Hampton D. Thames Named President and CEO of Citizens National Bank

Hampton D. Thames has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens National Bank, while Archie R. McDonnell has announced his retirement after nearly 50 years of service.

Thames, a 36-year employee of Citizens National Bank, was named President in April 2016 and has served in numerous areas of the Bank over the years. Having initially joined the Bank as a Branch Manager, he has served as a Relationship Banker, Executive Vice President of Sales, and Meridian Regional President throughout his career.

Approximately five years ago, the Bank implemented a management succession plan in several key areas, and the appointment of Thames to the position of President and CEO represents the culmination of that plan.

Archie McDonnell recently commented, “I wanted the Bank to perpetuate so that others could have the same blessings I’ve had over the past 49 years. I have great confidence in Hampton and our Executive Leadership Team, who have been managing our Bank on a daily basis for the past several years,” he said.

With numerous affiliations in the banking profession and the community, Thames is a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors and also serves as President of the Board for the Community Foundation of East Mississippi. In addition to these positions, he began serving a 3-year term on the Mississippi Bankers Association’s Board of Directors in 2023 and also serves as Vice President of the Meridian Community College Board of Trustees.

Recognized time and again by his peers as an outstanding citizen, Thames was honored as one of the Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2001 and one of The Meridian Star’s Top 10 Over 50 in 2022.

Commenting on Thames’ unique skillset for the position of Chief Executive Officer, Archie McDonnell said, “Citizens National Bank is the region’s premier independent community bank that has been in continuous existence for the past 137 years – a period in which the banking industry has been consolidated by 75%. Citizens National Bank is among the 25% of locally owned community banks that remain in business today and is an integral part of the communities we serve. Hampton has been chosen to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer because he understands our vision,” McDonnell added.

“I have also worked with him for the past 36 years and witnessed his passion for the Bank and its role in making our community a better place to live, work, and play. At the same time, he has displayed a passion for the success of not only his clients, but also the markets which we serve. Put succinctly, he gets it! And his career bears out the fact that he walks the walk and doesn’t just talk the talk.”

Thames received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Mississippi in 1985 and completed studies at the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in the year of 2000.

He and his wife, Michele, are proud parents of two sons. Davis is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, and Will is currently enrolled at the University as a sophomore.

As McDonnell retires, he leaves an amazing legacy, having led the Bank to incredible growth and high performance. For example, the Bank’s assets were less than $488 million when he assumed the position of President and CEO, and today, the Bank’s assets are more than $1.7 billion with 27 branch locations. McDonnell now serves as Executive Advisory Officer, as well as a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors and President of its Holding Company.

As Thames assumes the position of Chief Executive Officer, he commented: “Archie has been a transformative leader during his 25 years serving as the Bank’s CEO, and I feel blessed to have worked with him during that time. I also appreciate the opportunity that the Board of Directors has given me to lead this organization as we continue to earn the right to remain an independent community bank!”

 

 

 

Founded in 1888, Citizens National Bank will celebrate 137 years of service in March 2025 as an independent, Mississippi-owned community bank with locations in the following Mississippi communities: Meridian, Quitman, Philadelphia, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Waynesboro, Olive Branch, Southaven, Columbus, Kosciusko, Carthage, Ridgeland, Madison, and Flowood.

While the Bank has assets in excess of $1.7 billion, it also manages $2.2 billion in its Wealth Management Division, which is committed to assisting clients with the accumulation, preservation, and transfer of wealth.