The board of directors of First Financial Bank, subsidiary of First Financial Bankshares, made senior leadership changes for the Greater Houston region of the bank. Rodney Nabors has been elected as regional CEO; Bart Griffith has been promoted to Conroe market president; and Brian Bonner has been promoted to executive vice president, senior lender for construction and development.
“These leadership appointments demonstrate the bank’s ongoing commitment to enhancing our regional management team to capitalize on the significant opportunities present in this high-growth market in Texas,” David Bailey, president and CEO of First Financial Bank, said. “Rodney, Bart and Brian have significant regional and community banking experience and maintain deep relationships within Greater Houston. We are confident they will continue to strengthen our presence and support our clients throughout the region.”
Rodney E. Nabors is a senior banking executive with more than 37 years of experience leading commercial banking organizations through growth, transformation, and evolving market conditions. As CEO of the Greater Houston region, he will oversee regional strategy, performance and market expansion.
Most recently, Nabors served as president of Houston-based Agility Bank. During his career, he has also held senior executive and market leadership roles with both regional and community banks, managing complex loan portfolios, guiding regulatory relationships and mentoring future leaders. Deeply committed to community engagement, Nabors serves in leadership roles with Houston area nonprofit and civic organizations, including the board of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce and the West Houston Assistance Ministries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from LeTourneau University.
Bart Griffith has over 35 years of banking experience, which will serve him well as he oversees strategy, performance and management of the Montgomery and Walker County markets, a vibrant and growing division of the bank’s Greater Houston region. Griffith joined First Bank of Conroe in 2012, which would later become First Financial Bank, after holding several management positions at community banks in the Conroe area. He is a key member of the Greater Houston leadership team and will bring extensive market knowledge and strong client relationships to his new role.
Additionally, Griffith is active in the Conroe community and has served on The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership board, the IBAT Leadership Division board and the Texas Bankers Association Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University. He is also a graduate of the Texas Tech School of Banking and FFIN University.
Brian Bonner brings over 20 years of real estate lending experience into his new role of senior lender for construction and development. In this expanded leadership position, he will continue to support the expanding construction and real estate lending needs of the Greater Houston region.
Bonner began his banking career in 2006 as a credit analyst at Sterling Bank. He later joined Commercial State Bank, acquired by First Financial Bank, in 2011 as senior vice president of real estate lending. Since joining, Bonner has played an integral role in the growth of the region’s construction and development lending efforts. Bonner is a member of the Greater Houston Builders Association and currently serves on several committees at Declaration Church in Spring, as well as the Guided Coalition Committee for Broadway Elementary in Conroe ISD. He has a bachelor’s degree in bank and financial institutions and finance from Sam Houston State University, holds a Credit Risk Certification from the Risk Management Association, and is a graduate of FFIN University.
