Current Members of the

Board of Trustees

The Graduate School of Banking at LSU is governed by a Board of Trustees, which meets annually to review the School’s operations and to establish policy. This Board is composed of the chief executive officers (or designees) of the fifteen sponsoring state banker associations as well as one commercial banker (GSBLSU Alumni) from each of the sponsoring states (Appointed Trustees).  State banker association members serve on a permanent basis while Appointed Trustees serve for a two-year term (and may serve two consecutive terms).  The nine officers of the Board of Trustees make up the school’s Executive Committee, which meets more often on an “as needed” basis to handle decisions for the school in the interim between annual meetings.

Officers & Executive Committee

John W. Naughton
CEO & Director
Graduate School of Banking at LSU
Mobile, AL

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John Naughton is the CEO & Director of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.  Prior to his appointment with GSBLSU, John was a 20-year commercial lender in his hometown of Mobile, AL, with most of his career spent with First Community Bank and his last banking assignment being with Community Bank of Mississippi.

Prior to his banking career, he served in the US Navy in Alameda, CA, performing instrument calibration at the Shore In-Maintenance Activity (SIMA) and onboard the USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37).

John holds a BA degree in English from the University of South Alabama and is a graduate of the Alabama Banking School (2002) and GSBLSU (2017).  He and his wife, Monica, have four children – Lexi, Brannon, McCrary “Mac”, and Maggie, and two grandchildren – Stuart Michael “Mikey” & Cecilia Louise “Weezie”.

Kathy Kraninger
President & CEO
Florida Bankers Association
Tallahassee, FL

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As the President and CEO of the Florida Bankers Association (FBA), the Honorable Kathleen L. Kraninger serves as the premier voice for the banking industry in the state of Florida and leads the organization. The FBA proudly represents banks of all sizes operating in Florida through its advocacy; provides networking and education opportunities; and supports bank operations through the Florida Bankers Educational Foundation, the Florida Bankers Healthcare Consortium, and BancServ, Inc.

Kraninger has consistently driven results over her career by building consensus and coalitions to address some of the most challenging, controversial issues facing our country. Appointed by four Presidents to government posts and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Kraninger has been a trusted counselor and advisor to cabinet members and members of Congress of both parties for decades – focused on problem solving over politics and outcomes over credit.

As Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from December 2018 until January 2021, Kraninger made her mark on all aspects of the agency’s mission and operations, particularly in facilitating innovation, promoting financial inclusion and leading through the economic uncertainty of the global pandemic. In addition, Kraninger served on the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Financial Stability Oversight Board, and as chair of the Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council. Her distinguished public sector career spans senior roles at the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, the Office of Management and Budget, and in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and began with service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine.

In her personal capacity, Kraninger serves on her parish’s Finance Committee and the Milken Institute’s Fintech Advisory Council, among other volunteer engagements. Kraninger graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University and earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the Pennsylvania and DC Bars.

Ryan Earnest
President & CEO
First National Community Bank
Rome, GA

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Ryan Earnest’s career in banking began in 1996.  He joined the organizing staff of Heritage First Bank in October 2002 was elected as the bank’s President in May of 2008.  In December of 2017, Mr. Earnest was named the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer and in March of 2019, he was named Chief Executive Officer of Heritage First Bancshares, Inc.

With the merger of Heritage First Bancshares, Inc., and First Chatsworth Bankshares, Inc. (FCBI), on July 1, 2021, Earnest was named President and Chief Executive Officer of First National Community Bank and FCBI respectively and presently serves on both Boards of Directors.

Mr. Earnest received a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Georgia College and completed the requirements of a Diploma from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Mr. Earnest presently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Georgia Bankers Association, the Georgia Bankers Association Insurance Trust, Inc., Paragon Benefits, Inc., the Development Authority Floyd County, Georgia (Chairman),the Gordon County/Floyd County Joint Development Authority, Georgia (Treasurer), the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, Board of Trustees of the Rome/Floyd County YMCA (former Chairman), and the Floyd Healthcare Foundation (former Chairman).

Peter Gwaltney
President & CEO
North Carolina Bankers Assoc.
Raleigh, NC

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Peter Gwaltney has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Bankers Association since January 2015. He is a former banker and previously served as CEO of the Louisiana Bankers Association.  During his career, Peter has served on numerous committees with the American Bankers Association and currently serves on the ABA Board of Directors and Chairman of the ABA Alliance of State Bankers Associations. He is a Past Chairman of the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, a Past Chairman of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and current serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia and the Dean’s Advisory Council at the School of Business at Louisiana State University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Economics and Finance from Louisiana State University. Peter and his wife, Ginny, have six children and seven grandchildren.

John Griggs, III
Region Executive of Central SC
Synovus
Columbia, SC

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John Griggs is a native South Carolinian, John joined Synovus after earning his bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. In 2017, John received two key honors; he was named Outstanding Young Banker for 2017 by the South Carolina Bankers Association, and he was selected by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce as the Young Professional of the Year. When he isn’t working, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and watching Gamecock football.

Gordon Fellows
President & CEO
Mississippi Bankers Association
Ridgeland, MS

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Gordon Fellows serves as President & CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA), the state’s unified voice for the banking industry.  He oversees all aspects of the association, including the MBA’s policy advocacy and Government Relations initiatives.  He leads the MBA’s lobbying efforts at the Mississippi State Capitol and works closely with the Mississippi Congressional Delegation and national banking trade groups to support industry federal lobbying efforts as well.

Active in both state and federal industry affairs, Fellows currently serves on the ABA BankPac Committee, the political action committee of the American Bankers Association.  He also currently serves on the Independent and Community Bankers of America Legislative Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Business and Political Education Committee, more commonly known as BIPEC.

Gordon joined the Association in 2012 after working in the furniture industry for six years.  During his career in the furniture industry, Fellows was based in China on two separate occasions working for different companies.  During his time abroad, he managed a broad global supply chain, developed strategic sourcing relationships, and oversaw quality control and product development initiatives.

A native of Tupelo, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in international studies at the Croft Institute at the University of Mississippi in 2006 (and is an alumnus of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute for High School Students summer program)  During his time at Ole Miss, Fellows was active in various aspects of student life.  He was elected Associated Student President and was selected to the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame.  Gordon is married to the former Sara Hart Rosenblatt, and resides in Madison, MS.

Bruce T. Whitehurst
President & CEO
Virginia Bankers Assoc.
Glen Allen, VA

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Bruce joined the Virginia Bankers Association in 1993, its 100th anniversary year, following a 10-year career in retail and commercial banking. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the association since 2007 and was previously executive vice president.

As a banking industry advocate, Bruce is active at the national level. He served on the American Bankers Association’s Regulatory Reform Task Force during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and served as an ABA Board member and chairman of the Alliance of State Bankers Associations in 2012-2013. He has also served on the ABA Community Bankers Council and the ABA Government Relations Council.
While at the VBA, Bruce has worked with member banks in a variety of areas, to include government relations, education and training, financial literacy, and partnering with banks in a number of innovative ways to help them enter new lines of business. He also speaks about and on behalf of the industry on a regular basis.

Committed to serving his community, Bruce is a director of and has chaired United Methodist Family Services in Richmond, VA and the Virginia Council on Economic Education. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Ferrum College.

Bruce received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William & Mary, his MBA from the University of Richmond and is a graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.

Jason D. Smith
President & CEO
Bonvenu Bancshares, Inc.
Bossier City, LA

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Jason D. Smith is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bonvenu Bancshares, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bonvenu Bank, N.A. (formerly Citizens National Bank), where he also serves on the Boards of Directors of both companies.  Smith has spent his entire banking career in Bossier City, beginning in 1990 at the former Red River Valley Bank (now JP Morgan Chase).  He joined Citizens National Bank in 1994 as Assistant Vice President, advancing through roles of increasing responsibility before being named President and CEO in April 2016.
Beyond Bonvenu, Smith is active in banking leadership and education.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Louisiana Bankers Association and as Vice President of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, having previously served as one of its state trustees.  In 2018, he earned the Certified Community Bank Director designation from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.  He has also authored articles for the American Bankers Association Journal and regularly teaches financial literacy classes to students and adults throughout the community.
Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance (1990) and a Master of Business Administration (1995), both from Louisiana Tech University — an institution that has remained central throughout his career.  He is also a graduate of the ABA School of Commercial Lending at the University of Oklahoma (1994) and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University (2002).  Smith earned his Certified Public Accountant designation in 1999 and currently holds CPA (inactive) status with the Louisiana State Board of CPAs.
Smith’s community involvement spans economic development, education, and civic leadership.  He serves on the Board of Directors of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership and the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, where he has served as Vice Chair – Economic Development (2024) and currently serves as Vice Chair –Membership.  He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce (2006–2015),chairing its board in 2013.  He is a member of the Shreveport-Bossier Committee of 100 and Leaders for a Better Louisiana.  In education, he serves on Louisiana Tech’s College of Business Student Investment Fund Advisory Board and was instrumental in founding the Louisiana Tech School of Banking, serving as its inaugural Advisory Board Chairman.
Smith is married to the former Kimmie Farrar, Pre-K through Fifth Grade Elementary Supervisor for Curriculum and Guidance in Bossier Parish.  They have three children: Audrey (24), Addyson (21), and Austin (18).  An avid runner and golfer, Smith remains closely tied to his alma mater — while a student at Louisiana Tech, he was initiated into the Eta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity, where he now serves as Alumni Chapter Commander and was named the fraternity’s national Alumni Chapter Officer of the Year in 2021.

