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Conway, Ark.– Randy Sims, Chief Executive Officer of Centennial Bank and Home BancShares, recently announced two corporate level promotions for long-time employees Kevin Hester and Lori Case.
“I have come to rely on these two bankers heavily over the past 10 years. Both have very different skill sets but have been vital to the success of our company. I’m honored to have them promoted to the corporate level.” said Sims.
Kevin Hester was promoted to the position of Chief Lending Officer of the entire bank which covers the more than 60 locations in Arkansas and Florida. He is one of the founding members of the bank and has 24 years of banking experience.
Hester is a graduate of Conway High School, the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and the National Commercial Lending School in Norman, Oklahoma. He is a native of Conway.
Hester is a board member of Centennial Bank. He is also a former member of the CDBG Advisory Board for the City of Conway and is a volunteer for the United Way. He is active with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and has been a featured lecturer for that association.
Kevin and his wife Melissa live in Greenbrier and have five children: Drew, Ben, Alex, Colby and Sydney.
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Lori Case was recently promoted to the position of Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing. She is also a founding staff member of the bank.Case has expanded her role as marketing director also to the entire company and their more than 60 locations throughout Arkansas and Florida.
Case is a life long resident of Faulkner County and is a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. She obtained a degree in marketing from the University of Central Arkansas and is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s (ABA) School of Bank Marketing in Boulder, Colorado and the Faulkner County Leadership Institute. She has been a featured lecturer at two national ABA Marketing Forums.
Case was twice named Bank Marketer of the Year for the state of Arkansas.
Case is on the executive committee and the board of directors for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. She is past chairperson for the United Way of Central Arkansas and the Arkansas Bank Marketing Association. She is also a former board member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Arkansas, American Cancer Society, Main Street Conway, FCLI Central Committee and Toad Suck Daze Committee.
Case and her son, Jordan, reside in Conway.
Wed, 9 Dec 2009
Randy Sims, Chief Executive Officer of Centennial Bank, recently announced several promotions in the Conway Market. “I couldn’t be happier to announce the promotions of these exceptional bankers. These four have been ‘go-to’ folks for Centennial Bank over the years. Their hard work and dedication have been keys to our becoming the largest bank in the market. Our bank has thrived under their leadership.” said Sims.
David Druey was promoted to the position of President of the Conway region which covers Conway, Greenbrier, Mayflower, Vilonia, Quitman and Morrilton. He was one of the founding employees of the Bank.
Druey is a graduate of The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford, Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He is also a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Banking in Baton Rouge and the Faulkner County Leadership Institute.
Druey is formerly involved with the American Red Cross and the Boys Scouts of America where he achieved the status of an eagle scout. Druey and his wife Kristin live in Greenbrier and have four children: Alex, Denver, Claudia and Kaidin.
Greg Sanson was recently promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of the Conway region. Sanson’s new responsibilities include oversight of bank lending in addition to his current responsibilities as a lending officer in the Conway region. He joined the bank in 2002. Sanson is a life long resident of Faulkner County of is a graduate of Conway High School. He obtained a degree in finance from the University of Central Arkansas and also is a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Graduate Banking in Baton Rouge and several Arkansas lending schools.
Sanson is a commissioner for the Arkansas Manufactured Housing Commission and on the board of Conway Country Club and the Conway High School Foundation. He is a former board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner Co. and a graduate of the Faulkner Co. Leadership Institute. He has one son, Kyler, and they reside in Conway.
Cynthia Frost was promoted to Senior Vice President. She will maintain her job function as head of retail and security in the Conway region. Frost joined the bank in 1999 shortly after its founding.
Frost is a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and attended the University of Central Arkansas. She is also a graduate of the Mid South School of Banking in Memphis and the Faulkner County Leadership Institute.
Frost is active with Greenbrier Schools and is a past fund raising chair with the March of Dimes and has volunteered with the American Cancer Society and numerous other local charities. Frost resides in Greenbrier with her husband, Darren, and two children Christan and Connor.
Jeanne Love was promoted to Senior Vice President. She will continue her job function as head lending officer in the Conway region. Love joined the bank in 2000.
