Eighty-two bankers from across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi attended the second year of the Louisiana Tech University School of Banking, June 5-9, in Ruston.
Presented by the College of Business in collaboration with the Louisiana Bankers Association, the week-long professional development program aims to expand the skills and knowledge base of rising bank leaders.
Courses taught by over 35 Louisiana Tech faculty members, top banking executives, consultants, and regulators covered a variety of topics including operations, risk management, liquidity, marketing, sales, and regulations. A strategic focus on fintech, regional economic development, and cybersecurity helped attendees hone skills that have become increasingly critical to the banking industry.
Forty-four bankers returned for their second year of the School of Banking and were honored during a special graduation ceremony that closed the week.
“This first cohort of School of Banking graduates is special, as there will only ever be one ‘first class,’” said Jason D. Smith, president and CEO of Citizens National Bank and chair of the School of Banking Advisory Board. “This group will help shape the School of Banking for years to come. We are grateful to their organizations for investing in their people and the future of banking in our state. These 44 bankers have learned to be leaders in both our industry and their communities, and we look forward to seeing their professional growth over the coming years.”
2023 School of Banking Graduates:
- Maria Bass, Citizens Progressive Bank
- Cullen Bishop, Gibsland Bank & Trust
- Hannah Brasuell, Century Next Bank
- Cinjon Brown, Origin Bank
- Lance Bruce, b1BANK
- Zach Dubiel, Heritage Bank of St. Tammany
- Candace Dunigan, Citizens National Bank
- Lisa Federick, Delta Bank
- Daniel Guedon, United Mississippi Bank
- Drake Hale, BOM Bank
- Lorie Hamlin, Century Next Bank
- Mel Harvey, Bank of St. Francisville
- Ashley Hebert, Farmers-Merchants Bank & Trust Co.
- Heath Heisler, Homeland Bank
- Palmer Jarrell, b1BANK
- Connie Kelley, Century Next Bank
- Brandi Landry, Rayne State Bank & Trust Co.
- Luke Lucky, BOM Bank
- Johnny Maxwell, Origin Bank
- Alisha Meeker, Citizens National Bank
- Jordan Moreau, Simmesport State Bank
- Jacob Murchison, BOM Bank
- Colby Nichols, Origin Bank
- Jamie Otwell, Peoples Bank
- Dustin Parker, Caldwell Bank & Trust Co.
- Justin Robinson, Citizens Progressive Bank
- David Saleh, Louisiana National Bank
- Aaron Savell, BOM Bank
- Kenny Sellars, Home Federal Bank
- Becky Sellers, First Guaranty Bank
- Reed Sexton, Ensure Agency
- Brennan Shelton, Cross Keys Bank
- Adrienne Stamper, Caldwell Holding Company
- John Sullivan, BOM Bank
- Sean Sumlin, Home Federal Bank
- Stephanie Tate, Rayne State Bank & Trust Co.
- Austin Taylor, Colfax Banking Co.
- Nate Trisler, Century Next Bank
- Alexis Webre, Century Next Bank
- Jamie White, Bank of St. Francisville
- Rebecca Williams, Caldwell Holding Company
- Hugh Wood, b1BANK
- Joey Wynn, Rayne State Bank & Trust Co.
A new cohort of 38 bankers completed their first year of courses and will return in June 2024 for a second year featuring BankExec simulations and case studies that will complement classroom discussions.
