George A. Makris, Jr. is the former Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corporation, a role he took over on January 1, 2014. Before that, he was the CEO-elect and had been a director at the company since 1997,...
George A. Makris, Jr. is the former Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corporation, a role he took over on January 1, 2014. Before that, he was the CEO-elect and had been a director at the company since 1997, even leading its Audit Committee for several years. Makris has a strong background in business, holding a B.A. in Business Administration from Rhodes College and an M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas. Prior to his time with Simmons, he was the President of M.K. Distributors, a beverage distribution company, and he has extensive experience serving on various boards, such as the Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County and the Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Makris is known for strategic leadership during acquisitions, which has helped Simmons grow. His compensation has varied significantly over the years, peaking at around $5.77 million in 2021, primarily driven by bonuses and stock awards reflecting the company's strong performance. He has played a key role in shaping the company’s direction, focusing on aligning executive compensation with company performance, which makes him a practical leader in a competitive financial landscape.