Simmons Bank names new chief retail officer

Pine Bluff-based Simmons Bank has named Franklin Shirrell of Southlake, Texas, chief retail officer. Shirrell’s transition to Simmons follows 22 years at Regions Financial Corp. (Regions), where he most recently was executive vice president and head of consumer and business banking units in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and Houston, Texas markets.

Shirrell will oversee retail banking operations, including recruitment, sales and customer experience across Simmons’ approximately 200 branch locations and seven-state footprint.

At Regions, Shirrell was one of five executives selected to lead major organizational changes and strategic restructuring for 1,500 stores, with direct project responsibility for 280 stores in multiple states.

Following his graduation from the University of Arkansas, Shirrell began his banking career in 1984 at Worthen Bank.

“It’s a great feeling to not only be back in my home state, but to also now be joining an Arkansas-based bank,” said Shirrell. “Simmons continues to achieve unprecedented milestones, and I look forward to being part of its next chapter.”

A graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock, Shirrell has served as a board member for the Arkansas Arts Center and Little Rock’s Downtown Partnership, and chaired finance committees for Easter Seals Arkansas and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Shirrell also served as chairman of the board for Easter Seals Arkansas. He is past chairman of the United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas telethon and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a past board member of the American Heart Association’s Arkansas chapter.