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 have all announced leadership changes over the past few years. recent weeks.

In this roundup of changes to the C-suiteAmerican Banker offers a overview of the latest move.

National Bankshares in Virginia appoints president

National Bankshares in Blacksburg, Virginia, looked inward to find its next president.

The $1.8 billion-asset company said in a news release that Lara Ramsey will begin her role in early 2025. Ramsey, the company’s chief operating officer and senior vice president of administration, will succeed to F. Brad Denardo, who plans to continue as president and CEO.

Ramsey has been with the company since 1996. During her career at National Bankshares, she has led the investment, human resources, marketing, training, corporate administration and strategic initiative functions.

“We are very proud of Lara and are excited to see her take on this key leadership role within our organization,” Denardo said. “Over the past 28 years, Lara’s contributions have been essential to the growth and success of our company. She has a deep understanding of the banking industry and our company’s unique role in the communities we serve. His experience and leadership will 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, has been promoted from within and named a new president.

The $6.7 billion-asset company said in a news 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 the bank’s banking, operations, risk and credit functions. He also led correspondent banking services, wealth management, human resources and marketing.

“Jerry’s proven leadership and extensive banking experience” are “particularly relevant to the challenges and opportunities we believe we face as we continue to grow our impact on behalf of our clients in the regions in which we operate” , Melville said in the press release. “Most importantly, he is a good person and I look forward to partnering with him in this new role.”

Earlier in his career, Vascocu held senior management positions at First Horizon and Iberiabank.

Peoples Financial in Pennsylvania announces the resignation of its CEO

Peoples Financial Services in Scranton, Pennsylvania, will have a new CEO 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. Gérard Champi, president of the company, will succeed Best on January 1.

Thomas Tulaney will succeed Champi as president.

Champi previously served as president and CEO of FNCB Bancorp in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Peoples acquired the FNCB earlier this year. The stock transaction, announced in September 2023, was valued at $129 million.

As part of the deal, the combined company’s succession plan called for Champi to become CEO after a transition period.

National Bank of Arizona names new CEO

The 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 news release that Mark Stebbings had been promoted to CEO. Stebbings was the bank’s director of specialist and commercial real estate lending. He succeeds Mark Young, who retired earlier this year. Young has led the bank since 2015.

“My priority in this role is to continue to build our already strong brand and reputation in Arizona while ensuring our team members have the tools and resources necessary to meet the personal and professional needs of our clients,” said Stebbings in the press release.

“I am very proud to be part of an organization with deep roots in local communities across 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 begin 2025 with a new leader.

The bank announced in a press release that Trevor Andersen will become its president and CEO on January 14. He is currently the bank’s chief lending officer.

The current president and CEO, Eric Schmutz, plans to retire.

“Trevor has a visionary approach to leadership and is well equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of modern banking,” Joe Burgess, the bank’s president, said in the release. “We are confident that his leadership will advance our mission of providing exceptional service and innovative financial solutions to our customers in southern Utah.”

“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 have been fortunate to witness the growth of State Bank, which now has 17 branches and over $2.5 billion in assets. The bank is well positioned and I am delighted to hand over the reins to Trevor to continue its growth.”

Hills Bancorp in Iowa promotes veteran banker to CEO

Hills Bancorp, located in Hills, Iowa, will have a new CEO next year.

The $4.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that Lisa Shileny will become its CEO on January 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 named COO in December 2021 and became president in November 2022. In April 2023, she was elected to the board of directors. She has been with Hills since 2005, serving in 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 become CEO

NASB Financial in Kansas City, Missouri, has announced its next chief executive officer.

The parent company of the $2.8 billion-asset North American Savings Bank said in a press release that President Enrique Venegas would 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 led NASB through some very difficult and testing times, including guiding us in exiting the direct-to-consumer business after we decided it was not the right long-term path for our company,” NASB President 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 take on the role of CEO,” added Hancock. “We are confident that his leadership, energy and ideas will be instrumental in helping the company achieve its mission.”