Women in Banking

“We celebrate the importance of female leadership at First Financial Bank. Not only are these women first-class professionals who lead and guide our company to new heights every day, they are active leaders within their communities, while also pursuing personal interests and keeping their families a top priority.”
– F. Scott Dueser, Chairman, President & CEO, First Financial Bankshares

Highlighting First Financial Bank's Women Leaders

First Financial Bank is proud of the female leadership at all levels of the organization and we salute them for the wonderful job that they do. Throughout the year, we are sharing the stories of these professionals, both past and present, who drive our customer-focused mission and help maintain First Financial Bank’s status as one of the nation’s leading community banks.


Photo of Nora Thompson

Marelyn Shedd
President, Abilene Region

Marelyn’s early childhood years were spent in Mexico City, where her parents were missionaries. During her time there, she encountered a world of diverse experiences, which she draws on today when relating to customers and leading the Abilene Region as the bank’s first female president

WATCH MARELYN'S VIDEO


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Vianei Lopez Braun
First Financial Bankshares Director, Chair of the Fort Worth Region Advisory Board

In this feature, Vianei discusses her longtime association with Abilene Region President Marelyn Shedd, getting her law practice off the ground, and the relationship she’s developed with the bank over the last 25 years. We are fortunate to have highly successful business leaders like Vianei representing First Financial Bank at the highest level.

WATCH VIANEI'S VIDEO


Photo of Shelley Dacus

Shelley Dacus
President and CEO, Kingwood Region

Shelley Dacus' personal and career experiences are guiding examples for future bankers and, honestly, anyone working toward achieving career goals. Long before her current role as Kingwood Region president, Shelley worked her way through college, graduating debt-free, and rose through the ranks of the banking industry.

WATCH SHELLEY'S VIDEO


Photo of Nora Thompson

Nora Thompson
President and CEO, Bryan/College Station Region

Plain and simple, Nora Price Thompson wants to win. Whether leading the newest region in the First Financial Bank footprint in Bryan-College Station or saddling up in the sport of cutting, she is focused on being the best. Many of our customers know Nora Thompson as their banker, but few have seen a glimpse into her life as a cowgirl. 

WATCH NORA'S VIDEO


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Candi Kanady
President, Eastland Division

Community and family are important to Candi Kanady. As president of First Financial Bank in Eastland, she has dedicated her work to the community in which she was born and raised, and where she and her husband are raising their daughter. Under her leadership, First Financial Bank's position as a community-focused financial organization is unmatched, and Candi and her team continue to build upon the bank's years of service to Eastland.

watch full video


Photo of Nora Thompson

April Anthony
First Financial Bankshares Director

Shortly following graduation from Abilene Christian University, April took a leap of faith and purchased a small, struggling home health company. That decision launched one of the most successful careers in the home health industry. Her contributions to the bank are a reflection of her leadership and business decisions that have shaped her career.

WATCH APRIL'S VIDEO


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Andrea Smiddy-Schlagel
Executive Vice President, Treasury Management Line of Business Manager

Andrea is the Executive Vice President of Treasury Management for First Financial Bank and has been with the organization for six years. She's a wonderful leader in the company and our customers are fortunate to have someone of her caliber spearheading their business needs.

WATCH ANDREA'S VIDEO



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June Wideman 
Retired, Administrative Assistant 

To know June Wideman is to love June Wideman. Following 36 years - and a previously failed attempt at retiring! - June stepped away in 2018 after a long, distinguished career at First Financial Bank. June reflects on her career and shares stories about snakes, dating and Roger Federer.

Women in Banking Moment in History: Geraldine "Gerry" Griffin

In 1963, Gerry's journey for employment took her from bank to bank facing rejection as a female teller. Gerry ended up on the front steps of First National Bank, where she was eventually promoted to the second ever female Vice President.

GERRI'S STORY

Women in Banking Moment in History: Violet Vletas

Violet Vletas was a driving force at First Financial Bank for 38 years and holds the distinction of being the first female vice president at the bank.

VIOLET'S STORY

Women in Banking Moment in History: Oddie Kivlehen

Oddie Kivlehen's unwavering commitment to her role of 37 years in bookkeeping was transcended only by her steadfast love and dedication for her children.

ODDIE'S STORY