Bank Appointments: Southern Missouri Bank, First Republic, SECU

Southern Missouri Bank — The parent corporation of Southern Bank has appointed Greg Steffens as its new chairman of the board, as part of a new executive leadership transition plan.

Steffens will succeed Douglas Bagby effective July 1, 2022, while still maintaining his position as CEO of the company.

The move is intended to allow Steffens to focus on the long-term strategic direction and growth of Southern Missouri, as well as merger and acquisition activity and shareholder relations.

Bagby will serve as vice-chairman and lead outside director of Southern Missouri and will continue to serve as a director.

The bank has also appointed Matthew Funke president and chief administrative officer. He is currently executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO).

Lora Daves, executive vice president and chief risk officer, will become executive vice president and CFO, while Lance Greunke has been appointed as executive vice president and chief risk officer.

First Republic Bank — San Francisco-based First Republic has appointed Mike Roffler as CEO.

Roffler took on the position on March 13, succeeding founder and CEO Jim Herbert, who has led First Republic since establishing it in 1985.

Roffler joined First Republic in 2009 and become CFO in 2014. He was appointed president last year, and became co-CEO alongside Herbert earlier this year as part of the bank’s leadership transition plans.

Herbert is now the bank’s executive chairman. He said Roffler was “a terrific leader who has very meaningfully contributed to our strategy, culture and growth”.

Amerant — Amerant Bank has announced the appointment of Orlando Ashford, Samantha Holroyd, John Quelchand Oscar Suarez as directors, effective April 1, 2022.

In the same announcement, Amerant said Frederick Copeland, chairman of the board, and Guillermo Villar, director, would both be retiring effective June 8, 2022.

Jerry Plush, vice-chairman, president and CEO, will take over as chairman of the board, while Pamella Dana, director, will take over as lead independent director.

TBK Bank — Erik Bahr has been appointed chief revenue officer of Texas-based TBK Bank. In the newly created position, Bahr will be responsible for strategy, performance, client satisfaction and sales operations.

He has also been tasked with improving the bank’s offering to clients in the transport sector, TBK said in a statement.

Bahr was previously executive vice president at Triumph Business Capital, a subsidiary of TBK Bank, which he joined in early 2020. He was previously regional president for Texas at real estate broker Compass.

SECU — The State Employees Credit Union (SECU) has appointed Emma Hayes as its first chief culture officer.

Hayes will lead the oversight, direction and administration of SECU’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as organize leadership training and programs.

She has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry. Prior to joining SECU, Hayes was director of learning and development at Local Government Federal Credit Union.