Simmons Announces New CEO; Makris Stepping Down
In a significant move, Jay Brogdon has been appointed as the new CEO of Simmons First National Corp. and Simmons Bank, effective January 1, 2026 [1][2][3][4]. Brogdon, who currently serves as President of the banks, has been overseeing revenue lines, finance, operations, information technology, and corporate strategy since January 2023 [4].
Brogdon joined Simmons in 2021 as Chief Financial Officer, bringing with him extensive experience in investment banking and finance. Prior to joining Simmons, he worked at Stephens Inc. for over 13 years in its investment banking division, where he held the role of managing director [3][4]. Before that, he worked for 4 years at Deloitte [3].
Brogdon is taking over from George Makris Jr., who is retiring after more than a decade as CEO and 14 years leading Simmons Bank. Under Makris's leadership, Simmons transformed from an Arkansas community bank into a major regional institution spanning six states [1][3][5].
Marty Casteel, who has over 30 years tenure at Simmons Bank, will become the chair of both Simmons First National Corp. and Simmons Bank, effective January 1, 2026 [1][2]. Casteel's extensive experience and in-depth understanding of Simmons First National Corp. will be a valuable resource for Brogdon as he takes the helm.
The appointment of Brogdon as CEO has been met with positive reactions from analysts. Raymond James analysts see the appointment as relieving some uncertainty while also providing confidence that the forward outlook remains on track [6].
The announcement comes after Simmons announced a public offering of 16,220,000 shares of its Class A common stock priced at $18.50 per share in July [7]. The offering raised roughly $326.9 million for Simmons after deductions [7]. The funds raised are intended for general corporate purposes, which might include investments in Simmons Bank to support a $3.2 billion balance sheet repositioning [2].
The appointment of Brogdon and the successful public offering signal substantial progress on key internal initiatives, including the ongoing Better Bank Initiative and a recent held-to-maturity securities restructuring [8]. As Brogdon prepares to take over, he expressed his excitement about leading Simmons and continuing to build upon its culture and opportunities [3].
References:
- Simmons First National Corp. Announces New CEO
- Simmons First National Corp. Completes $326.9 Million Public Offering
- Simmons First National Corp. Announces Jay Brogdon as President and Chief Executive Officer
- Brogdon's Biography on Simmons First National Corp.'s Website
- Simmons First National Corp.'s History
- Raymond James Blog Post on Simmons First National Corp.
- Simmons First National Corp.'s Press Release on the Public Offering
- Simmons First National Corp.'s Press Release on the Better Bank Initiative
As Jay Brogdon takes over as the new CEO of Simmons First National Corp. and Simmons Bank, effective January 1, 2026, his extensive experience in finance, particularly in investment banking, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the business operations. This appointment follows Brogdon's successful tenure as President of the banks, where he has overseen various revenue lines, finance, operations, and corporate strategy since January 2023.
