The C Suite: Don L. Gibson

Achievements: Formerly Arkansas president for Bank of America; board member for Winthrop Rockefeller Research Center; executive committee chairman for University of Arkansas Foundation; board member of Ryan Gibson Foundation for Leukemia Research; former board member of Community Care Foundation in Springdale; Springdale Civic Service Person of the Year in 1995.

Hometown: Springdale

What got you pointed toward your current career? I talked with my personal banker, who was also president of the local bank, about my desire to go into business for myself and asked him to help me find a local business I might be able to buy. He called six months later and offered me a job. I have been a banker ever since.

What do you consider the greatest achievement of your professional career? In 2004, after 23 years with Bank of America, I had the opportunity to lead the formation of a new community bank to serve businesses and families in Northwest Arkansas. Today, Legacy National Bank is approaching $400 million in assets and employs over 75 people.

What aspects of your work do you find the most rewarding? Working with customers to solve financial challenges and help improve their financial position. As I get older, the opportunity to work with and mentor young bankers is very rewarding and keeps me young.

What’s something interesting about you that people would be surprised to learn? Competed in calf roping events at rodeos over a four-state area until my early 20s.