Arvest is pleased to announce that Mark Stephen has been named president of the bank’s Tulsa region. He replaces Kirk Hays, who was recently promoted to Regional Executive for the bank’s northwest region, including Oklahoma.
Stephen, who joined Arvest in 2004, most recently served as executive vice president and loan manager for the Tulsa market. He has held various roles with Arvest over the last 21 years, including credit analyst, commercial loan officer and credit administrator.
“Mark’s extensive experience across all lines of business within Arvest and the deep relationships he has with so many in our community make him an ideal person to lead our Tulsa market,” said Hays. “I believe his leadership will further enhance our strategic partnerships and drive continued success for us in the region.”
Hays and Stephen will work closely as they transition into their new roles in the coming months.
“I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and commitment within our teams, and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of associates,” said Stephen. “I look forward to building upon the strong foundation we’ve established in the Tulsa community and beyond.”
Stephen received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Oklahoma and his MBA from the University of Tulsa. He serves on the board of the Tulsa Area United Way and is a member of the organization’s Finance/Audit and Collaborations committees.
In April, Hays, who has served as president of the bank’s Tulsa region since 2015, was named Regional Executive – Northwest, overseeing banking operations in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. He replaces Rodney Shepard, who was named Regional Executive – Southeast, replacing Craig Rivaldo, who will retire later this year after 37 years with the bank.