Class Notes  (Send us your update)

Class 47

Christian J. Henkel

Guaranty Bank, Dallas, TX

"I am still at Guaranty Bank spending most of my days researching, developing, and managing the credit risk measurement processes and risk rating systems. Away from the bank I spend time with my two kids, fitness, and learning."

Class 45

Brenda Howard

National Bank of Daingerfield, Daingerfield, TX

"I'm still at the national bank of Daingerfield. I have been promoted to Senior Vice President since I began my SWGSB experience."

Bruce W. McCarley

The First National Bank - Altus, Tipton, OK

"Since SWGSB I have been promoted to a larger branch full time as the branch manager. I am the chief lending and operations officer for both banks in our county. I have been selected to be on our banks ALCO committee.  Thanks to all of the staff at SWGSB that have helped me to further develop as a community banker and to become a greater asset to our bank." 

Class 44

Jesse C. Baza

Lone Star Capital Bank, N.A., San Antonio, TX

"Just wanted to let everyone know that after four wonderful girls in the Baza household, Carmelita and I are expecting our first BOY!  Due in November!  Life is good!" 

Robert G. Perez

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Sioux Falls, SD

"The Army promoted me Feb 17th and my assignment is at the Office of the Secretary of Defense.  I will complete 15 days in April and another 15 in May.  The military eats up all of my time, especially, with the Iraq war going on." 

Rebecca Lynne McAllister

Citibank Texas, N.A., Garland, TX

"Our bank was just acquired for the second time in two years. We are now Citibank Texas, N.A. It is very exciting to now be a part of the largest financial institution in the world! I have been promoted to an Area Operations Manager for the Northeast Dallas area which includes 11 branches." 

J. Corky Randolph

Alliance Bank, Rockwall, TX

"Effective April 18, 2005 I became the Banking Center President for Alliance Bank's soon to be completed Rockwall location. Alliance Bank is a $450 million bank with several different locations covering Rockwall east to Sulphur Springs.  This is an extremely positive move for me, my family and the Rockwall/Heath area." 

Class 43 

Paul Boris

FDIC, Memphis, TN

"My wife had triplets 4-28-04, so I had to get off the road. I was promoted to a Case Manager position in the Memphis Area Office 12-1-04. Now I review examination reports and administer enforcement actions." 

Gay Smith

Austin Bank, Whitehouse, TX

"I am now President of the Austin Bank branch in my hometown of Whitehouse, Texas (near Tyler). It is a family-owned bank that truly believes in community involvement." 

Class 42 

Kenneth R. Kramer

DNB First (formerly Downingtown Nat'l), Downingtown, PA

"Running the bank's leasing company. Two kids out of college, 2 to go. Still paying for all 4." 

Paige Carroll Scott

Boone County National Bank, Columbia, MO

"It sounds like everything is going well at SWGSB.  I think I have received a couple of promotions since graduating in 2001.  The most recent is to Vice President, Retail Sales and Service.  Of course I am still with Boone County National Bank.  I wish I lived closer because I would love to attend alumni activities.  I'll consider it for next year and will pass the SWGSB word onto my colleagues.  Have a terrific year!" 

Class 41 

Nalinie McDavid

ABI Financial Group, St. Johns, Antigua

"I live in Antigua in the Caribbean. Several persons from my institution are SWGSB alumni and I only keep up with them. So I am very glad to know about this website.  Since graduating, so much has happened! SWGSB has opened up my mind to such an extent that I can now adapt and function in so many different capacities. I am undertaking a Masters Degree due to graduate in May 2006. Currently, I am the Special Projects Manager with the ABI Financial Group which comprises a domestic bank, an offshore bank, an insurance company, a brokerage company, a development company and two hotel properties." 

Class 40

Ben H. Henke

FDIC, Kansas City, MO

"In 2004, I was promoted to Fair Lending Examination Specialist and moved from Columbia, Missouri, to the FDIC Regional Office in Kansas City, Missouri. I am responsible for providing oversight for all FDIC fair lending examinations occurring in the 7-state Kansas City Region, as well as various special projects."

