Rodney Shepard

Rodney Shepard is executive vice president and a regional executive for Arvest Bank, where he has worked since 1993. He previously served as president for Arvest in the Fort Smith, Ark., and Springfield, Mo., markets and later as Chief Customer Experience Officer for the bank group.

In his current role, Shepard leads, supports and advocates for bank markets’ efforts under his supervision, particularly as they relate to helping those communities grow and thrive. This aligns with his career-long commitment to staying informed and actively involved in the communities he’s lived in, with the intent to make them places of opportunity.

In addition to Forward, Shepard’s current community involvement includes serving as a board member for Mercy Health Fort Smith Communities and the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s Board of Visitors. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Northeastern State University, a master’s in business administration from Webster University and also is an alumnus of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and the Barrett School of Banking in Memphis, Tenn.

Shepard and his wife, Lisa, live in Fort Smith, Ark., and have two adult children.