Jerry Named to First Financial Bank Board of Directors
El Dorado — First Financial Bank is proud to announce the addition of Melissa Jerry as a member of their Board of Directors, effective July 17, 2019. Ms. Jerry began her banking career in 1989 as an internal auditor for the National Bank of Commerce in El Dorado (now Simmons Bank of El Dorado) and was later promoted to CFO. She joined First Financial Bank in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer, and was promoted to Assistant Secretary in 2002. Most recently, she was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2015 and has assumed responsibilities for oversight of Operations, Loan Servicing, and IT departments.
“Melissa has been as integral part of our success and growth over the past 20 years”, stated Jeff Nolan, chairman of the board at First Financial Bank. “Her leadership and work ethic will be a great asset to both our board and the bank as we continue to execute our strategic plan and provide greater value to our shareholders, our employees, and the communities where we do business”.
Melissa and her husband, Randy, have been married for 32 years and have three children and nine grandchildren. She is a member of the AICPA, Arkansas State Society of CPAs and the South Arkansas Chapter of CPAs. In 2011, she was a finalist for Arkansas Business CFO of the Year in the “Large Banks” category and currently serves on the board of the Arkansas Community Bankers Association.
A leader in her local community, she has previously served as a Commissioner for the El Dorado Water Utilities, and as a board member for both the SouthArk Community College Foundation and the Union County Community Foundation. She currently serves on the SouthArk Community College Board of Trustees. Melissa was recognized as “Outstanding Alumna” of SouthArk Community College in April, 2016.
She attends First United Methodist Church of El Dorado, where she serves on the Finance Committee. Her hobbies include fishing, golf, and spending tine at the lake.