Class 39

Jerry D. Woolverton

Texas Bank & Trust, Tyler, TX

"Still banking, I was fortunate to have joined the Rogers Pope family-owned banks 3 years ago; my principal charge is to expand our unique brand of banking in the Tyler, Texas market. To date we have been very successful at that."

Class 36

Karlon Cox

Alamo National Bank, Alamogordo, NM

"I left Las Cruces in 1999 to move to Abilene, TX and then on to Ft. Worth. Almost 3 years ago, I moved back to New Mexico to become President of Alamo National which is a branch of The First National Bank of Artesia (New Mexico).

I've spent a lot of time getting involved in the community here and serve on several boards including being President of the Otero County Economic Development Council.

Alamogordo is about 45 minutes from Ruidoso so we bought an RV and parked it there and spend most weekends up there.

Since we graduated in 1995 , I have served as President of the Alumni Association and have been a class Mom since 2000."

Rodney B. Keeton

American State Bank, Brownfield, TX

I am the Branch President with American State Bank in Brownfield, Texas. I have been a banker in Brownfield since 1988 and generally specialize in agricultural lending. I have been with ASB since late 2001, and was promoted to Sr. Vice President in 2002. In addition to the Branch President duties, I am also heading up ASB's agricultural lending division.

Cyd West

First Community Mortgage, Harker Heights, TX

"After 25 years with the same bank, I made the move to full time mortgage lending in 2003. I now serve as Senior Vice President and Branch Manager of First Community Mortgage in Harker Heights, TX, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Community Bancshares. My SWGSB roommate, Sue Winkley, remains one of my dearest friends and I meet her a couple of time each year for a little vacation and catching up time."

Class 35 

Robert K. Bailey

Peoples Community Bank, King George, VA

"I left Union Bank and Trust as SVP Retail Banking in 2000 and joined Peoples Community as Chief Operating Officer. We are a 5 branch, $100MM bank. I haven't been back to Dallas since 2000 and miss the great times we had."

Nancy B. Chance
The State Bank of Texas, Stafford, TX

"Nancy, y'all know me as "Nicki". Still work for the same bank, just changed positions. Have been Branch Pres. (since '99) at our first branch, in Stafford, TX. We have an employee, Michael McEwen, Vice President, currently attending SWGSB. He will be heading back to Dallas next month to begin his 2nd year.  Visit with LaVonda Jones frequently and recently saw Jay Chernosky at an Astro's game."

Paul Drake

Central Bank, Lexington, KY

"I joined Central Bank ($1.3 billion in assets) in 2002. I am now serving as a commercial mortgage lender in Kentucky."

Jay Chernosky

Wachovia Capital Markets, Houston, TX

"Like Regena, I have not kept up. I am in the same energy corporate finance office in Houston, with the same phone number and a new name as of 2001. First Union acquired Wachovia and took the Wachovia name. Hope everyone is doing well!! Many fun memories from the summers of 1992-94."

Ragena Moore

First State Bank, Russellville, AR

"My bank sold and sold and sold until it became Bank of America. I am now back in my home town of Russellville, AR at a community bank of about $250 million- First State Bank. I sort of lost touch with my classmates, but think of all of them often and would love to see everyone again. We had a wonderful, diverse class." 

Class 34 

John M. Gosser 

Shay Financial Services, Inc., Irving, TX

During my last year at SWGSB, our investment division transferred out of the FHLB of Dallas and into Shay. I have been at Shay since 1993 and wouldn't work anywhere else. I love it! I was made partner in 1998. With my job, I travel to banks in the southwest. I get to see some classmates of 34 and others from other years.

Dan P. Johnson 

Johnson School Bus Service, Inc., West Bend, WI

"We provide bus transportation for students to and from school. We currently serve 10 school districts (415 vehicles) in SE Wisconsin." 

