Forty Under 40: Spencer Fox

Since starting work as a teller 13 years ago while in college, Spencer Fox has often been recognized as a top performer in the banking industry.

Fox aimed to be a stockbroker, but approaching graduation from the University of Arkansas, he found the climate unappealing, a feeling tied to the Enron and WorldCom collapses.

He graduated with a finance degree and instead worked 10 years for First National Bank. During that time, he earned a graduate degree from the Barrett School of Banking.

Fox joined Simmons Bank in 2012 (his hometown bank, as he is a native of Pine Bluff), and is considered an outstanding leader and tremendous community ambassador.

Fox said he was raised by hard-working parents; the paternal side of his family owned a sawmill business.

“My dad and grandfather instilled in me the work ethic that has carried me through,” he said. Banking executive (now retired) Tom Spillyards was a strong mentor, and Fox’s stepfather was a commercial lender in Pine Bluff.

“I grew up around a lot of banking mentors, particularly in church,” Fox said.

He is strongly involved with the Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders, which he said is instrumental in engaging and connecting top talent in the region. He served as the group’s chairman and helped the organization develop a new mission statement and vision.

He also serves on the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors.