Amarillo area business news and developments for Sept. 29, 2024
Interstate Bank announces leadership transition: Danny Skarda retires, Blair Berg elected as Chairman and CEO
Interstate Bank announces the retirement of Danny Skarda, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and the election of Blair Berg as his successor. Blair will assume his new role on Sept. 30.
Berg, who has served as Interstate Bank’s Chief Financial Officer for the past five years, brings 18 years of industry experience, according to a news release. He holds a degree in accounting and business administration from Texas Lutheran University and has demonstrated exceptional leadership, critical thinking, and a strong commitment to the community. He also serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.
Skarda, a third-generation banker, retires after a distinguished career managing banks in New Mexico, Montana, and Texas for more than 45 years. His tenure as CEO began in 1981, and he has remained deeply engaged in the development and mentorship of his teams. Reflecting on his career, Skarda said, “You’re only as good as your people, and we’re pretty darn good.”
A retirement reception for Skarda was held Sept. 26 at Interstate Bank’s Amarillo office, 5085 Coulter St. S.
Interstate Bank, a trusted financial institution in the Texas Panhandle for over 60 years, continues its tradition of offering personalized banking services through its locations in Perryton and Amarillo. The bank provides a wide range of financial products, including personal and business accounts, loans, and cash management services, while maintaining a commitment to local communities. For more information, visit Interstate Bank’s website.
NWTHS: Heart and Vascular Center first in Amarillo to implant device to treat symptoms of heart failure
Northwest Texas Healthcare System (NWTHS) Heart and Vascular Center announced on Sept. 23 the hospital’s first successful implant of Barostim Baroreflex Activation Therapy, the world’s first FDAapproved heart failure device to use neuromodulation – the power of the brain and nervous system – to improve the symptoms of patients with systolic heart failure.
This therapy was designed to treat heart failure patients who may not be receiving adequate symptom relief from medications alone, according to a news release. The procedure took place at NWTHS Heart and Vascular Center and was performed by Dr. Bradley Trinidad, Vascular Surgeon and Dr. Prakash Desai, Cardiology/Electrophysiology.
“Providing the latest and most innovative medical technology for patients with heart failure is important to us. This is in line with our standard as the area’s regional cardiovascular center” stated Dr. Bradley Trinidad, Director of Endovascular and Vascular Surgery at the NWTHS Heart and Vascular Center.
Unlike other heart failure device therapies, Barostim contains no hardware in the heart or vasculature. It works by electrically stimulating baroreceptors – natural sensors located in the wall of the carotid artery – that tell the nervous system how to regulate heart, kidney and vascular function. These effects reduce the heart’s workload and help it pump more efficiently, helping to restore balance to the autonomic nervous system and improve the symptoms of heart failure.
First United Bank welcomes Brayden Ruthart as VP of commercial lending, Bianca Ramirez as VP of Mortgage Lending
Plains Bancorp, Inc., holding company for First United Bank, is proud to announce the addition of Brayden Ruthart to its Amarillo lending team and Bianca Ramirez to its Spirit Mortgage Amarillo lending team. Ruthart will serve as Vice President of Commercial Lending and Ramirez will serve as Vice President of Mortgage Lending. Both will be located at the Amarillo Colonies Banking Center, located at 4501 First United Bank Parkway in Amarillo.
An Amarillo native, Ruthart graduated from the University of North Texas in 2014. After spending nearly a decade working with financial institutions in North Texas, he and his wife, Kelly, are thrilled to return to Amarillo to serve the people and businesses of West Texas. Outside of commercial lending, Ruthart enjoys serving his community through volunteer work and spending time with his family.
Originally from Hereford, Ramirez graduated with a Business Administration degree from Amarillo College in 2018. Ramirez is currently a member of the Amarillo Association of Realtors committee and a member of the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Outside of mortgage lending, Ramirez enjoys playing softball and volleyball. She stays busy outside of work raising her three daughters with her husband Brandon.
First United Bank, a subsidiary of Plains Bancorp, Inc., reports total assets of more than $2 billion and currently operates 17 banking center offices in 13 West Texas markets: Amarillo, Canyon, Childress, Dimmitt, Earth, Lamesa, Littlefield, Lubbock, Paducah, Seagraves, Seminole, Sudan, and Wichita Falls, Texas. Visit them online at www.FirstUnited.BANK.
TTUHSC named a 2024 ‘Great College to Work For’
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) was again named one of the best colleges in the U.S. to work for, with special designation as an “Honor Roll” institution, according to a recent survey by The Great Colleges to Work For program.
The results were released Sept. 20 at GreatCollegesList.com and in a special insert in The Chronicle of Higher Education. According to a news release, the results are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. In all, 75 of those institutions received “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. TTUHSC also was named to the Great Colleges Honor Roll, a status granted to only 42 institutions for standing out in their size categories. This marks the third consecutive year TTUHSC earned the Honor Roll designation. Results are reported for small, medium and large institutions, with TTUHSC included among the medium universities.
TTUHSC won honors in five categories this year: job satisfaction and support; compensation and benefits; professional development; shared governance; and faculty experience.
“We are committed to fostering an exceptional work environment comprised of individuals who embody our core values, and the Great Colleges to Work For recognition reflects this,” TTUHSC President Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D., said. “Each team member plays a vital role in fulfilling our commitment to improving access to care across our great state and impacting the future of health.”
28th Annual Chamber Barbecue Cook-Off is October 3
The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce is holding the 28th Annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, October 3, at the Tri-State Fairgrounds. The parking lot south of the Amarillo National Center Arena at the Fairgrounds will showcase 100 cooking teams and sponsors serving up mouthwatering barbecue with all the trimmings and ice-cold beverages. The event will also feature live music from Velvet Funk and awards for the top 3 places in corporate, amateur, and professional divisions cooking ribs, brisket, and other meat.
Tickets for this event are still just $30 in advance or $40 at the gate and include all you can eat, drink, and network with live music. Tickets are on sale now at the Chamber of Commerce Office at 1000 S Polk, the Civic Center Box Office, by phone at (806) 378-3096, or online at PanhandleTickets.com.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Reed Beverage, Tyson Foods, and United Supermarket/Market Street/Amigos, and nearly 100 other sponsoring teams.
Get more information on this event at or by calling the Chamber at (806) 373-7800 or searching Amarillo Chamber on social media. Tickets will not be sold at any United Supermarket/Market Street/Amigos (Panhandle Ticket outlets) this year due to a software/technology issue, so the Chamber and the Box Office are the two main locations for buying tickets.
USDA launches assistance network to support financially distressed farmers and ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the launch of the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, an initiative designed to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers across the nation.
Through a series of Cooperative Agreements, this national network will connect distressed borrowers with individualized assistance to help them stabilize and regain financial footing. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) made this announcement this week at the Farm Aid Festival in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., according to a news release.
FSA recently announced significant changes to Farm Loan Programs through the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule. These policy changes, to take effect Sept. 25, 2024, are designed to expand opportunities for borrowers to increase profitability and be better prepared to make strategic investments in enhancing or expanding their agricultural operations.
USDA encourages producers to reach out to their local FSA farm loan staff to ensure they fully understand the wide range of loan making and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining their agricultural operation. To conduct business with FSA, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center.
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