Judy G Smith-Sellers

Regions Financial Corp., Little Rock, AR

"Same bank for 34 years, it has just changed names twice. Currently working for Regions Financial Corporation as Regional Operations Coordinator for Arkansas.  After being merged and acquired, I decided to join in on the action. I did Training and Branch Support for the last 8 years including many acquisitions and am now Regional Operations for Arkansas." 

Mark Alan Stroud

First National Bank in Cameron, Cameron, TX

"I have been married now for 8 Years. I have twins. They are 20 Months old. Their names are Tate and Alexis, but we call her Lexy." 

Class 33 

Joseph M Rose

Guaranty Bond Bank, Bogata

"President of Guaranty Bond Bank - Bogata since 1995. Still with same company for nearly 21 years now, and we have 3 members of Class 33 in our company." 

Class 32 

Michael Kurilecz Jr.

A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., Dallas, TX

"Recently joined A.G. Edwards after selling a business of which I was majority owner and CEO for 6 years. My new position is focused on financial planning for high net worth individuals, cash investments and retirement plans for corporations (for-profit and not-for-profit) and bond portfolios for financial institutions." 

Class 31

Ron L. Canfield

United Bank, NA, Laurel, MT

"I have been kind of a rolling stone enjoying being of help to organizations in change.  I have been a President of two banks and enjoyed meeting helping and experiencing changes in banking.  I often think of those good people I met while at graduate school wondering what the are doing.  Looking forward to the future as Banking remains exciting to me.  I am in Laurel, Montana helping to start a new bank and it is exciting."

Class 30

Tom Martin

ConfiCasa Playa, Mexico

"I am the General Manager of ConfiCasa Playa, a mortage lender in Mexico.  ConfiCasa Playa is a division of ConfiCasa International, Mexico's premier mortgage lender.  If you are in the neighborhood, be sure and stop by."

Class 29 

Theodore M. Cesarano

Real Estate Business Broker, Pinetop, AZ

"I am currently running my own Real Estate Business Broker business in Arizona.  I specialize in helping individuals invest in real estate using their IRA funds.  I have two offices in Arizona.  One is located in Gilbert, AZ. (480-229-6743) the other is located in the White Mountains of Arizona in Pinetop, AZ. (928-369-3811).  I retired from Valley National Bank/Bank One, AZ in 2002.  If any SWGSB grad's are interested in learning more about IRA investing please call me at 480-229-6743." 

Gary W. Conway

The Roscoe State Bank, Roscoe, TX

"Work at the main office of The Roscoe State Bank in Roscoe, TX. We are in the process of building a new branch office in Bastrop, TX and needless to say I am staying very busy. I over see the operations and accounting for the Bank's three locations. Fun times when you are growing and bring new ideas into a new market." 

Irwin Wong

Cathay Bank, Los Angeles, CA

"Good to hear from you. In fact, it's good to hear about SWGSB. I have many fond memories of my time there.  There's nothing new about me.  Just work, work, work. I guess I'm just boring and have not done much to improve my bank (lucky for me that I work for a great, intelligent, and insightful CEO; a great Board; and a "top notch" executive management team - oh how fortunate for me).....Take care." 

Class 28

Nicki Tyler

Stewart Title Austin, Inc., Austin, TX

"After 18 years in banking, I was offered the President of Stewart Title in Austin (my customer at the time). I am now CEO, and have been with the company for 14 years. I also have a region and 35 counties report to me."

Class 27

Rudolph F. Zepeda Jr.

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Miami Br., Miami, FL

"Live in Miami and travel worldwide for the Federal Reserve System performing bank examinations on U.S. banks with foreign offices. Provide technical assistance on banking supervision to Central Banks primarily in Latin America, however, I have given seminars in Asia, Russia, Australia, and Africa.  I carry my blue Swigsbie notebook where ever I travel and I am constantly asked about it." 

