ABILENE, Texas, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boards of Directors of First Financial Bankshares, Inc. ("First Financial") (NASDAQ: FFIN), and First Financial Bank (the "Bank" and together with First Financial, the "Company", "we", "us", or "our") has announced the promotion of David Bailey to CEO of both entities. The position was previously held by F. Scott Dueser, who will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Boards. Continue Reading Mr. David Bailey "The First Financial b ...

Core Insights - CF Bankshares Inc. has appointed John Wilgus as Senior Vice President to enhance its commercial and commercial real estate banking capabilities [1][5] - John Wilgus brings over 32 years of experience in commercial banking, particularly in commercial real estate lending and relationship management [2] - The company aims to strengthen its boutique banking model and personalized service through Wilgus's extensive experience and market knowledge [5][6] Company Overview - CF Bankshares Inc. is the parent company of CFBank, which operates as a boutique commercial bank in five major metro markets: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, and Indianapolis [6] - Since its recapitalization in 2012, CFBank has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% [6] - CFBank focuses on serving closely held businesses and entrepreneurs with a range of financial services, including commercial loans, real estate loans, and treasury management [7] Leadership and Strategy - Brad Ringwald, President of CFBank, expressed excitement about Wilgus's addition, highlighting the alignment with the bank's commitment to personalized service [5] - Tim O'Dell, President and CEO of CF Bankshares, noted that Wilgus's experience reinforces the company's strategy of attracting seasoned bankers who prioritize relationships and local decision-making [5]

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bank has announced several key promotions as part of its ongoing management succession plan, aimed at strengthening leadership and positioning the organization for future growth [1][4]. Promotions and Leadership Changes - James Alexander has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking, previously held by David Bailey [2]. - Chris Evatt has been promoted to Senior Banking Executive, providing leadership for the Bank's Southern regions [2]. - Rick Vaughan has been promoted to Chairman and CEO of the West Texas Region, a role previously held by Chris Evatt [2]. - Luke Uherik has been promoted to Market President of San Angelo and Senior Relationship Manager for the West Texas Region [3]. Background of Promoted Individuals - James Alexander has over 20 years of experience in commercial banking, having held various roles including President of the Greater Houston Region [5]. - Chris Evatt has been with First Financial since 2001, progressing through various positions and has a deep understanding of the Bank's culture [7]. - Rick Vaughan brings over 30 years of banking and wealth management experience, previously serving as Regional Banking President for Wells Fargo [9]. - Luke Uherik has over 17 years with First Financial, having advanced from Junior Commercial Relationship Manager to Executive Vice President [11]. Company Overview - First Financial Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Financial Bankshares, Inc., headquartered in Abilene, Texas, operating multiple banking regions with 79 locations across Texas [13].

Core Insights - The article discusses the challenges faced by recent college graduates in securing employment, particularly in light of rising unemployment rates and the impact of artificial intelligence on entry-level jobs. It emphasizes the importance of cooperative education programs and internships in enhancing job prospects for students [1][3][4]. Employment Landscape - The unemployment rate for recent college graduates aged 22 to 27 is 4.8%, higher than the overall worker unemployment rate of 4% and significantly higher than the 7.4% for young workers without degrees [3]. - A private survey indicates that only 30% of 2025 college graduates had secured full-time jobs related to their degrees by summer, a decrease from 41% for the 2024 graduates [3]. - The National Association of Colleges & Employers found that 2025 graduates received an average of 0.78 job offers each, down from 1.13 for the class of 2023 [3]. Shift in Student Priorities - Current high school seniors are increasingly focused on the return on investment of their college education, prioritizing post-graduation employment opportunities over traditional college experiences [5]. - The article highlights a new list of 15 colleges that excel in preparing students for the workforce, emphasizing their commitment to internships and cooperative education [6]. Cooperative Education Programs - Only about 25 of the top 500 colleges offer co-op programs that integrate full-time work experience into their curriculum, with only two schools requiring all students to complete a co-op to graduate [7]. - Schools with strong co-op programs report higher rates of employment for graduates, with a study showing that students who completed internships were nearly 50% less likely to be underemployed five years after graduation [8]. Internship Competition - The average number of applications per internship posting has more than doubled in the past year, indicating increased competition for available positions [9]. - Despite the rising competition, 95% of jobs posted on Handshake are paid opportunities, and many schools provide financial support for students undertaking unpaid internships [9]. Salary Disparities - Graduates from technology and business-focused schools tend to earn significantly higher salaries compared to those from liberal arts colleges, with median salaries for graduates from top institutions reaching as high as $100,500 three years after graduation [10]. Career Preparation Strategies - The 15 colleges highlighted employ various strategies to enhance career readiness, including mandatory internships, extensive career training, and partnerships with employers [11]. - For instance, Arizona State University offers virtual classes on personal branding and networking, while Babson College emphasizes experiential learning through applied projects [12][13]. Notable Institutions - Northeastern University is recognized for its extensive co-op program, with 70% of students completing two co-ops before graduation, leading to an 82% employment rate within nine months of graduation [20]. - Kettering University requires all students to participate in co-ops, resulting in graduates accumulating 2.5 years of work experience by the time they graduate [19]. - The University of Washington utilizes advanced career preparation tools, with 71% of students completing internships before graduation [26].

Core Insights - First Financial Bankshares has appointed Tim Brown as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, and CEO of First Technology Services, Inc. as part of its succession planning [1] - John Ruzicka, the former CIO, will transition to Chief Banking Operations Officer, focusing on enhancing the bank's backroom operations [1][3] Leadership Changes - Tim Brown brings over 35 years of technology innovation and operations experience, having previously worked at USAA and Johnson Financial Group, which positions him well for the bank's growth into a mid-size regional bank [2] - John Ruzicka has been with the company since 2018 and has significantly improved the bank's tech infrastructure and digital modernization [2][3] Company Overview - First Financial Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Financial Bankshares, Inc., operating multiple banking regions with 79 locations across Texas [3]

Core Points - First Financial Bank has elected Jeff Vorhees as Executive Vice President and Treasurer, highlighting the importance of his role in leading the finance team [1][2] - Jeff Vorhees brings significant experience from his previous position as Director of Corporate Treasury at Independent Financial, a $19 billion public bank, and has a background in asset liability management, investment banking, and regulatory examination [2] Company Overview - First Financial Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Financial Bankshares, Inc., which operates multiple banking regions with 79 locations across Texas [3] - The company also manages First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company and First Technology Services, Inc., expanding its service offerings beyond traditional banking [3]