DR. NICHOLAS F. TSOURMAS (RIGHT), medical director for Texas Mutual Insurance Co., was announced as this year's recipient of the Texas Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Award by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Also pictured is Dr. David Rowlett.

BANK CONSOLIDATION

East Texas Financial Corp., the parent company of Citizens Bank, headquartered in Kilgore, and the majority owner of Gladewater National Bank, headquartered in Gladewater, announced the signing of a definitive agreement providing for the merger of Gladewater National Bank with and into Citizens Bank.

The combined bank, which will operate under the name Citizens Bank, will have total assets of approximately $425 million and will continue to serve the organization’s traditional East Texas markets through 11 full-service branches, including its home office, which will remain in Kilgore, one loan and deposit production office located in Plano, and one limited service facility located in Gladewater.

Larry T. Long will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board and Sammy York will continue to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined bank. Luke Kimbrough, the President of Gladewater National Bank, will become Chief Executive Officer of the Gladewater Banking Center of Citizens Bank.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to consolidate our banking organization,” said Long. “Our consolidation will result in a stronger bank with broader market presence, greater lending capabilities, increased capital levels and more efficient, centralized operations. But most importantly, the move will enable us to better serve our customers with a superior level of products, services and care regardless of their location.”

The merger has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of East Texas Financial Corp., Citizens Bank and Gladewater National Bank and is expected to close during the third quarter of 2018, although delays may occur.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval by Gladewater National Bank’s shareholders and the receipt of customary regulatory approvals. The banks will continue to operate independently until the merger is completed.

FINANCIAL HALL OF FAME Neal Vasso, CFP®, APMA®, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Tyler, has earned membership in the company’s exclusive Hall of Fame.

Introduced in 1986, the Hall of Fame is designed to recognize exceptional professionals who have achieved years of consistently high performance. The Ameriprise Financial Hall of Fame is considered a lifetime achievement award.

Less than 2 percent of Ameriprise financial advisors have earned the prestigious Hall of Fame distinction. Vasso was one of only 22 advisors to achieve this status and will be recognized at the 2018 National Conference in San Francisco.

As a Private Wealth Advisor/financial advisor, Vasso provides financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations, and is delivered in one-on-one relationships with his clients.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR HONORED

Dr. Nicholas F. Tsourmas, medical director for Texas Mutual Insurance Co., was announced as this year’s recipient of the Texas Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Award by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.

Tsourmas, an orthopedic surgery specialist, received the award Friday at the school’s banquet honoring 2017 and 2018 graduates of the occupational residency program.

“This award exemplifies the hard work and tireless service Dr. Tsourmas gives towards occupational medicine,” Rich Gergasko, president and chief executive officer of Texas Mutual, said. “We’re pleased that he received this honor, and we’re proud to have his experience and leadership on our team at Texas Mutual.”

The Texas Institute of Occupational Safety and Health is the occupational and environmental medicine program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. The program was created to assist companies and their employees in meeting the goal of a safer and healthier workplace.

Tsourmas was chosen for his service in this field along with his leadership as medical director at Texas Mutual, a role he’s held since 1994.

Tsourmas obtained degrees from Northwestern University and Georgetown University, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree. He held an internship in internal medicine at Penn State University before completing his residency at George Washington University.

NEW BRANCH MANAGER

Travis Edwards, who has been with Shearer Supply Inc. for 12 years, was named the branch manager of the Tyler store. Travis understands the level of customer service Shearer Supply dealers have learned to expect and is committed to continuing this level of service.

Shearer Supply, the American Standard distributor in North Texas and surrounding states, is a family business and has been an American Standard distributor since 1988 and is proud to represent the consumers No. 1 choice in HVAC.