Special to the Democrat

NATCHEZ — UMB is pleased to announce the following promotions:

Sandel named chief executive officer

Henry “Adrian” Sandel III joined UMB in 2007 and, most recently, served as chief financial officer.

Under Sandel’s financial leadership, UMB has grown exponentially from $200 million in assets to more than $350 million in assets, most notably through the acquisitions of Merchants and Farmers Bank in Melville, La., and the Peoples Bank in Bude.

“I am very excited to accept this new leadership role at UMB,” Sandel said. “I am very proud of our bank and the important role we play in the economies of Franklin County, Jefferson County, Adams County and Concordia Parish.”

With 31 years of experience in the banking industry, Sandel is prepared for the challenges of his new role as CEO. Previously, Sandel served as city president for Deposit Guaranty, later known as AmSouth Bank.

Sandel is a graduate of South Natchez Adams High School and the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received a bachelor of science in business administration. He is a graduate of the Louisiana Bankers Association School of Banking as well as the Graduate School of Bank Investment and Financial Management at the University of South Carolina and has attended numerous other banking and leadership training courses and schools. He is a long time member of the Rotary Club where he is a Past President and is a graduate of Leadership Natchez through the Natchez Chamber of Commerce. Having previously served on the boards of United Way, the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce, and Cathedral School, Sandel has been heavily involved in various local organizations. Sandel is a member of First Baptist Church.

Married to Lisa Sandel, they have two children, Ashley and Will.

Ellard named president and chief credit officer 

Michael B. Ellard joined UMB in 2006 as senior vice president and senior credit officer. Since 2006, the bank has increased its investment in the community by growing its loan portfolio from $134 million to nearly $260 million.

“I am proud to be a part of the UMB team that has successfully reached out to serve all segments of the communities in our lending markets,” Ellard said. “It is through the lending process that we are able to build stable and prosperous communities, giving members of our community the opportunity to better themselves and improve their quality of life. I am honored to help lead this excellent team.”

Ellard began his career with the accounting firm, Arthur Anderson and Company in Nashville, Tenn. He then transitioned into the banking industry when he joined Deposit Guaranty Bank in Jackson. He later moved to Britton & Koontz in Natchez, serving as senior vice president and senior credit officer before moving to UMB.

Ellard is a graduate of South Natchez Adams High School and Mississippi State University where he received a bachelor of arts degree in history, graduating cum laude, and a master of Business Administration with a focus in Management and Economics, graduating Suma Cum Laude. Ellard graduated from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU and the American Bankers Association Institute of Certified Bankers, where he became a Certified Lender of Business Banking. Consistently involved in community organizations, Ellard served as Treasurer and President of the Natchez Lions Club and board member of United Way and the American Heart Association. In 2011, Governor Haley Barber appointed Ellard to the Mississippi Prison Industries Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Mississippi Bankers Association, Risk Management Association, and the Natchez Santa Clause Committee. Ellard is a past adjunct instructor at Co-Lin Natchez and is a President Level Member of the MSU Bulldog Club, previously serving as Treasurer for the Miss Lou Alumni Association. He is a member of Parkway Baptist church.

Ellard is married to Sandra, and they have three children, Andrew, Kate and Marty.

Hutchins named executive vice president/chief operating officer

Christopher L. Hutchins began his career with UMB as a financial service representative in 1995 at the Walmart Branch. In 1998, he was promoted to branch manager and lender at the Morgantown branch. He has since served as area manager and commercial lender during which time the bank doubled its number of branches and expanded into multiple markets.  With his vast experience in branch operations, as COO, Hutchins brings extensive knowledge to his focus on maximizing the efficiency of business.

Hutchins is a graduate of South Natchez High School and Mississippi State University where he received a bachelor of business administration and a master of business administration degrees. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and the Vanderbilt University School of Consumer Lending. Hutchins is a longtime member of the Natchez Rotary Club and serves on both the advisory boards for the Mississippi State University MBA Program and the Co-Lin College of Business. Formerly, he was a board member of Beau Pre’ Country Club, Trinity Episcopal School and the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce. Hutchins is a member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church.

Married to Skeeter Hutchins, they have two children, Kailey and Kyle.

Middleton named executive vice president/chief financial officer  

Lauren B. Middleton, CPA/PFS, joined UMB in 2013 as vice president/loan review. Previously, she was employed by The Gillon Group PLLC, for seven years, reaching the level of partner of the firm when she left to join UMB. As a certified public accountant and personal financial specialist with five years of banking experience, Middleton brings a broad knowledge of finances to her responsibilities of financial planning and management of financial risks.

Middleton is a graduate of Cathedral High School and Louisiana State University where she received a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master of business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. A member of the Natchez Garden Club, Middleton has served as past Treasurer. She is president of the Southwest Society of Certified Public Accountants, treasurer of the Tourism Management and Advisory Committee for the Convention Promotion Commission, and past chairman of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce. Always involved in her local community, Lauren is active with various other civic organizations. She is a member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church.

Married to Wes Middleton, they have two children, Jake and Adele.