Love is a graduate of Conway High School and attended University of Central Arkansas. She is also a cum laude graduate of the Mid South School of Banking in Memphis and the Faulkner County Leadership Institute. Love is on the board of the Faulkner County Single Parent Scholarship Committee, the Arkansas Regional Commission for the Conway Housing Authority and the Central Arkansas Bereaved Parents Association. She is former president to the Toad Suck Daze Committee and has served on the boards of Haven, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Salvation Army and volunteers at Wooster Elementary School.
Love resides in Wooster with her husband, Ray, and their daughter Katie.
Fri, 4 Dec 2009
Cabot, Ark. (November 24, 2009) – Centennial Bank in Cabot recently announced that Corey Williams has been promoted to Senior Vice President for its east region which includes Beebe, Cabot, Heber Springs, Jacksonville, Mountain View, Searcy and Ward.
Williams is a graduate of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management.
“Corey works extremely hard to make sure he serves his customers and has a pulse on the community. His dedication to both is what we look for in our bankers, and Corey is no exception,” said regional president Tracy French.
Williams’ new responsibilities include oversight of bank lending in addition to his current responsibilities as a lending officer.
“Just like our customers, I have a stake in my community. I am a husband, a parent and a concerned citizen who wants to make Cabot the best it can possibly be. I look forward to this new challenge,” said Williams.
Williams and his wife Amy live in Cabot and have three children. He was elected to the Cabot School Board in September, is a vice president for the Cabot Chamber of Commerce Board or Directors, member of the Cabot Rotary Club, advisory member for the Cabot Panther Education Foundation, and coach of several youth soccer and basketball teams.
Thu, 3 Dec 2009
Plans are well in the works for the 2009 edition of the Conway community Thanksgiving dinner. Started 20 years ago by Catherin and Bob Blankenship, the dinner has a new sponsor – Centennial Bank – and a new location – First United Methodist Church in Conway this year.
“When Catherin and Bob Blankenship announced that 2008 would be the last year they would organize the Thanksgiving dinner, we approached them about Centennial Bank assuming that responsibility,” said Lori Case, senior vice president for marketing. “This event is a testament to our community’s commitment to provide for those who are not able to share this special holiday with friends and loved ones.
“We have much to be thankful for at Centennial Bank and feel that is highly appropriate that we give back to the community that has given so much to us by organizing this meal of thanksgiving.”
About 600 people were fed at last year’s Thanksgiving dinner, with 300 of those meals delivered. Organizers are planning to feed more people this year in light of the economy.
The dinner is co-sponsored by 501 LIFE magazine. A special committee – chaired by Case – has been meeting for several months to plan this year’s event. “Everyone is welcome at this dinner, including those alone during the holiday and those in need,” she said. “We extend an invitation to the entire community to join us for a good meal and time of fellowship.”
A special phone number has been set up for volunteers to use to submit their name and contact info – 501.328.4859. Those who would like to have a meal delivered to their home are also encouraged to call. The deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 20.
Wed, 18 Nov 2009
Farmer Promoted to Market President in Centennial Bank Jacksonville Region
Jacksonville, Ark. (October 14, 2009) – Centennial Bank announced recently that Donnie Farmer has been promoted to market president for its Jacksonville region.
Farmer has over 36 years experience in customer service and finance related areas.
“Donnie has been one of the driving forces to our success in the Jacksonville market over the last several years. His positive attitude and reputation for exemplary customer service are just two of the great reasons he is helping us move forward. We at Centennial congratulate Donnie on his achievements,” said regional president Tracy French.
Farmer’s new responsibilities include management and oversight of both retail and lending areas of the Jacksonville market. Farmer previously served as SVP of commercial lending for the bank.
“I am extremely excited about this new opportunity. I have lived and breathed Jacksonville my entire life and look forward to further serving our customers and the citizens of Jacksonville through my new position,” Farmer said.
Farmer’s civic activities include: Past Vice President of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Jacksonville Sertoma, Chairman of the Jacksonville Civil Service Commission, a member of the COP Advisory board and a board member of the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club.
Centennial Bank is part of the Home BancShares family of banks with assets exceeding 2.6 billion. For more information about Centennial Bank, visit its website at
www.my100bank.com.
Wed, 14 Oct 2009
