CEO Bob Fehlman
set to retire at the end of 2024
Executive Chairman George Makris, Jr. will assume the role of
Chairman and CEO
Veteran banker Christopher Van Steenberg joins Simmons as Chief
Operating Officer
PINE
BLUFF, Ark., Nov. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons First National
Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) (Simmons or Company) today announced
that Robert "Bob" Fehlman, chief executive officer of the Company
and its subsidiary, Simmons Bank,
has decided to retire in order to focus on personal interests and
family medical issues. Fehlman will continue to serve in his
current capacity through the end of 2024, and he will then
transition into an advisory role through the first quarter of 2025.
George Makris, Jr., the Company's
current executive chairman, will assume the role of chairman and
chief executive officer of the Company and Simmons Bank effective January 1, 2025. Makris previously served as
chairman and chief executive officer from 2014 through 2022.
"I want to express my deep appreciation to Bob for his
decades of service to our organization," said Makris. "Bob has been
a tremendous asset to the bank for many years, and we wish him all
the best in his well-deserved retirement. Bob has played a
significant role in the expansion of the bank and has been a leader
of our better bank initiative as CEO."
Fehlman began his banking career with Simmons in 1988, serving
in a variety of leadership roles including controller, chief
financial officer, treasurer, chief operating officer, president,
and most recently as chief executive officer.
"I have been honored and blessed to work at Simmons for over 36
years," said Fehlman. "I am proud of what we have achieved over the
years, and it has only been possible because of the talent,
dedication, and commitment of our people who embody the Simmons
culture. I want to thank the Board and associates for their
partnership and support over the years and wish them the very best
for continued success. We have a strong foundation in place and
positive momentum to build upon and I have great confidence in
Simmons' future."
Simmons also announced today that veteran banker Christopher
"Chris" Van Steenberg has joined
Simmons as Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective today,
November 12. Chris will report to
Simmons' president Jay Brogdon.
"We are thrilled to have Chris join the Simmons team as COO,"
said Brogdon. "He brings a proven track record in leading retail
banking and commercial treasury management teams, while at the same
time implementing ongoing strategies designed to enhance the
customer experience and drive operational efficiencies. We're
excited to see the impact Chris will have on furthering our better
bank initiative, while also supporting our efforts to drive sound,
profitable growth and positive operating leverage."
Van Steenberg brings more than 25
years of experience in the financial services industry, with a
long, successful track record of strategy execution. He most
recently served as executive vice president, Chief Digital and
Product Officer for a Mid-South bank with more than $80 billion in assets. In this role, he was
responsible for all aspects of the bank's treasury management,
consumer and small business digital, consumer and small business
product management, contact center banking, product and portfolio
pricing, as well as risk and fraud prevention. Prior
to this role, he served as executive vice president, Head of
Regional Banking Strategy and Delivery where he led engagements
with business partners to deliver strategic objectives.
Van Steenberg holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in marketing management from the University of Alabama and a Master of Business
Administration degree from the Manchester Business School in
Manchester, England. He also
completed the Royal Bank of Scotland Business School through the
Wharton School, Entrepreneurial Leadership & Influence program
at Babson College, and the Consumer
Bankers Association Graduate School of Retail Bank Management.
Simmons First National Corporation
Simmons First
National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) is a Mid-South based financial
holding company that has paid cash dividends to its shareholders
for 115 consecutive years. Its principal subsidiary, Simmons Bank, operates 234 branches in
Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 1903, Simmons Bank offers comprehensive financial
solutions delivered with a client-centric approach. In 2024,
Simmons Bank was recognized by
U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2024-2025 Best
Companies to Work For in the South and by Forbes as one of
America's Best-In-State Banks 2024 in Tennessee and America's Best-In-State
Employers 2024 in Missouri.
Additional information about Simmons
Bank can be found on our website at simmonsbank.com, by
following @Simmons_Bank on X (formerly Twitter) or by visiting our
newsroom.
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SOURCE Simmons First National Corporation