Huddle Up: MidSouth in La. Taps Former NFL Quarterback as Chairman

A former NFL quarterback is set to become next chairman of MidSouth Bancorp in Lafayette, La.

The $2 billion-asset company said in a press release Monday that former Carolina Panthers signal caller Jake Delhomme will lead its board, effective Dec. 31. Delhomme will succeed Will Charbonnet Sr., a board co-founder who will retire after serving as chairman since 1990.

Delhomme, who has served on the bank's board for about four years, played in the National Football League for more than a decade, making one Super Bowl appearance with the Panthers. He played college football at what is now called the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

"We are thankful for the key role [Delhomme] has played in the oversight and governance of our company over the past four years, and for his long-term view about building on our successes and learning from our mistakes," Rusty Cloutier, MidSouth Bancorp's president and chief executive, said in the release.

The company also appointed Joe Tortorice Jr., CEO of Jason's Deli and a Midsouth director since 2004, to become vice chairman, effective Dec. 31.

MidSouth has 57 branches in Louisiana and Texas.