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Farmers & Merchants Bank

Holzhauer, Smith Promoted to Key Leadership Roles :: News

Holzhauer, Smith Promoted to Key Leadership Roles

STUTTGART, AR –The Board of Directors of Farmers & Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville announces the promotion of two employees to key leadership roles. Blake Holzhauer will serve as Chief Credit Officer and Sammie Smith will serve as the organization’s Chief Analytics Officer.

“As our institution continues to grow and expand into new markets,  we remain focused on ensuring that our team has the experience and skill set to provide customers with the best products and services”, explained Farmers and Merchants Bank President and CEO Brad Chambless. “Blake and Sammie are truly elite bankers with incredible work ethics, and their leadership has directly impacted our institution's success. I am honored to announce these well-deserved promotions.”

Blake Holzhauer joined Farmers and Merchants Bank in 2018 and has served as the Northwest Arkansas Market President and SVP, Chief Commercial Lending Officer before being named as the financial institution’s Chief Credit Officer. In his new role, he will oversee lending for 26 branches across the state. Holzhauer comes to his new position with 20 years of banking industry experience.

A native of Gillett, Holzhauer holds a Bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and is an alumnus of the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN. Holzhauer resides in Fayetteville and is active in the local community. Blake has served on the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was also the Vice President of the Fayetteville High School Football Booster Club.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead lending operations across the state as Chief Credit Officer for Farmers and Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville," commented Blake Holzhauer. "Farmers and Merchants Bank has helped small businesses and families reach their financial goals for more than 75 years, and I'm proud to work to continue our legacy. I look forward to working with our incredibly talented team of lenders as we continue to support customers' goals for the future while growing our brand across Arkansas."

Longtime employee Sammie Smith started her career with Farmers and Merchants Bank, previously known as Integrity First Bank, of Mountain Home in 1998 in the Trust and Wealth Management Division. However, the majority of her tenure has been spent in Accounting and Finance where she has focused on budgeting, forecasting, and other bank management responsibilities.  Before being named Chief Analytics Officer, Smith worked as the Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager.

Smith is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Arkansas. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Barret School of Banking.

Smith and her family reside in Mountain Home. She is active in the local community as a lifetime member of Junior Auxiliary of Mountain Home and is a former board member of Baxter Health.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to utilize my banking analytics background to help Farmers and Merchants Bank achieve its strategic goals”, commented Smith. “I am also excited to work side-by-side with incredible teammates to benefit the long-term financial planning of the bank.”

 

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