Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC) has announced the retirement of their Chairman and CEO, George Makris, Jr., effective at the end of 2025. This will mark a significant leadership transition for the company, with Jay Brogdon set to assume the role of CEO and join the boards of directors starting January 1, 2026. Marty Casteel, a former Chairman, CEO, and President of Simmons Bank, will become the Chairman of both entities at the same time.
Under George Makris, Jr.'s tenure, the company has seen a period of unprecedented growth. During his leadership, the company underwent a geographic transformation that led to significant expansion and progress, even during complex and challenging environments. This has resulted in Simmons developing a talented executive leadership team with a long runway.
Jay Brogdon, who has served as President since January 2023, overseeing all revenue lines, finance, operations, information technology, and corporate strategy, will now step into the CEO role. He had previously worked at Stephens Inc. for over 13 years, where he served as a managing director in the investment banking division, and had also spent four years at Deloitte.
Simmons First National Corporation, founded in 1903, is a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends to its shareholders for 116 consecutive years. Its principal subsidiary, Simmons Bank, operates more than 220 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
In 2024, Simmons Bank was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Regional Banks 2025 and by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 2024-2025 Best Companies to Work For in the South. The company's commitment to building value for its customers, communities, and shareholders, and its focus on integrity and passion, sets the stage for continued progress and opportunities ahead. Today the company's shares have moved 0.21% to a price of $19.06. For more information, read the company's full 8-K submission here.
