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J. Thomas May, chairman and chief executive officer of Simmons First National Corp. and Simmons First National Bank, shared with the late W.E. Ayres a vision of the future and an optimism about Pine Bluff.
May was among the most-admired chief executives in Arkansas even before he personified grace under pressure by continuing to lead the company, founded here 109 years ago, after being diagnosed in late 2005 with a neurological disease similar to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Simmons First National Corp., the parent company of Simmons First National Bank of Pine Bluff and seven other bank charters in Arkansas, has grown and prospered under May’s leadership. When May was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2010, he was praised for his “courage, dignity and integrity.” A woman who knows him described May as a “genuine, dedicated, committed and thankful. He just makes you feel good because you know he loves this community and is so caring and thoughtful.”
The late Louis L. Ramsay Jr. and Ayres recruited May to Pine Bluff in 1987. May praised the two Simmons executives and Dr. Harry Ryburn, longtime bank director, for serving as his mentors.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
He has demonstrated repeatedly the courage to step forward and make a difference in his adopted hometown. The concept of the Saracen Landing was introduced in March 2003 when Simmons First National presented the City of Pine Bluff a $100,000 gift in recognition of the bank’s 100th anniversary, along with a recommendation that the funds be used as seed money to construct a new home for the Farmers Market.
May’s forward vision is one reason we were not surprised on Tuesday when it was announced that he is expected to retire Dec. 31, 2013, and his successor will be George Makris, a longtime director on the board of Simmons First and president of MK Distributors. Before taking over for May, Makris will serve in a transition capacity as CEO-elect, effective Jan. 1, and will continue to serve on the corporation board.
Other changes in the bank’s leadership structure were announced, but the business community was reassured that a community-friendly hand will be on the helm after May retires.
Makris, a lifelong Pine Bluff resident and a third generation businessman, has been a leader in many local organizations. He currently serves as chairman of the Economic Development Corp. of Jefferson County and vice chairman of the Jefferson Hospital Association Board of Directors.
He is has been active in national business organizations and serves on the Board of Visitors of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ College of Medicine. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Rhodes College at Memphis and a master of business administration degree from the University of Arkansas.
May described Makris as “an exceptional leader – in his business, which does so much to support our community, in his service to JRMC and The Alliance, and his efforts in trying to create new jobs as chairman of the Economic Development Corp.
“I’m so pleased that he’ll be succeeding me, because I know he’ll help take Simmons First National Corp. to another level,” May continued. “I couldn’t be prouder. George is uniquely qualified for this post. Obviously, he knows our company very well and understands our commitment. …
“George Makris is known for his vision, strategic planning and ability to mold, motivate and lead a team. He is performance driven and understands banking better than many bankers.”
It is high praise when a man of May’s caliber calls Makris a visionary. Congratulations to both.