Tampa-area business leader named lead director of Arkansas bank

Encore Bank says it has elected St. Petersburg resident Rita Lowman as its board's lead director.

Lowman, former president of Pilot Bank, is a banking veteran with 45 years of experience. Her career highlights include managing 23 acquisitions, including the NationsBank-Barnett merger in 1997, say Encore Bank officials.

"Rita joined our board in January of 2023, and since then, her depth of industry knowledge and remarkable leadership skills have made a significant impact on Encore Bank,” says Chris Roberts, Encore chairman and CEO, in a statement. "As our lead director, her leadership will be instrumental to us as we continue to grow and build a different kind of bank for our clients, partners and employees."