Hudson to retire as CEO of Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bank of Fayetteville

Thomas “Gary” Hudson will retire as CEO of Farmers and Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville on Dec.  31, 2020, after leading the bank for the past 11 years, the bank announced Wednesday (Dec. 23).

Executive Vice-President Brad Chambless has been named incoming President and CEO of Farmers and Merchants Bank. He assumes those duties Jan.  1, 2021.

Under Hudson’s leadership, Farmers and Merchants Bank has grown 300% in total assets, adding 20 branches across the state with eight operating as The Bank of Fayetteville.

A native of DeWitt, Hudson earned his undergraduate degree at Arkansas State University and his juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. He is also a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Texas.

Hudson began his 40-year banking career in December of 1980 at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Stuttgart as Vice-President of the Trust Division. In 1988, he returned to DeWitt as President and CEO of DeWitt Bank and Trust.

In 2002, Farmers and Merchants Bank made the decision to branch into DeWitt and called on Hudson to launch the new endeavor, as well as serve as Executive Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors.

Hudson was named President and CEO of Farmers and Merchants Bank in 2010 following the retirement of Don Pattillo.

“I’ve certainly seen a lot of changes over the last four decades in the financial industry,“ said Hudson. “But the one constant has been the fine people and good friends I’ve made along the journey.”

In addition to his service at Farmers and Merchants Bank, Hudson has served on several professional boards including the Arkansas Bankers Association. He was also appointed by former Gov. Mike Beebe to the Arkansas State Bank Board and reappointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.