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January 10, 2020

Happy State Bank Announces New Board Member

Texas Hill Country scenery

AMARILLO, TX – J. Pat Hickman, Chairman and CEO of Happy State Bank, is pleased to announce the election of Nancy Gaitan-Kernell to the bank’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Gaitan-Kernell is the founder-owner of Area Community Hospice with locations in Plainview and Lubbock, TX. She has more than twenty years’ experience in healthcare and community service, having become a registered nurse in 1997. A native of Plainview, she serves as treasurer for the Area Community Hospice Foundation, is past president of the Texas & New Mexico Hospice Organization and is a board member on the Texas Workforce Commission Private Sector. She and her husband Kenny have been married for more than 25 years. They attend Abundant Grace Baptist Church in Plainview and have two sons, Cory, a DPS Trooper and Kyle, a designing engineer. They are also blessed with three grandchildren.

“Nancy brings a diverse and unique set of tools to our boardroom,” says Hickman. “We bank hundreds of small businesses and Nancy’s expertise as a successful entrepreneur and small business owner will give us greater insight in helping our customers grow their businesses – and it’s great to have still one more board member from the South Plains.

Ms. Gaitan-Kernell responded, “I am truly honored by the opportunity to serve on the board of directors for Happy State Bank. As a business owner, my principles and values align those of the bank. Being involved in the growth of West Texas through serving on Happy State Bank board is humbling and exciting. My roots are deeply planted and I welcome this refreshing challenge of being part of the Happy State Bank family.”

Learn more about what makes us Happy.

Through our uncompromising corporate culture, we've fostered record-setting growth with excellent returns to stockholders while maintaining a supportive work environment – all while giving back to the community.