Southside Bancshares Announces H.J. “Jay” Shands as New Chairman of the Board

Southside Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Southside Bank, is proud to announce H.J. “Jay” Shands as the new Chairman of the Board.

“Jay has been an integral part of Southside’s success over the years,” said Southside Bank CEO, Lee Gibson. “With Jay’s extensive background in banking and leadership, he will continue to play a key role in assuring strong corporate governance and oversight during his time as Chairman of the Board.”

Mr. Shands retired on April 30, 2020, as Southside’s Regional President, East Texas, a role he held since the acquisition of Diboll State Bancshares, Inc. by Southside on November 30, 2017. He has served on the Board of Southside Bancshares, Inc. since the 2017 acquisition.

Prior to that time, Mr. Shands served as President and CEO of First Bank & Trust East Texas for 26 years. He served as Vice Chairman of the Finance Commission of Texas where he represented the banking industry for 8 years. Mr. Shands is a Trustee for the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and the I.D. and the Marguerite Fairchild Foundation. He is currently a director for Contractor's Supply Inc. and served as a board member and chairman of CHI Memorial Health Center of East Texas, City of Lufkin 4B Economic Development, and First Bank of Conroe, N.A.