NEA C-Suite: Dale Cole

What is the best business advice someone has ever given you? Never forget that people do business with people. Technology, products and the way we deliver banking services will continue to change, but trust and relationships never go out of style. I have always believed that if you surround yourself with good people, treat them well and give them the opportunity to succeed, they will take care of your customers and your business.

Which skills do you think are most important when it comes to leadership? Listening, communication, integrity and the ability to make decisions are all important. I also think a good leader has to recognize that he or she does not have all the answers. You have to surround yourself with talented people, listen to them and trust them to do their jobs. Leadership is not about getting credit; it is about creating an environment where other people can be successful.

What is the most used app on your phone? Probably email. With 35 locations and hundreds of employees across two states, there is always something going on, and email keeps me connected to what is happening throughout the bank.

When you were growing up, what did you want to be? Like a lot of kids, what I wanted to be probably changed over the years. I do not know that I could have imagined the career I have or what First Community Bank would become. What I appreciate most is that I have had the opportunity to build something alongside a lot of talented people and to do it in a way that makes a difference in the communities we call home. Looking back, I cannot imagine a more rewarding career.

If you had $1 million to give, what would you support? I would invest it right back into the communities we serve, particularly in efforts that create opportunities for children and families. Whether that is education, youth programs, healthcare or organizations that help families through difficult circumstances, I believe an investment in people can have an impact for generations. Community banking has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how much can be accomplished when people come together around a worthwhile cause.

How would you describe your company? First Community Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank that was founded in Batesville in 1997. We started with 14 employees, $3.5 million in capital and a group of 153 local investors who believed our communities deserved a bank where decisions could be made locally and relationships mattered. Today, we have grown to approximately $3.6 billion in assets, around 670 professional bankers and 35 locations across Arkansas and Missouri. While our size and footprint have changed considerably, our philosophy has not. We believe in taking care of our customers, investing in our communities and giving our employees opportunities to grow. Our name says a lot about who we are: First Community Bank. We want the communities we serve to know they truly do come first.

Recently, the Jonesboro Advertising & Promotion Commission and First Community Bank reached a naming rights partnership that will officially rename the Ridge Athletics Center as the First Community Bank Sportsplex. The deal is for $4.525 million, and will last for 15 years. Slated to open in early 2027, the 200,000-square-foot First Community Bank Sportsplex will serve as a destination for athletes, families, tournaments, and community events in the region. The First Community Bank Sportsplex features space to hold 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts, an Olympic-size 40,000-square-foot natatorium with 1-meter and 3-meter diving and 1,245 spectator seats, a competition warm-up pool, an outdoor aquatics park, and events center. The facility is already booking tournaments and events for 2027 and beyond.

NEA C-Suite: Dale Cole

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