Southwest in Oklahoma Hires Search Firm as CEO Plans Retirement

Southwest Bancorp (OKSB) in Stillwater, Okla., has hired a search firm to help it find a successor for its president and chief executive.

Rick Green, who has been the $2.4 billion-asset company's leader since 1999, plans to retire in January. Fraser Keating Associates will conduct a national search for a new president and CEO, the company said in press release.

"I would like for two of my last accomplishments at Southwest to be leaving a strong management team in place as well as finding a successor CEO who is ready to lead Southwest into the future," Green, 64, said in the release. "My goal has always been to retire at age 65, and I believe this is an opportune time to start that process."

Southwest also moved several executives to new posts.

Brent Bates was named chief credit officer. Bates, who had been a senior credit officer at unit Stillwater National, succeeded Priscilla Barnes, who was named the company's chief operating officer. The company also hired Rusty LaForge as its general counsel; he had previously served as a lawyer at McAfee & Taft, where he had handled some legal affairs for Southwest.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Community banking
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER