Armor Bank hires Melissa Powell as director of marketing

Armor Bank has hired Melissa Powell as its new Director of Marketing and Human Resources. With a career spanning more than three decades in marketing, advertising, and graphic design, she has worked with many successful brands.

“Melissa is the perfect addition to the Armor Bank team,” said Chad May, Armor Bank CEO. “She will play a pivotal role in working with all of our markets and the communities we serve throughout the state.”

Most recently serving as the Marketing and Communications Director at a regional agricultural and rural lending business, her experience enabled her to work with agricultural organizations, cooperatives, and producers across Arkansas and the United States.

Powell previously ran her own marketing firm where she served a broad range of businesses and individuals within the healthcare, agriculture, retail, technology, and manufacturing industries.

After leaving her marketing firm, Powell led a team as Marketing Manager for Armor Seed that marketed the Armor Seed brand which would become one of the largest seed companies in the country. The branding model, along with the strong financial growth of Armor Seed, caught the eye of the national brand Land O’Lakes, which ultimately acquired Armor Seed in 2017.

A native of Lynn, Arkansas, Powell is a graduate of both Williams Baptist University and Arkansas State University.

In other bank business, Elise Hunter has been promoted to vice president of Deposit Operations. Hunter has held various roles within the organization over her tenure

“Elise has been a trusted and valued member of the Armor Bank team for over fifteen years,” said May said. “Her dedication to east Arkansas is a reflection of her exceptional work ethic and commitment to customer service.”

Angela Turpen was hired as the Forrest City branch manager. She will oversee day to day operations for the branch. Turpen has worked in the banking industry for almost two decades.