At the end of July, CB&S Bank President and CEO Dennis Upchurch will trade in long hours at the bank for travel, bike rides and a slower pace of life.

Upchurch is retiring from the bank after 29 years in his current role.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” said Upchurch, who turned 70 years old Saturday. With the onset of his 70^th year, Upchurch said he just felt the time was right to do what was in the best interest of the bank as well as his own best interest.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here,” Upchurch said. Even on his first day at the bank nearly 30 years ago, “I was hoping I would be here until retirement. I had worked for two other banks, and I had the desire to be here until I retired, and it worked out.

“When I came (to Russellville) in 1984, I guess that gave me a jump on meeting people. They were curious about me, and I was curious about them,” Upchurch said. “People were very nice to me. They were very open and accepting … I had never been to a community that extended the open arms of welcome the way this community did.”

Upchurch came to CB&S Bank as president-elect in 1988 from Valley State Bank, which he had come to Russellville to help organize. At a banking conference he met Cecil Batchelor and then-president Gene Pace – and was later wooed into joining CB&S Bank, which back then was called Citizens Bank. Although he was committed to Valley State Bank as its CEO, over the course of numerous conversations, Upchurch said he couldn’t turn down the opportunities at CB&S, with its size and its potential for growth – a potential he was watched come to fruition.

“When I came here we were about $72 million in assets. Now we’re $1 billion, $625 million,” Upchurch said. He said he particularly enjoyed coming into CB&S and being able to take on more strategic development and leadership responsibilities than at Valley State. “I enjoyed the strategic side of it – planning, working on growth, looking at opening new branches or buying branches or banks and organizing for that growth. That’s probably the most exciting thing to me.”

Upchurch grew up in Winona, Miss., and began his banking career in West Point, Miss. He earned his degree in business administration from Ole Miss and later earned a graduate degree from Louisiana State University in banking.

“I always saw myself working in an office environment,” said Upchurch of his decision to pursue a career in banking. He said he also enjoyed the opportunity to interact with people and build connections.

In retirement, Upchurch said he is looking forward to embracing a more relaxed schedule. He and wife Sheila anticipate traveling and going boating and biking. They are also taking on the challenge of building a new house at Twin Pines.

Upchurch will remain on the Board of Directors of CB&S Bank and hold responsibilities on various committees.

The Bank announced Mike Ross, a native of Montgomery, will be the new president and CEO.

Ross joins CB&S Bank from Renasant Bank, where he held several leadership positions, most recently as Central Region president and chief commercial officer. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree through the executive program of the Manderson Graduate School of Business at the University of Alabama.

“We are thrilled that with Mike, we have someone who has the experience, business insight and visionary thinking to lead CB&S Bank into the future.” said Upchurch. “Under Mike’s leadership, the bank will continue to grow and strengthen its commitment to customers, employees, and the communities we serve. After 29 years of leading this great company, I am confident that CB&S Bank is in excellent and capable hands.”