiller has led the bank for 38 years.
Shileny was appointed COO in December 2021 and became president in November 2022. In April 2023, she was elected to the board. She has worked at Hills since 2005, holding various leadership roles, including senior vice president and general counsel, director of operations, and director of administration.
NASB Financial in Kansas City taps insider to be CEO
NASB Financial in Kansas City, Missouri, announced its next chief executive.
The parent of the $2.8 billion-asset North American Savings Bank said in a press release that President Enrique Venegas will become CEO. He will succeed Tom Wagers, who will retire in January.
Venegas, who joined NASB in 2013, was also the company’s chief lending officer.
“Tom steered NASB through some very difficult and challenging times, including guiding us through the exit from the consumer direct business after we decided this was not the right long-term course for our company,” NASB Chairman David Hancock said in the release.
“The board and I are grateful to have someone of Enrique’s experience and talent waiting in the wings to assume the CEO role,” Hancock added. “We believe his leadership, energy and ideas are going to be instrumental in helping the Company achieve its mission.”