Arkansas Business

Darrin Williams will succeed Walter Smiley as CEO of Southern Bancorp Inc., which is one of America’s largest community development banks. “Darrin’s financial skills, legal experience in securities and financial regulation and history of advocating for the rights of the disadvantaged in both his law practice and his political career make him the perfect choice to lead Southern Bancorp in its mission to build communities and change lives,” said Smiley, who will continue as chairman of the board.

Williams is a principal in the Little Rock law firm of Carney Williams Bates Pulliam & Bowman. A Democrat, he represents District 36 in Little Rock in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He was elected Speaker-designate of the House for the 89th General Assembly in 2012 but lost the position when Republicans gained control of the legislature in 2013.

Darrin Williams graduated from Little Rock Central High School, Hendrix College at Conway, Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville, Tenn., and Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.