James ‘Scott’ Cocanougher
Chief Executive Officer
First Community Bank of Tennessee
Shelbyville, TN

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Scott Cocanougher, CEO of First Community Bank of Tennessee located in Shelbyville TN is a graduate of Texas A & M University and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU class of 2003.  He began his career in banking in his hometown of Decatur Texas where he started from the ground up of the bank, working thru Bookkeeping, teller work, data processing and then into the lending function.  He moved to Tennessee in 1997 where he received his first rolls in management eventually serving as the bank President, now CEO and board member of the Bank Holding Company and the Bank.

As of 2024, Scott would have completed 40 years in the banking industry, serving in many areas for two different community banks, primarily in the lending area.  He is active in his local community having served in many local organizations, is serving on the Tennessee Bankers Association Board of Directors and active on committees for the association.  He recently joined the Board of Trustees for the Graduate School of Banking at LSU after serving as the State of Tennessee Trustee for 5 years.

He is married and a father of two sons, spends his free time with wife and family.  You can find him on his farm, hunting, an occasional golf game and enjoying the outdoors.

State Association Executives

Colin Barrett
President & CEO
Tennessee Bankers Assoc.
Nashville, TN

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Colin Barrett has served as President and CEO of the Tennessee Bankers Association (TBA) since 2013. The TBA, founded in 1890, is a not-for-profit trade organization representing Tennessee’s commercial banks and thrift institutions.

He previously was executive vice president, responsible for government relations in both Nashville and Washington, D.C., with oversight of TBA’s education and communication efforts, as well as member relations with the 177 banks with operations in Tennessee.

Formerly, he was with the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C., where he served two stints between 2001 and 2005 as regional membership manager.

During 2003, Colin took a leave from the ABA to serve as regional development manager for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, based in Washington. In this position, he coordinated and managed a nationwide fund-raising program with U.S. Senators.

Colin earned his M.A. degree in political management from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

He and his wife, Rachel, live in Nashville with their son, William.

Adrian Beverage
President & CEO
Oklahoma Bankers Assoc.
Oklahoma City, OK

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Adrian Beverage is an Oklahoma native. He joined the OBA in 2000 and became President and CEO of the Association in 2021.

He graduated in 1999 from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science where he once coached men’s basketball.

Tripp Cofield
President & CEO
Georgia Bankers Assoc.

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Brent Cox *Designee
Vice President of Member Relations
Texas Bankers Association
Austin, TX

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Brent Cox has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry with a wide breadth of responsibilities, which include sales leadership, product development & implementation, FinTech innovation and is the owner of several technology patents. His many years of diverse experience bring a unique set of skills and knowledge to the TBA. Brent’s responsibilities within the TBA are unique and focus primarily on our alliances with undergraduate and graduate banking programs. Brent currently serves as an Advisory Board Member for banking programs at Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and The Graduate School of Banking at LSU. In addition to his advocacy for the growth and advancement of existing banking programs, Brent is active in the development of new University programs that will advance the opportunity for increased diversity, inclusion, and talent expansion on behalf of the banking industry.

Gordon Fellows
President & CEO
Mississippi Bankers Association
Ridgeland, MS

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Gordon Fellows serves as President & CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA), the state’s unified voice for the banking industry.  He oversees all aspects of the association, including the MBA’s policy advocacy and Government Relations initiatives.  He leads the MBA’s lobbying efforts at the Mississippi State Capitol and works closely with the Mississippi Congressional Delegation and national banking trade groups to support industry federal lobbying efforts as well.

Active in both state and federal industry affairs, Fellows currently serves on the ABA BankPac Committee, the political action committee of the American Bankers Association.  He also currently serves on the Independent and Community Bankers of America Legislative Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Business and Political Education Committee, more commonly known as BIPEC.

Gordon joined the Association in 2012 after working in the furniture industry for six years.  During his career in the furniture industry, Fellows was based in China on two separate occasions working for different companies.  During his time abroad, he managed a broad global supply chain, developed strategic sourcing relationships, and oversaw quality control and product development initiatives.

A native of Tupelo, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in international studies at the Croft Institute at the University of Mississippi in 2006 (and is an alumnus of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute for High School Students summer program)  During his time at Ole Miss, Fellows was active in various aspects of student life.  He was elected Associated Student President and was selected to the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame.  Gordon is married to the former Sara Hart Rosenblatt, and resides in Madison, MS.

Fred L. Green, III
President & CEO
South Carolina Bankers Association
Columbia, SC

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Fred Green has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the South Carolina Bankers Association (SCBA) since 2012. Prior to joining SCBA, he enjoyed a 33 year career within the South Carolina banking industry.  Fred is a native of Georgetown and graduate of the University of South Carolina, he began his banking career with Citizens & Southern National Bank. In 1991, he joined the National Bank of South Carolina (NBSC) as Executive Vice President where he later named President, CEO and Chairman. In 2003 after NBSC was acquired by Synovus, he moved to Georgia to serve as President, Chief Operating Officer and as Vice Chairman for the five-state bank holding company.

Green, now a Columbia resident, previously served as Director of the Federal Reserve Bank and on its Federal Advisory Council for the 5th and 6th District Banks.

Peter Gwaltney
President & CEO
North Carolina Bankers Assoc.
Raleigh, NC

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Peter Gwaltney has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Bankers Association since January 2015. He is a former banker and previously served as CEO of the Louisiana Bankers Association.  During his career, Peter has served on numerous committees with the American Bankers Association and currently serves on the ABA Board of Directors and Chairman of the ABA Alliance of State Bankers Associations. He is a Past Chairman of the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, a Past Chairman of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and current serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia and the Dean’s Advisory Council at the School of Business at Louisiana State University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Economics and Finance from Louisiana State University. Peter and his wife, Ginny, have six children and seven grandchildren.

Jackson Hataway
President
Missouri Bankers Assoc.
Jefferson City, MO

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Kathy Kraninger
President & CEO
Florida Bankers Association
Tallahassee, FL

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As the President and CEO of the Florida Bankers Association (FBA), the Honorable Kathleen L. Kraninger serves as the premier voice for the banking industry in the state of Florida and leads the organization. The FBA proudly represents banks of all sizes operating in Florida through its advocacy; provides networking and education opportunities; and supports bank operations through the Florida Bankers Educational Foundation, the Florida Bankers Healthcare Consortium, and BancServ, Inc.

Kraninger has consistently driven results over her career by building consensus and coalitions to address some of the most challenging, controversial issues facing our country. Appointed by four Presidents to government posts and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Kraninger has been a trusted counselor and advisor to cabinet members and members of Congress of both parties for decades – focused on problem solving over politics and outcomes over credit.

As Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from December 2018 until January 2021, Kraninger made her mark on all aspects of the agency’s mission and operations, particularly in facilitating innovation, promoting financial inclusion and leading through the economic uncertainty of the global pandemic. In addition, Kraninger served on the board of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Financial Stability Oversight Board, and as chair of the Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council. Her distinguished public sector career spans senior roles at the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, the Office of Management and Budget, and in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and began with service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine.

In her personal capacity, Kraninger serves on her parish’s Finance Committee and the Milken Institute’s Fintech Advisory Council, among other volunteer engagements. Kraninger graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University and earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the Pennsylvania and DC Bars.

Scott Latham
President & CEO
Alabama Bankers Assoc.
Montgomery, AL

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Scott E. Latham serves as president and CEO of the Alabama Bankers Association, a professional trade association representing nearly 150 commercial banks across Alabama with combined deposits exceeding $100 billion in more than 1,466 locations.

Having served in this capacity since 1997, he is an active member of the Alliance of State Bankers Associations, a division of the American Bankers Association, and just completed a term serving as chairman.

He serves as a member of the board of trustees of Freed- Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., as well as Lads to Leaders & Leaderettes, a Montgomery, Ala. organization promoting Christian leadership among youth.

He holds an MBA from Auburn University in Montgomery and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

He and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters, Abby and Caroline, and are active members of the University Church of Christ. Scott serves the church as an elder, and both Michelle and Scott serve as Sunday School teachers and are active in many areas of the church.

Ginger Laurent
Chief Executive Officer
Louisiana Bankers Association
Baton Rouge, LA

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Ginger joined the LBA staff in 2000 after spending over 16 years as a banker in the Acadiana market. She holds an undergraduate degree in Communications and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Ginger is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. She is a graduate of The Graduate School of Banking at LSU, LBA School of Banking and LBSST. In addition to Ginger’s role as chief executive officer for the LBA, she also manages the Louisiana Bankers Service Corporation, Bankers Benefits of Louisiana and Louisiana Bankers Education Foundation.

