J. Robert Scott - Senior Chairman
J. Robert Scott is the Senior Chairman of Northern Bancshares, Inc., Western Bancshares, Inc. and is also a director of American National Bank in Wichita Falls. Mr. Scott is presently active in oil and gas leasing, enjoys bridge, walking, traveling, and spending time with his five children.
Jim Richmond - Chairman
Jim Richmond is a Chairman of Western Bank and is a graduate of Howard Payne University. Jim has been in community banking in Texas since 1981. He and his wife Cindy live in Abilene and have 2 sons, Kris and Jordan. In addition to banking, Jim enjoys classic cars and various sports activities.
John Scott, Jr. - President
Mike Hensley - Vice Chairman
Mike Hensley, a life-long Texas resident, graduated from Abilene Christian University with a BBA in Banking and Finance in 1978. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1974. Since 1982, Mike has dedicated and worked in many different capacities for Western Bancshares, Inc., Western Bank's ownership group, after having started his banking career in 1978.
Mike has served on the Texas Bankers Association's Community Bankers Council, BankPac Committee, and Government Relations Council. Mike has also served on the TBA's Board of Directors, and as its chairman from 2002-2003. Presently, Mike serves on the Board of Directors, Community Bankers Council, and Government Relations Council for the American Bankers Association.
Tommy Churchwell
Tommy Churchwell is a lifelong resident of Big Spring and a 1981 graduate of Texas Tech University School of Business. Tommy is the owner and president of Churchwell Agency, Inc. which sells all types of insurance including financial products. He has served as president on numerous boards and committees during his business career. He and his wife Laurie have two sons, Logan and Tanner. He enjoys flying, scuba diving, and traveling.
Ray Howe
Mr. Howe spent two years serving in the Army after graduating from Eula High School. In November, 1946, he began his banking career in Abilene, Texas. He served that bank in several capacities, including President, and was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors when he retired in 1987.
He joined another Abilene bank as President, fours after his retirement, and stayed until the bank sold over nine years later. He was Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors at the time of his retirement.
He is active in his church, and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Leonard "Bud" Grossman
Bud Grossman is a partner with the firm Craig, Terrill, Hale & Grantham, L.L.P., specializing in personal injury law, primarily in the area of insurance defense and is board certified in personal injury trial law. He also focuses a large part of his practice on business and banking litigation, handling both complex and routine matters. Mr. Grossman has successfully tried nearly 100 cases to jury verdict in state and federal courts since being admitted to the bar in 1992. He completed his legal education at Texas Tech University and preparatory education at the University of North Texas, where he received his B.B.A. in 1988. He is also admitted to practice in the Northern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Federal Court, and is a member of Texas Association of Bank Counsel.
Mr. Grossman serves as a director of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and as a bank director for Western Bank. He has served as a board member for the West Texas Legal Services. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, State Bar College, American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, Lubbock County Bar Association, Fellow Texas Bar Foundation, and former member of the Lubbock County Young Lawyers Association, where he served as president. Mr. Grossman has received volunteer pro bono lawyer of the year, young lawyer of the year, and boss of the year awards.
Additional Memberships and Professional Recognitions include: Texas Association of Bank Counsel, Caprock Monterey Basketball (Board Member 2004-present), Western Little League Baseball (Board Member 2000-2007), Lubbock Youth Football League (Board Member 2005), Texas Young Lawyers Association, Lubbock County Legal Clinic Volunteer Attorney of the Year (1993), Outstanding Young Lawyer, Lubbock County (2000)
Roger Patel
Roger Patel is currently the President of SK Hotels, LLC. He has been in the hotel business for over 15 years, owning, operating, and developing major national hotels such as Comfort Suites and Holiday Inn Express.
Rajeev Gill
Rajeev Gill is the President & CEO of Gill Holdings, a West Texas based commercial real estate development firm. Rajeev received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and his M.S. in Computer Information Systems from Texas Tech University.
Phil Watts