TEXARKANA -- Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce has a new president and chief executive officer.
Retired banker Denis Washington was appointed as interim Chamber chief by a unanimous vote Tuesday at a special board meeting.
"Denis is a great leader for our organization during this time of transition," said 2021 Chamber board President Jennifer Harland. "Denis also has the knowledge and skill to direct the staff and board while we work to find the next president for the chamber."
Washington retired from Regions Bank in December 2020, following a 34-year career in banking. The native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has lived in Texarkana since 1986 and began his commercial banking career at Commercial National Bank. He is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University and the University of Oklahoma's National Commercial Lending Graduate School.
An alumnus of the Leadership Texarkana Class of 1988, Washington serves on a number of community organizations, including the boards of TexAmericas Center and Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, the Texarkana Public Facilities Corp., the AR-TX Regional Development Inc. and JCM Industries Advisory Board.
Washington is also the recipient of the Idalee Hawkins Leadership Award and the C.E. Palmer Award for civic service. He and his wife, Mary, have three sons -- Roderick, Brandon and Jared -- and four grandchildren -- Myles, Amaya, Sydney and Olivia.
Washington is succeeding Mike Malone, who recently retired after serving as Chamber president for five years.