Mark Mangano
President & CEO
West Virginia Bankers Assoc.
Charleston, WV

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Mark Mangano is the West Virginia Bankers Association President and CEO. He assumed the role in March 2023. Prior to joining the association Mark has pursued a varied career including owning and leading a community bank; pursuing a law practice focused on litigation, business transactions, and board governance; and providing strategic planning consulting services to banks and nonprofit organizations. Also, Mark’s career includes service and leadership on numerous nonprofit, governmental, and banking boards. Mark strives to use his career experiences to help bring new perspectives to help teams solve both routine and complex challenges.

Timothy Schenk
General Counsel & Director of Education
Kentucky Bankers Assoc.
Louisville, KY

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Timothy Schenk is General Counsel at the Kentucky Bankers Association.  Tim serves as counsel to 153 member banks ranging in asset size of $21mil to $140bil where he leads the KBA’s lobbying efforts and regulatory team. Tim has previously worked as a partner at the law firms of Wyatt Tarrant & Combs and Morgan Pottinger & McGarvey and as Senior Vice President of litigation of Limestone Bank.

Lorrie Trogden
President & CEO
Arkansas Bankers Assoc.
Little Rock, AR

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Lorrie serves as the President/CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association. She leads the Association’s strategic initiatives, including planning, member services, governance, and legislative affairs at the state and federal level.

Trogden has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Masters of Science in Operations Management, and is an American Society of Association Executives Certified Association Executive.

She serves as the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board for the Graduate School of Banking at Madison, Wisconsin, a trustee for the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, Economics Arkansas Executive Committee, Arkansas Capital Corporation Executive Committee, State Alliance of Banking Associations Executive Committee, American BankPAC Board of Directors, and the American Society of Association Executives Government Relations Committee.

Bruce T. Whitehurst
President & CEO
Virginia Bankers Assoc.
Glen Allen, VA

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Bruce joined the Virginia Bankers Association in 1993, its 100th anniversary year, following a 10-year career in retail and commercial banking. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the association since 2007 and was previously executive vice president.

As a banking industry advocate, Bruce is active at the national level. He served on the American Bankers Association’s Regulatory Reform Task Force during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and served as an ABA Board member and chairman of the Alliance of State Bankers Associations in 2012-2013. He has also served on the ABA Community Bankers Council and the ABA Government Relations Council.
While at the VBA, Bruce has worked with member banks in a variety of areas, to include government relations, education and training, financial literacy, and partnering with banks in a number of innovative ways to help them enter new lines of business. He also speaks about and on behalf of the industry on a regular basis.

Committed to serving his community, Bruce is a director of and has chaired United Methodist Family Services in Richmond, VA and the Virginia Council on Economic Education. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Ferrum College.

Bruce received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William & Mary, his MBA from the University of Richmond and is a graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.

Appointed Trustees

Jeanne Applegate, CRCM, CAMS

Jeanne Applegate, CRCM, CAMS
Bank Secrecy Act Senior Director
Arvest Bank
Inola, Oklahoma

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Jeanne Applegate has worked in the banking industry for 40 years, with a dedicated focus on consumer protection and anti-money laundering laws and regulations since 1991. She currently serves as the Senior Director/BSA Officer for Arvest Bank, a $26B bank with operations in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. She has also served as the Managing Director for BSA/AML Compliance Services at Professional Bank Services in Louisville, Kentucky, and as the Chief Compliance and BSA Officer for BOK Financial Corporation in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Jeanne worked for the FDIC as a Senior Compliance Examiner and Review Examiner in the Dallas Region.

She has been a faculty member at the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University since 1998, and was honored with the Eugene Spragens President’s Award for teaching excellence from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU in 2014. Jeanne has been an Advisory Director for the ABA’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Conference since 2021. She is a graduate of Northeastern State University with a degree in Finance, and she holds designations as a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.

Bill Cable
President & Chief Executive Officer
Peoples Bank NC
Newton, NC

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Bill began his career as a bank examiner with the FDIC in the Charlotte, NC office.  He left the government behind to create a risk management department for Peoples Bank in 1995.  Bill has served in numerous management positions in the Bank and has been thoroughly converted from a regulator to a Banker.  He graduated from the LSU Graduate School of Banking in 2005 and was promoted from Chief Operating Officer to President & CEO in September 2024.

