Robert Birch Jr. *

The banking career of Robert Birch Jr., president and chief executive officer of Twin City Bank in North Little Rock, began with a job lead from an uncle.

Birch had been laid off from his job at the Montgomery Ward warehouse in Little Rock when he learned of the opening for a part-time marketing person.

His prospective employer was the original Twin City Bank, owned by the Frank Lyon family.

“I started as a 19-year-old in February 1970,” said Birch, who ended up majoring in marketing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “I didn’t have a clue why I was there.”

During the next 25 years, Birch went on to hold a variety of positions with the TCB organization, including research director, marketing services officer, business development officer, senior officer for marketing management, vice president of retail banking, senior vice president of lending and executive vice president.

“I was given the opportunity to do many things,” the 53-year-old executive said. “I liked what I was doing, the people I was doing it with and one thing led to another.”

Birch stayed aboard after the bank was purchased in 1996 and renamed Mercantile Bank of Arkansas. He left as president in April 2000 to help form a new bank under the familiar Twin City name, which has become one of the fastest growing in the state.

“It sure has been fun, and the ride’s not over,” Birch said. “It’s starting all over again.”

A sampling of honors and awards include Edwin Hanlon Memorial Arts and Humanities Award for Outstanding Business Leader, 2002; Alumnus of the Year for UALR College of Business, 1999; and the UALR President’s Award, 1995.

Among his volunteer activity is the CARTI board, 1997-2003; past chairman of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and Philander Smith College Advisory Board; Pulaski Technical College Foundation Board; and Arkansas Museum of Discovery board and executive committee.

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