Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NATCHEZ — UMB is pleased to announce the appointments of Mike Ellard and Deborah Stahlman to its Board of Directors, marking a new milestone in the institution’s commitment to leadership excellence and strategic governance.

The newly appointed members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to UMB, representing skill sets that will contribute to the bank’s continued growth and Success.

With 35 years of experience in the banking industry, Mike Ellard began his banking career 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 graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and the American Bankers Association Institute of Certified Bankers, where he became a Certified Lender of Business Banking.

Consistently involved in community and state-wide organizations, Ellard was elected to the Mississippi Bankers Association Board of Directors in 2018, representing 12 counties in Southwest Mississippi. He 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 Barbour appointed Ellard to the Mississippi Prison Industries Board of Directors. 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. Married to Sandra, they have three children, Andrew, Kate, and Marty.

With a diverse business background, Stahlman began her career in banking at UMB, working in the mortgage department and as a Branch Manager. Later she worked in the hospitality industry as a catering manager at ROCC in Houston, Texas. After moving to Bar Harbor, Maine, Stahlman continued to grow her experience in the hospitality sector and became an entrepreneur when she purchased the Coach

Stop Inn in Bar Harbor.

Currently, she is the General Manager and part owner of the River View Park

in Vidalia, Louisiana. Being back home and a part of the community is important to Stahlman who served on the FOR Natchez Board, which was responsible for the fundraising and development of the professional urban plan to guide economic development and revitalization of Historic Downtown Natchez.

Stahlman is married to Kevin Prout, and they have two children, Wyatt and Ashley.

“We are thrilled to welcome these accomplished professionals to our Board of Directors,” said Board Chair Bruce Kuehnle. “Their collective expertise will play a pivotal role in guiding UMB toward new heights, ensuring we continue to provide exceptional service to our customers and stakeholders. The UMB Board of Directors is confident that these appointments will strengthen the governance framework, enhance the decision-making processes, and fortify the bank’s position in an ever-evolving financial landscape.”

In addition, Adam Blake Roberts was recently appointed Assistant Bank Security Act (BSA) Officer and Assistant BSA Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Officer.

Roberts began his banking career in July of 2022 in the Compliance department at UMB where he was trained in bank security.

Through the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) program, Roberts earned his BSA/AML Professional Certification at the ICBA Institute. Previously, Roberts worked as a Media Buyer for four years at Southern Designs and at  Concordia Parish Library for 2 years.

Roberts graduated from Huntington Academy and attended Nicholls State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. He often rescues and fosters animals in his spare time. Adams is married to Brooke Hux Roberts and is a member of Saint Mary’s Basilica.

UMB, formerly known as First Natchez Bank, was chartered on February 23, 1973, and opened its first office on May 14, 1973, in Natchez, Adams County Mississippi. Since opening, UMB has been a recognized market leader in the financial services industry in southwest Mississippi and Louisiana. UMB strives to meet the needs of each citizen at its nine locations and is committed to serving the diverse needs of the area with a focus on personalized service and community engagement.