English 
Spanish 
Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company and one of America’s oldest and most impactful Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), today announced the appointment of John Hale, III to its Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to welcome John to our Board of Directors,” said Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc. “His extensive experience in finance, management consulting, and public service will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our mission-driven work in underserved communities.”
Hale brings to the board more than 30 years of experience in finance, management consulting, and federal government leadership. He currently serves as CEO of The Cornerstone Group, a consultancy based in Washington, D.C., that provides strategic advice assisting CEOs to scale and grow their companies. His previous roles include presidential appointments at the U.S. Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration, where he led initiatives that significantly expanded small business access to federal contracts and capital.
Hale serves on the board of the Private Directors Association and previously served as chair of the board of FSC First, a Maryland-based CDFI, and as a director on the boards of the State of Michigan’s Michigan Education Trust and the St. John Providence Hospital System.
“It is an honor to support Southern Bancorp’s mission to build economic opportunity in underserved communities,” said Hale. “This institution has a remarkable legacy of impact, and I look forward to contributing my experience to help advance this mission to more communities across the country.”
Hale’s appointment to the Southern Bancorp, Inc. Board of Directors is effective as of June 12, following the retirements of long-time board members Jim Prouty and Dan Koehler.
About Southern Bancorp
Founded in 1986 by some of the nation’s leading political, business, and philanthropic leaders with an initial investment of $10 million, Southern Bancorp, Inc., along with its development partners – Southern Bancorp Bank and Southern Bancorp Community Partners – has grown into a $2.8 billion asset organization with 56 locations serving customers throughout the South. Southern Bancorp has a unique array of financial products and services designed to help individuals at all stages of life’s financial journey – from teaching kids how to save to helping entrepreneurs and families realize the American Dream. Southern Bancorp is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, certified B-Corp, and proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. Learn more at www.BankSouthern.com and www.SouthernPartners.org.