Arvest Bank announces promotions, rehire

Michelle Fittro has joined Arvest Bank in Benton County as marketing manager, the bank announced Tuesday (Sept. 16).

She rejoins Arvest in Benton County after establishing and running the marketing department for Arvest Bank Greater Kansas City in 2010. Fittro previously worked as a marketing officer from 2007 to 2010 in the bank’s Benton County market.

Before joining Arvest, Fittro was the development and marketing director for Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation in Springfield, Mo., and worked as a branch operations manager for National City Bank in Peoria, Ill.

“We are so pleased that Michelle can bring her experience working in a new market back to Arvest Benton County,” said Lorrie Madden, sales manager for Arvest Bank in Benton County. “She knows and understands the needs of local customers and continues to be a valuable asset to our Arvest team. ” 

Fittro has a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Benton County and a graduate of the Missouri Leadership Institute, GO Lead in Springfield, Mo., and Emerging Leaders in Kansas City, Mo. 

Locally she has served on various boards, including the Bentonville Library Foundation, Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations Committee and the Benton County Sunshine School’s Development Committee.

Arvest Bank, Fayetteville recently promoted Jimmie Edie and Keith Bowles to assistant vice presidents. Both work as branch managers in their respective locations.

Edie is branch manager at the Arvest Bank inside the Walmart Supercenter on North Mall Avenue. He has been with Arvest Bank for the past 10 years in several positions, including financial services representative, assistant branch manager and branch manager.

Justin Luebker, regional instore administrator for Arvest Bank in Fayetteville described Edie as  “a strong team member who is always looking for the best way he can give the great customer service for which Arvest Bank is known.”

Edie earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University and has been active in the community by teaching “Dollars and Sense” to Fayetteville’s Asbell Elementary fifth-graders and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the United Way Stuff the Bus Campaign.

Bowles, also promoted to vice president, works as branch manager of the Arvest Bank on Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard in Fayetteville. He has been with Arvest Bank for five years and has worked in a variety of positions, including teller, financial services representative, assistant branch manager and branch manager.

“Keith is so diligent in providing great customer service up to the Arvest standard,” said Gaye Wilcox, sales manager for Arvest Bank in Fayetteville. “He gets to know his customers and uses that knowledge to help them get the most from their banking experience.”

Bowles earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of the Ozarks in 2011.