The Board of Directors, for Community First Banking Company, has announced that after 27 years, Clyde Stewart, Jr has retired as an active Board Director and been named Director Emeritus. Stewart began his service as a Bank Director in 1980 with First National Bank. In the summer of 1997, he and several influential business people saw the need for a locally owned community bank that truly cared about their employees, customers, and communities. He was instrumental in the organization of Community First. He served as Chairman of the Board from the bank’s inception until 2023. His leadership and guidance have been invaluable to the board and the bank.
Robbie Hawkins has been named as a Director to the Board. He has previously served as Advisory Director since 2023. He is a native of West Plains and graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a partner in the CPA firm Hawkins, Yarber & Chambers and has been practicing public accounting for over 29 years. Hawkins currently serves on the board of Ozarks Christian Academy and the Missouri Baptist Foundation. He is a member of First Baptist Church in West Plains and the noon Rotary Club. He and his wife Stephanie reside in West Plains and have two daughters Andria and Rachel.
Community First has consistently been rated with 5-stars by Bauer Financial, a nationally renowned financial rating agency since 2010.
