---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001171843-22-008109"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SFNC"
cik: "0000090498"
company_name: "SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP"
filed_at: "2022-12-19T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-21T03:00:55.853296+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Simmons First National announces CEO succession: Makris to Executive Chairman, Fehlman new CEO

## Summary
- George Makris Jr., former CEO, becomes full-time Executive Chairman effective Jan 1, 2023.
- Robert Fehlman promoted from President/COO to CEO; Jay Brogdon becomes President & CFO.
- Changes designed for smooth leadership transition; Makris will continue as Board Chairman.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001171843-22-008109
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SFNC
- cik: 0000090498
- company_name: SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP
- filed_at: 2022-12-19T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/90498/000117184322008109/0001171843-22-008109-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/90498/000117184322008109/f8k_121922.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-22-008109
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-22-008109.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001171843-22-008109.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  James M. Brogdon was appointed as president and chief financial officer at SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: president and chief financial officer
  source text: appointed James M. Brogdon (age 42), the Company’s current executive vice president and chief financial officer, as president and chief financial officer, effective January 1, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/90498/000117184322008109/0001171843-22-008109-index.htm
- Executive change
  George A. Makris, Jr. was appointed as executive chairman at SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: executive chairman
  source text: appointed George A. Makris, Jr. (age 66), the Company’s current chairman and chief executive officer, as executive chairman of the Company, effective January 1, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/90498/000117184322008109/0001171843-22-008109-index.htm
- Executive change
  Robert A. Fehlman was appointed as chief executive officer at SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: chief executive officer
  source text: appointed Robert A. Fehlman (age 58), the Company’s current president and chief operating officer, as chief executive officer of the Company, effective January 1, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/90498/000117184322008109/0001171843-22-008109-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.