Class 26

Sam W. Baker

First Bank of Conroe, Conroe, TX

"I left Nationsbank in l995 and joined First Bank of Conroe as SVP. Later that year owners of First Bank bought First State Bank, Jasper, TX and I went there as President and later Chairman and President. In 2000 the CEO of First Bank of Conroe left and I was offered the job. We have been here since then.  SWGSB was a great school and I will always have fond memories. I look back on the education I received and am thankful for the experience. It has been very important to my career. I have since enrolled one of our Senior V.P.s, Lee Warren, in SWGSB and he will be a senior this year. His comments mirror mine in that he has really enjoyed the school and it has greatly enhanced his education." 

Class 24 

G William Beale

Union Bank & Trust, Bowling Green, VA

"President and CEO of a $1.7 billion multi bank holding company of 4 banks, a mortgage company and a brokerage firm. I am also serving on the boards of the State Fair of Virginia and MWH Medicorp and The Virginia Banker's Association where I am the chair-elect." 

Class 23 

Merrill J. Reynolds Jr.

Bankers Edge LP, New Braunfels, TX

"Living in the greatest city in Texas...New Braunfels and traveling all over the US consulting with banking organizations." 

Class 20 

Tom Britton

Britton & Britton, Houston, TX

"Left banking in '94 to become a Keynote Speaker and Author on CHANGE after successfully turning around a troubled Houston bank. I credit SWGSB with giving me the tools to CHANGE things and turn the bank around. Today I travel the country speaking on the MAGIC OF CHANGE." 

Class 16 

Carter E. Swart

Crescent City, CA

"I'm retired after having served 33 years with Bank of America. Presently I write mystery novels, namely the Lou Corso mystery series for Hilliard & Harris Publishers. Working on book number 9 as we speak.  I live in Crescent City, CA with wife of 44 years, Bonnie.  I enjoyed my 3 years at Swigsbie (1973-75). Our class song was "We're the Real Thing." My roommate was Dee Tate from Wichita Falls, TX. We learned a lot about unit banking and we had a ball at Mariano's and ate great steaks at Cattlemen's.  I still remember every word of the Swigbie alma mater.  Good memories." 

Class 1 

Tom Hardin

Retired, Alexandria, LA

"Left Hillcrest State Bank, Northwest National and Park Cities Bank and Trust Co. in Dallas, Texas, for Business Manager of the Dallas Cowboys Football Club. In 1971 became Publisher of the Alexandria Daily Town Talk (family owned newspaper). Retired in 1996." 

George J. Watts, III

George J. Watts Associates, Lewisville, TX

"I retired in 1957, as a Senior Vice President, from the First Republic Bank Corporation to form a consulting practice, dba George J. Watts Associates, in the field of litigation support. I am currently active in this business. I have worked as a consultant to law firms representing the FDIC and RTC during the late 1980's into the 1990's and, subsequently, on many other litigated banking issues.

I have been a member of the Adjunct Faculty at San Antonio College, San Antonio, Texas, where I taught classes titled "Law and Banking". I designed and implemented an online version of that course which I also taught.

My wife, Alice, and I have been married 50 years.
We have three children. A son, George J. Watts, IV, and two daughters Betsy Winkle and Mary Steger. We have six grandchildren. George J. Watts, V ("Chip"), a student at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Lindsey Watts, a Freshman at Baylor University, Waco, Texas; Elizabeth Steger, a Freshman at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri; Ben Steger, a Sophomore, at Georgetown High School, Georgetown, Texas; Kelly Winkle and her sister Alison("Allie") are, respectively, in the Sophomore and Freshman Classes at Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas.

For many years my wife Alice and I have enjoyed travel. We have visited many interesting places in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the U.K., and Europe.

My other interest is in Private Aviation. Much of our U.S. and Canadian travel has been by private airplane.  I have been a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for 42 years and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Ercoupe Owners Club.  I restored a 1965 Alon model A-2 Aircoupe, which was a 13 month project.  I won an award with it, "Best In Show", at the Club's annual National Convention in 2002.  l also enjoy fishing, reading(non-fiction mostly), and church work."

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