On April 1, 2012, Arvest in Springdale, Ark. will welcome a new president and CEO, Lisa Ray.  Ray is currently president and CEO of Arvest in Siloam Springs, Ark. and has been a part of the Arvest family since 1989. Please see the following release for additional details.

SPRINGDALE, Ark.,—Arvest Bank has announced that Lisa Ray has accepted an offer and will become the president and chief executive officer of Arvest Bank in Springdale on April 1, 2012, the role that Dennis Smiley is surrendering to become president and chief executive officer of Arvest Bank in Benton County. Ray is currently the president and chief executive officer of Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs.

Both Ray and Smiley will continue their current positions and work together for a smooth transition in Springdale and Siloam Springs on April 1. Smiley’s acceptance of the Benton County position was announced in January.

“Lisa has a long record of success and has been effective in her various roles during her tenure at Arvest.  Not only is she an outstanding leader for Arvest but she has also consistently demonstrated a commitment to her community,” said Scott Grigsby, executive vice president and regional manager for Arvest Bank Group.

Ray joined Arvest Bank of Bentonville in 1989 as a management trainee and worked there as an investment advisor, deposit counselor supervisor and a deposit manager. In 1996 she became sales manager of Arvest’s Springdale Bank and Trust. After three years she returned to Arvest Bank of Bentonville in 1999 to serve as sales manager. She was named president and chief executive officer of Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs in 2005.

Ray enjoys community service, including serving on boards of two Northwest Arkansas area chambers of commerce, Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital, and Endeavor Foundation.  She serves on the Circle of Life Hospice Leadership Council, the Siloam Springs High School scholarship committee and other committees that promote the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas.

Ray and her husband, David, look forward to returning to the Springdale area. Daughter Lauren is a college student and son Skyler is a high school senior who will graduate in May.