BankFirst Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

BankFirst has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, and regional operations.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, BankFirst focuses on social responsibility, long-term stability, and innovation to support community growth and financial well-being.

Leadership Roles at BankFirst

  • Chief Executive Officer - Jerry Wilson
  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Jay Tindall
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Jolene Carroll
  • President, Chief Executive Officer - Robert Mills
  • Chief Financial Officer - Thomas Higginbotham
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Mary Ann Gray
  • President, Laurel Community Bank - Jameson Buckley
  • Regional President (South Mississippi) - Kris Mangum
  • President-Desoto County - Kent Purvis
  • Executive Vice President - E. Flora
  • Jerry Wilson - Chief Executive Officer

    Jerry Wilson, the Chief Executive Officer at BankFirst, directs the overarching corporate strategy and operational execution. Wilson guides the institution's commitment to community focus and customer satisfaction, ensuring alignment with the bank's mission of fostering long-term stability and innovation. This leadership role involves setting the strategic vision for all departments, driving initiatives that enhance the bank's market position within the finance and banking sector. By overseeing key strategic decisions, Jerry Wilson ensures that BankFirst continues to provide a wide range of banking products and services while maintaining a positive workplace culture and supporting community financial well-being.

    Jay Tindall - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    Jay Tindall, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at BankFirst, presides over the board of directors and provides ultimate strategic direction for the financial institution. Tindall's leadership emphasizes BankFirst's core values of social responsibility and customer satisfaction, driving initiatives that promote long-term stability and innovation. This executive position involves shaping the company's vision and ensuring its operations consistently reflect a commitment to excellence. By guiding the executive team, Jay Tindall ensures the bank effectively serves its communities and supports their financial growth, maintaining a strong presence in the banking sector through strategic oversight and governance.

    Jolene Carroll - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Jolene Carroll, the President & Chief Executive Officer at BankFirst, executes the strategic vision and operational management of the entire organization. Carroll champions the bank's commitment to customer satisfaction and community focus, driving initiatives that foster innovation and long-term stability. This leadership role involves direct oversight of all banking operations, ensuring a wide range of products and services meet client needs. By cultivating a positive workplace culture, Jolene Carroll supports the financial well-being of the communities BankFirst serves, solidifying the institution's reputation for excellence in the finance and banking industry.

    Robert Mills - President, Chief Executive Officer

    Robert Mills, the President, Chief Executive Officer at BankFirst, spearheads the strategic direction and operational performance of the financial institution. Mills reinforces BankFirst's dedication to community focus and customer satisfaction, driving forward initiatives centered on innovation and long-term stability. This executive capacity involves overseeing all facets of the bank's operations, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive banking products and services. Through effective leadership, Robert Mills cultivates a supportive workplace environment and champions the financial growth of the communities BankFirst supports, upholding the bank's commitment to excellence.

    Thomas Higginbotham - Chief Financial Officer

    Thomas Higginbotham, the Chief Financial Officer at BankFirst, directs all financial planning, management, and reporting activities for the institution. Higginbotham ensures robust fiscal health, managing capital allocation, risk assessment, and investment strategies to support BankFirst's commitment to long-term stability and innovation. This critical role involves overseeing accounting operations, treasury functions, and financial analysis to guide strategic decision-making. By maintaining stringent financial controls and optimizing resource utilization, Thomas Higginbotham supports the bank's growth objectives and its mission to provide excellent service to customers and communities.
    Thomas Higginbotham

    Mary Ann Gray - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Mary Ann Gray, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at BankFirst, manages the financial operations and strategic fiscal planning for the organization. Gray oversees treasury functions, financial reporting, and capital management, ensuring the bank's adherence to regulatory standards and its commitment to long-term stability. This executive position involves collaborating with other leaders to drive financial performance and support the bank's community-focused initiatives. By guiding financial strategies, Mary Ann Gray contributes significantly to BankFirst's operational excellence and its capacity to innovate while serving its customer base effectively.

    Jameson Buckley - President, Laurel Community Bank

    Jameson Buckley, the President, Laurel Community Bank at BankFirst, leads the strategic direction and operational management of the Laurel Community Bank division. Buckley champions the bank's commitment to community focus and customer satisfaction within the Laurel region, driving initiatives that foster local innovation and long-term stability. This leadership role involves direct oversight of all banking operations specific to Laurel Community Bank, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive banking products and services tailored to the local market. By cultivating a strong regional presence, Jameson Buckley supports the financial well-being of the Laurel community, upholding BankFirst's standards of excellence.

    Kris Mangum - Regional President (South Mississippi)

    Kris Mangum, the Regional President (South Mississippi) at BankFirst, directs operations and strategic growth across the South Mississippi region. Mangum embodies the bank's commitment to community focus and customer satisfaction, driving initiatives that promote local innovation and long-term stability throughout the area. This executive capacity involves overseeing all banking activities within South Mississippi, ensuring the delivery of a wide range of products and services that meet regional needs. By fostering strong relationships and supporting local financial well-being, Kris Mangum ensures BankFirst's continued success and positive impact in the communities served.

    Kent Purvis - President-Desoto County

    Kent Purvis, the President-Desoto County at BankFirst, leads the strategic development and operational execution for the Desoto County market. Purvis champions BankFirst's core values of community focus and customer satisfaction, driving local initiatives that foster innovation and ensure long-term stability within the region. This executive role involves direct oversight of all banking operations in Desoto County, ensuring the delivery of a comprehensive suite of banking products and services tailored to local needs. By cultivating strong community ties, Kent Purvis supports the financial well-being of Desoto County residents and businesses, upholding the bank's commitment to excellence.

    E. Flora - Executive Vice President

    E. Flora, the Executive Vice President at BankFirst, oversees critical operational functions and strategic initiatives that support the bank's overall mission. Flora's leadership focuses on enhancing customer satisfaction and driving operational efficiency, contributing to the institution's commitment to long-term stability and innovation. This senior role involves managing key departments and ensuring seamless execution of banking services across various platforms. By collaborating with other executive leaders, E. Flora plays a vital part in maintaining BankFirst's reputation for excellence and supporting the financial growth of the communities it serves.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding BankFirst Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads BankFirst?
    BankFirst is led by Jerry Wilson (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jay Tindall (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer) and Jolene Carroll (President & Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of BankFirst’s executive team?
    The executive team of BankFirst includes leaders such as Jerry Wilson (Chief Executive Officer), Jay Tindall (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Jolene Carroll (President & Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does BankFirst have?
    BankFirst has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in BankFirst’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of BankFirst includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer.