Simmons Bank hires Rodney Hawkins for audit role

Simmons Bank tapped Rodney Hawkins as executive vice president and audit executive, the bank announced Wednesday (March 31).

Hawkins’ responsibilities include playing a lead role in the oversight, administration and implementation for Simmons Bank’s risk-based Internal Audit function. His role will also include providing leadership and guidance to the Simmons Bank Internal Audit Department in their review, monitoring and evaluation of the bank’s financial, operational, and compliance internal controls.

Prior to joining Simmons Bank, Hawkins served as chief compliance officer and vice president of Internal Audit at Windstream Communications and was responsible for all aspects of compliance and Internal Audit functions, including establishing strategy, creating and overseeing policies, procedures and audit methodology, and designing the risk management process.

He previously served as vice president of Internal Audit at Time Warner Inc., overseeing audit strategy, quality assurance, risk assessment, audit plan creation and reporting.

“Rodney brings three decades of Fortune 500, public-company experience and a highly regarded track record to Simmons Bank, along with a tremendous work-ethic,” said George Makris, Jr. chairman and CEO of Simmons Bank.

“We are delighted to have Rodney join our team to transition into this significant role,” added Johnny McCaleb, Simmons’ executive vice president and chief audit executive.

A certified public accountant, Hawkins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from the University of Georgia. He and his family reside in Little Rock. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and serves on the Board of Director’s for the American Cancer Society (Arkansas).