Corey Chesnut
President
A Hometown Bank
Corbin, KY

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Corey Chesnut is President of Hometown Bank, bringing over 15 years of experience in management, operations, and customer relations. A 2018 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, he also holds an MBA from Union College and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Throughout his career, Corey has focused on driving growth, fostering innovation, and building strong relationships within the communities he serves.

John Griggs, III
Region Executive of Central SC
Synovus
Columbia, SC

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John Griggs is a native South Carolinian, John joined Synovus after earning his bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. In 2017, John received two key honors; he was named Outstanding Young Banker for 2017 by the South Carolina Bankers Association, and he was selected by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce as the Young Professional of the Year. When he isn’t working, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and watching Gamecock football.

Tami Groth
Government Relationship Manager
The Huntington National Bank
Miramar Beach, FL
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Tami Groth is a Government Relationship Manager at Huntington Bank, specializing in strategic financial solutions for municipalities and public sector clients. She advises organizations across Northwest Florida and South Alabama on optimizing capital, safeguarding public funds, and achieving long-term fiscal stability.

With more than 34 years of experience in commercial banking and relationship management, Tami has a proven track record of structuring complex credit solutions and fostering sustainable growth. She is recognized for building trusted partnerships with business leaders, developers, and community stakeholders.

Before joining Huntington, Tami served as Community Bank President at Cadence Bank and Market President for Okaloosa County at Community Bank of Mississippi. In these leadership roles, she drove market growth, enhanced client experience, and strengthened community engagement.

At Huntington, Tami combines deep local market expertise with the resources of a national platform, partnering closely with treasury management, capital markets, and public funds specialists to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions

Tami holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Marketing from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she was a member of the Big 8 Championship women’s basketball team. She is a member of FGOAA and FGFOA and serves on the Board of Trustees for GSBLSU.

Tami resides in Destin, Florida, with her family and remains actively involved in her community through volunteer work.

John Hairston
President & CEO
Hancock Whitney
Gulfport, MS

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John Hairston has served as CEO since 2006. He also served as Chief Operating Officer (2008-2014). He joined the company in 1994. Earlier in his career, he specialized in financial services consulting with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture).

Hairston is active in business, community, economic development, and educational initiatives throughout his native Mississippi. In 2004 and 2009, Governor Haley Barbour appointed him Director of the Board of Mississippi Information Technology Services, which he chaired in his second term. He received appointments in 2005 and 2010 to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, one of the three-member body regulating the state’s gaming industry; and in 2012, Governor Phil Bryant appointed him chair of that commission. Hairston also co-chaired Governor Bryant’s GoCoast 2020 Commission Tourism Committee and continues to serve as co-chair of Governor Tate Reeves’ Tourism Committee for reinvesting the proceeds of BP oil spill funds. He is past chairman and currently a member of the Gulf Coast Business Council board of directors

Hairston is also active in South Louisiana economic activities and a member of the New Orleans Business Council Board of Directors.

A sixth-generation Mississippian, Hairston resides in Gulfport, Mississippi, with Ann Hairston, his wife of 32 years.

Cody Knight
Chief Risk Officer
FM Bank & Trust
Piggott, AR

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Cody Knight is responsible for overseeing the loan assets, investments, liabilities and other bank related functions at Piggott State Bank.

A veteran in the banking industry, Cody’s 22-year tenure began at Union Planters Bank where he started as a teller while attending Arkansas State University. Following that, Cody moved to a small community bank in Jonesboro that later became Iberiabank. There, Cody performed various functions from branch management to commercial credit analysis.  He then took a position with Bank of Salem as Vice President of Lending where he continued until making the permanent move to Piggott State Bank.

Cody was hired to assume the duties of CEO upon the retirement of Piggott State Bank’s 25 year leader.  After one year of serving under the former CEO, Cody assumed full responsibilities.  Since taking over Cody has increased loans by 215% and increased assets by 62%.

Cody graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in Chemistry/Zoology. He completed the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in 2013, CBIS from Graduate School of Banking Colorado in 2023 and has served in numerous roles with the Arkansas Bankers Association.

Cody is married with two children and resides in Piggott, AR.

Tim Leonard

Chief Information Officer
Commercial Bank of Texas
Nacogdoches, TX

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Tim Leonard is Chief Information Officer for Commercial Bank of Texas. He has over 25 years of experience leading IT strategy, infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and information security. He has spoken at both state and national conventions concerning financial technology, cyber security and fraud.

Tim is CISSP certified, and holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Penn State University, a certificate from the LSU Graduate School of Banking, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Pre-Medicine/Microbiology from Stephen F. Austin State University.

