Simmons Bank of Pine Bluff has promoted Rodney Hawkins to executive vice president and chief audit executive.
Hawkins takes over for Johnny McCaleb, who will take on an advisory role before his planned retirement in December.
Hawkins has overseen administration and implementation of the bank’s risk-based internal audit function since he joined the company in 2021, Simmons said in a news release. He was previously vice president of internal audit at Windstream Communications, where he was responsible for all aspects of the compliance, internal audit, security and risk management function.
Earlier in Hawkins’ career, he held the position of vice president of internal audit at Time Warner Inc., serving as the chief audit executive for its Turner Broadcasting, Time Warner Cable, HBO and AOL subsidiaries.
“Johnny and Rodney have done a remarkable job working together over the past nine months to ensure a smooth changeover as part of this planned transition,” George Makris Jr., chairman and CEO of Simmons Bank, said in the release. “With three decades of Fortune 500, public-company experience and a highly regarded track record, Rodney is well-positioned to lead our audit team and build upon the success that we have gained under Johnny’s leadership.”
Hawkins is a certified public accountant who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from the University of Georgia. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, serves on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society in Arkansas and is an external advisory board member for the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College’s Business Integrity Leadership Initiative.
McCaleb received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Arkansas Business CFO of the Year Awards. He joined Simmons Bank in 2016 after a long career in public accounting.
“Johnny has distinguished himself as an outstanding leader during his 45-year storied career, always displaying a tireless work ethic and a commitment to maintaining the highest principles and integrity beyond reproach,” Makris said. “We’re very pleased that Johnny will continue to lend his expertise in an advisory capacity until his retirement.”
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