BATESVILLE -- Citizens Bank, headquartered in Batesville, recently named Adam Mitchell as its new CEO, succeeding outgoing CEO Phil Baldwin.
Baldwin's retirement, originally planned for midyear, has been shortened due to the successful completion of a planned transition earlier than expected, a news release said.
"When I announced my retirement in August of last year, my original plan was to stay on through June of this year," Baldwin said in the release. "These last few months have proven to me that Adam and the dynamic leadership team at Citizens Bank are completely prepared for the future. I've decided to take my retirement three months early and enjoy every minute with my family."
Mitchell has worked alongside Baldwin since 2018. With 23 years of experience in the banking industry, Mitchell came from Simmons Bank where he served as executive vice president and chief retail officer responsible for overseeing branch performance, staffing and service, and sales delivery for more than 190 locations across seven states. He was also responsible for the treasury management sales team throughout the Simmons Bank system.
"Adam has been an instrumental leader, especially during the pandemic, mobilizing the bank to quickly facilitate PPP loans and thoughtfully serve small businesses across Arkansas," Jeff Teague, board chairman of Citizens Bancshares, said in the release. "He will continue to uphold our mission-driven, community-centric core values."
"Mitchell has dedicated a significant portion of his career to giving back to the community," the release said. He is an advisory board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and, together with his wife, Kristie, was honored with its Living & Giving Award in 2017 and served as co-chair of the Central Arkansas Heart Ball in 2014. Mitchell also currently serves as a board member for USAble Life Corporation and Arkansas Health Group. He has also held various roles with Hendrix College, the Arkansas Bankers Association, Baptist Health Foundation, and Junior Achievement of Arkansas.
"Our mission has and always will be about putting people first in everything we do," Mitchell said. "I am humbled and excited to take on this new role and will take this job seriously, making sure that all of our stakeholders benefit from all the things that Citizens Bank can and will deliver."