In addition to his CIO role, Tim currently teaches at Texas Tech University’s Graduate School of Banking. Earlier in his career, he worked as a private investigator and computer forensic examiner.

Chairman, President and CEO
B1 Bank
Baton Rouge, LA

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Jude Melville serves as chairman and CEO of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST) and b1BANK. Under Jude’s leadership, b1BANK has grown to $7.9 billion in assets across Louisiana and Texas, completed six whole-bank acquisitions, added subsidiaries Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC, and Waterstone LSP, LLC, and began b1FOUNDATION, a non-profit focused on mentoring small businesses within the company’s footprint.

Jude served as a captain in the United States Air Force, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics. He is past chair of the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry and past president of the Federal Reserve Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. The Financial Technology Report named Jude one of “Top 50 Technology CEOs of 2024.” b1BANK is a multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine’s “Best Banks to Work” award and 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner.

Craig Millington
Community President
Mid-Missouri Bank
Republic, MO

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Craig Millington has been in banking in some capacity for over 18 years.  Starting as a teller while completing a finance degree and masters of business administration from Missouri State University.  Since 2011, Craig has worked for Mid-Missouri Bank headquartered out of Springfield MO.  During his tenure with Mid-Missouri Craig has worked as a Credit Analyst, Commercial Lender, Director of Credit Analysis, and currently serves as Community President for Mid-Missouri’s Republic and Willard markets.  Craig attended and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in 2018.

In addition to GSBLSU, Craig serves on the Missouri Bankers Association Next Gen Board and was honored to be the MBA’s Young Bankers Leadership Award Recipient in 2021.

In his free time, Craig enjoys spending time with his family with his wife, Melissa, his daughter, Rylie, and son, Hayes.

Perry Revell
Chief Executive Officer
AB&T
Albany, GA

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Perry Revell has built a reputation for developing commercial relationships and is known for serving as a resource to his clients. As a champion of intentional relationships built on mutual trust and enduring commitment, his leadership guides AB&T’s vision of becoming the gold standard of community banking.

Born and raised in Albany, Perry attended Deerfield-Windsor School before pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Georgia. He furthered his education by graduating from the Georgia Academy of Economic Development and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Beyond the bank, Perry is deeply involved in his local community. He has served on the boards of various civic organizations and non-profits, such as the United Way, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, the Payroll Development Authority, and Albany League Baseball, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact. Perry served as Chairman of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce in 2020 and 2023.

Sherri Sackett
Chief Executive Officer
Select Bank
Lynchburg, VA

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Sherri Sackett, Select Bank, career banker and transformative leader with over two decades of experience in the banking industry, renowned for her strategic foresight and dedication to excellence. As a founding member of Select Bank, she has built a legacy of innovation, launching two de novo banks, leading capital raises, advancing commercial lending with a focus on the banks digital architecture and technology adoption.

Sackett champions cultural engagement and the adoption customer first solutions, driving Select Bank’s evolution with a collaborative, team-centered approach. Her financial expertise extends to organizing complex debt and stock offerings that have strengthened the bank’s capital base and growth trajectory.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina, the Virginia School of Bank Management, and Graduate School of Banking at LSU, Sackett is also an influential voice in the region. She serves on the Select Bank and Select Bank Financial Corporation board of directors as well as the Central Virginia Governor’s School Foundation and the Virginia Bankers Association.

Samuel Short
Chief Executive Officer
Souther Bank of TN
Mount Juliet, TN

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Sam Short, CEO of Southern Bank of Tennessee is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and LSU’s Graduate School of Banking. He began his career as a bank examiner with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.

Sam’s professional experience included time spent with two Tennessee banks, including Bank of the South, which previously was headquartered in Mt. Juliet. At Bank of the South, Short worked in the Rutherford County market in his hometown of Smyrna. During this period he held a number of positions including serving as a Consumer and Commercial Lending Officer.

After Bank of the South’s merger with another institution, Short continued to work as a commercial lender with a primary focus in the area of real estate earning him the distinction of being titled a Real Estate Lending Specialist.

In 2012 he became one of 10 original employees with Southern Bank. Before his appointment as Southern Bank’s CEO, he served as the bank’s senior vice president and senior lender while working closely with the bank’s management team on day-to-day operations.

In his free time, Sam enjoys spending time with his wife, Brooklyn and two sons.  He also enjoys playing golf and traveling.

