Cargill named president and CEO for Arvest’s central Arkansas market

Jim Cargill has been named president and CEO for Arvest’s central Arkansas market, succeeding John Womack who announced he is retiring Sept. 30.

Prior to the promotion, Cargill was president and sales manager for the market, where he is responsible for retail and consumer banking operations. In his new role, Cargill will be responsible for all aspects of banking operations and strategic direction for Arvest in central Arkansas, which includes more than 450 employees and 32 banking locations in 12 communities.

“Jim has been part of our growing company for more than 30 years and has greatly contributed to the success of Arvest by ensuring we deliver customer-focused banking, provide customers with convenient and comprehensive financial solutions and stay on the cutting-edge of emerging new technologies in our industry,” said Womack. “I’m excited for Jim to take over leadership of the great team here in Central Arkansas and look forward to the continued success he will foster for our customers and our communities.”

Cargill is a native of Lewisville, Ark. and a fourth-generation banker who began his career at his family’s bank working with his grandfather who was president of First National Bank in Lewisville. His parents, grandparents and great-grandfather were affiliated with the Lewisville bank and his father was chairman and CEO there. Cargill has held a number of leadership roles during his career with Arvest. He has worked in multiple Arvest markets including Rogers, Bentonville and Little Rock, as well as Bartlesville and Shawnee, Okla.

He attended the University of Arkansas where he majored in finance and banking. He is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Graduate School of Commercial Lending and of The Professional Masters of Banking Program at The Graduate School of Banking, Louisiana State University.

Cargill serves on the board of the Arkansas Bankers Association, UALR Foundation, Our House and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. He also is a member of the Downtown Little Rock Rotary Club.

Womack joined Arvest in 1999 and served for 11 years as president of the bank’s Fort Smith market before being named CEO of the Central Arkansas territory. He has worked in banking in Oklahoma and Arkansas for 42 years.