Delta Colossus: Tech-driven Simmons Bank Enters New Era of Leadership & Growth

By the Arkansas Delta Informer Staff

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Feb. 9, 2026 – Simmons First National Corp., the Pine Bluff-rooted institution that grew from a local community lender into a regional powerhouse, has officially entered a new chapter. Following the retirement of longtime Chairman and CEO George Makris Jr. at the end of 2025, Jay Brogdon has stepped into the role of CEO, signaling a strategic focus on building a deep executive bench to sustain the bank’s rapid expansion.

The leadership transition, which became effective Jan. 1, also sees Marty Casteel, a former Simmons Bank CEO and 30-year veteran of the company, return to serve as Chairman for both the publicly traded Pine Bluff-based parent corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary in downtown Little Rock.

A Legacy of Transformation

Under Makris’s decade-plus tenure, Simmons underwent a dramatic geographic transformation. What began as a community bank in the Arkansas Delta has evolved into a financial group with operations across six states—Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

With total assets exceeding $26 billion, Simmons now ranks among the 100 largest banks in the United States. This growth was fueled by a disciplined acquisition strategy, including the $581 million purchase of Spirit of Texas Bancshares in April 2022.

During Makris’s tenure, which began in January 2013, Simmons acquired more than 13 community and regional banks across a six-state footprint, beginning with the acquisition of Little Rock community banks, Metropolitan National Bank, and Delta Trust & Banking Corp. in his first year. Before those local deals, Simmons had total assets of less than $10 billion with a few dozen banks dotted across Arkansas.

Building the “Next Phase” Bench

New CEO Jay Brogdon, who joined Simmons as CFO in 2021 before being named President in 2023, is wasting no time in fortifying the bank’s leadership. In February 2026, the bank announced several heavy-hitting appointments designed to drive “organic growth and efficiency,” he said. His recent hires include:

• Brian Jackson (formerly of Regions Bank) joined as President of Consumer and Wealth Management.
• Jonathan Schneider (formerly of Veritex Bank) was appointed President of Commercial Banking.
• David Kennedy joined as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer to oversee infrastructure and technical strategy.

“The unique skills, experiences and perspectives Brian and Jonathan bring will be invaluable as we embark on our next phase of growth,” Brogdon said of the new appointments.

Deepening Roots in Wealth Management

The bank is also significantly expanding its specialized services. A new 8-member Private Banking and Wealth Management team, led by industry veteran Rick Sartori, recently joined Simmons from BMO Financial Group. This team will focus on high-net-worth clients in key Midwestern markets, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Wichita.

Transformation into a Technology-Driven Financial Group

As more and more consumers are turning to online banking, fintech solutions and apps, Simmons is increasingly defined by a shift toward digital-first operations:

• Technology Strategy: Under the leadership of newly hired CTO David Kennedy and CIO Ann Madea, the bank is focused on enhancing the “resilience and scalability” of its platforms while using technology to drive innovation and cost reduction.
• Digital Growth: Simmons’ digital account-opening platform saw a 103% growth in the latter half of 2024.
• Innovation in Mobile Banking: The bank recently implemented a near-real-time mobile deposit system that uses a custom scoring algorithm to assess depositor risk, enabling funds availability in as little as five seconds.
• Data-Driven Operations: The bank is actively investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to improve operational efficiency and identify new revenue opportunities.

A Delta Success Story

Despite its expanding size, Simmons remains closely connected to its rural roots in Arkansas. Founded in 1903 by Dr. John Franklin Simmons in Pine Bluff, the bank has earned a reputation for resilience, being among the first in the state to reopen after the Great Depression and later taking advantage of key FDIC acquisitions following the 2008 Great Recession.

As the bank continues its transformation, the new leadership team appears focused on proving that a bank born in the Arkansas Delta can compete at the highest levels of American finance while maintaining its “client-centric” heritage.

“I am honored to lead Simmons and humbled to follow in the footsteps of George, Tommy May and the many incredible leaders who came before me,” Brogdon said after being named CEO in late 2025.

“Simmons is committed to building value for our customers, communities, and shareholders, and our team does this with great integrity and passion,” he continued. “We will continue to build upon our longstanding culture and are excited about the opportunities ahead.”