Scott Steele
President & CEO
Citizens Bank of Weston
Weston WV

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Experienced banking chief executive officer with several years in the industry including executive positions with de novo banks and community banks in business for over 100 years. Have been involved in a wide variety of Banking products and industries including consumer, agricultural, construction lending, real estate development and debt management. Enjoy managing relationships with financial institutions, small business owners, individual clients as well as large corporate accounts, banks and third-party administrators.

Scott is originally from White Sulphur Springs, WV with a Bachelors degree from West Virginia University.  He is GSBLSU Class of 2009 graduate with 10 years experience as a community bank President & CEO.  He previously worked as President & CEO of The Bank of Fincastle (located in Fincastle Virginia) and was named President & CEO of Citizens Bank of Weston in December 2022.

He is married to Kischa Steele since October 1997 and has two children.

Jason Windham
President
Interstate Billing Service
Bank Independent
Decatur, AL

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Jason Windham has 27 years of banking experience in Alabama. He is a member of the Executive team at Bank Independent (BI) headquartered in Florence, Alabama, and serves as President of Interstate Billing Service (IBS) located in Decatur, Alabama, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BI. Prior to accepting his current position, he worked in Credit Risk and Sales Management at BI. He is a member of various committees such as Executive Committee, Leadership Committee, and the Sales and Marketing Committee. Prior to joining the BI team in 2009, he worked one year as a Commercial Lender with First National Bank of Jasper and twelve years as an Examiner with the Alabama State Banking Department.

Jason is a 2001 graduate of the University of Alabama in Birmingham (MBA), 1996 graduate of Troy University (B.S. Finance), and a graduate of both the LSU Graduate School of Banking (2006), and the Alabama Banking School (2003). Jason has worked with Alabama Banking School (ABS) as a faculty member and in various other capacities for 18 years, including serving as the Class Director for the Class of 2013, the 2015-2016 Assistant School Director and 2017-2018 School Director. Jason is a former member of the Bankers 2 Leaders Board, former Chairman and current Vice Chairman of the Board of Mars Hill Bible School in Florence and serves as a deacon in the local church.

Administrative Officers & Staff

John W. Naughton
CEO & Director
Graduate School of Banking at LSU
Mobile, AL

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John Naughton is the CEO and Director of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.  Prior to his appointment with GSBLSU, John was a 20-year commercial lender in his hometown of Mobile, AL, with most of his career spent with First Community Bank and his last banking assignment being with Community Bank of Mississippi.

Prior to his banking career, he served in the US Navy in Alameda, CA, performing instrument calibration at the Shore In-Maintenance Activity (SIMA) and onboard the USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37).

John holds a BA degree in English from the University of South Alabama and is a graduate of the Alabama Banking School (2002) and GSBLSU (2017).  He and his wife, Monica, have four children – Lexi, Brannon, McCrary “Mac”, and Maggie, and two grandchildren – Stuart Michael “Mikey” & Cecilia Louise “Weezie”.

Michael J. Highfield, Ph.D., CFA, CTP, ChBP
President & Chief Academic Officer
Madison, MS

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Dr. Michael (Mike) Highfield is the President and Chief Academic Office at The Graduate School of Banking at LSU. He received his BBA and MBA from Mississippi State University before earning an MS in Economics and Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Kentucky. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute, the Certified Treasury Professional® (CTP) designation from the Association for Financial Professionals, and the Chartered Banking Professional® (ChBP) designation from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.  

 A former faculty member at Louisiana Tech University (2002-2005), Mike later served on the faculty at Mississippi State University (2005-2023) in the capacity of Department Head of Finance & Economics, faculty representative on the MSU Foundation’s investment committee, chair of the university’s Department Head Executive Committee, and chair of the university’s Financial Conflict of Interest Committee. He is a Past President of the American Real Estate Society (ARES), a member of the ARES Foundation Board of Directors, Treasurer for the Mississippi College Foundation, a volunteer and consultant for the CFA Institute, and a faculty member, President & Chief Academic Officer at GSBLSU. 

 Mike and his wife, Shelley, currently live in Madison, Mississippi. Their son, Tyler, is a Midshipman and Aerospace Engineering major at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  

Corinne Long
Vice President for Aministration
GSBLSU
Baton Rouge, LA

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Theresa Roussel
Administrative Assistant
GSBLSU
Baton Rouge, LA

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Julianne Gouner
Administrative Assistant
GSBLSU
Baton Rouge, LA

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Victoria Long
Administrative Assistant
GSBLSU
Baton Rouge, LA

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Madison Welch
Administrative Assistant
GSBLSU
Baton Rouge, LA

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Don L. Woodland, Ph.D
Director Emeritus
GSBLSU