2022 Shining Stars

Congratulations to Our 2022 Shining Stars!

Our Shining Stars have demonstrated consistent excellence in fulfilling our Customer Service First Philosophy. They perform at the highest level, doing so while maintaining positive attitudes and a proactive approach to accomplishing our Mission. The First Financial Shining Stars represent our Company well, honoring our long-standing reputation by acting with unmatched professionalism, a relentless work ethic, and an ongoing desire to build, improve, and refine relationships with both customers and fellow employees.


Angela Batton - Weatherford

  • Job Title: Retail Manager Trainee
  • Years of employment: 4
  • Highest Level of Education: Some College
  • Hometown: Weatherford, TX
  • Spouse: Christopher Batton
  • Children: 16 year old girl and 14 year old boy.
"I love getting to learn from Strong, Educated, and Confident Women."

Arlette Saucedo - Orange

  • Job Title: Mortgage Loan Originator
  • Years of employment: 1
  • Highest Level of Education: High School
  • Hometown: Brooklyn Center, MN
  • Spouse: Candelario Saucedo
  • Children: Lexi (7) and Heriberto (4)
"Working at First Financial Bank has provided me with so many opportunities. I get to work with so many people and I love that we have programs for everyone. I’ve gotten the chance to help close friends/family in ways that I didn’t think I could because of our programs. I hope to continue to be an impact in the Hispanic community and with help from the leadership, which is truly unmatched, I think I can. We stand by our non-negotiables; those to whom I directly report to always lead with honesty, integrity, and always encourage and challenge me to grow and reach my full potential. To say that I feel valued and appreciated is an understatement. I’m grateful for being part of such an AMAZING team!"


Becky Porter - Kingwood

  • Job Title: Lending Assistant
  • Years of Employment: 5
  • Highest Level of Education: Real Estate License and Loan Officer Certification
  • Hometown: Born and raised in Kermit, TX and lived in Odessa, TX for 30 Years, and moved to Kingwood in 2010.
  • Spouse: Joey Porter
  • Children: 5
"The team that I work with are more than just coworkers they are my friends as well. We have a phenomenal leader that truly cares for her employees. I enjoy working with customers that appreciate having a bank where they can come in face to face to discuss their loan needs. Being able to connect with other employees in other branches is a definite bonus."


Brenda Trinidad - Abilene

  • Job Title: Vice President - Retail Manager
  • Years of employment:  9
  • Highest Level of Education: Cisco college
  • Hometown: Mexico City, MX
  • Spouse: Arnold Trinidad Jr.
  • Children: Ariell (14) and J.J. (13)
"I love working for First Financial because of the involvement we have in our community. It’s great to know that the company we work for not only cares about their employees and customers, but also about the impact we make in Abilene."

Diane Cassey - Bank Shared Services: Lending

  • Job Title: QMQC Analyst
  • Years with First Financial: 7
  • Education: Associates Degree
  • Hometown: Warwick, RI
  • Spouse: Carl Croft
  • Children: Kristofer
"I love the people I get to work with every day. Everyone here works as a team to help service our internal and external customers. I also love that First Financial always provides opportunities for employees to serve the community in various ways."

Edward Carrasco - San Angelo

  • Job Title: Branch Manager/ Senior Vice President
  • Years of employment: 13 years with First Financial, 22 years in banking
  • Highest Level of Education: BBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Hometown: Sonora, TX
  • Spouse: Olivia Carrasco
  • Children: Ethan (13) and Evan (9)
"What I love most about working for First Financial Bank is being able to help our customers with their financial needs.  Our culture is all about relationships.  Because of these relationships we build, we grow with our customer’s changing needs and are there as a financial partner through life changes."

Hannah Rimer - Bank Shared Services: Compliance

  • Job Title: VP, Senior Compliance Officer
  • Years of employment: 17
  • Highest Level of Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and Accounting
  • Hometown: Abilene, TX
  • Spouse: Matthew Rimer
  • Children: Jonah (9) and Jude (6)
"I am so thankful and proud to work for this company! I love many things about my job but at the top of the list is the people I work with throughout the company. I continually learn new things and have been given many opportunities."


Jaime Reyes - Cleburne

  • Job Title: Senior Teller
  • Years of employment: 3
  • Hometown: Midlothian, TX
"Working for First Financial Bank has been an amazing experience. I am grateful for the opportunities that this company has given me. I am blessed to have the mentors I have in the Cleburne Region. They always guide me in the right direction. First Financial Bank has not only given me the opportunity to serve our customers and teammates, it has given me the opportunity to build relationships that will last a lifetime."


Juanita Villalobos - Hereford

  • Job Title: Lending Assistant I
  • Years of employment: 2
  • Highest Level of Education: High School/ Billing Insurance Certificate
  • Hometown: Born in Amarillo, TX, raised in Hereford, TX
  • Spouse: Jose de Jesus Villalobos
  • Children: Aracely (19) and Adan (16)
"There are several things I like about First Financial, but the one thing I love about First Financial is that I feel appreciated and my work is always recognized."

Lauren Schulze - Conroe

  • Job Title: Retail Supervisor
  • Years of employment: 8
  • Highest Level of Education: Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University
  • Hometown: Conroe, TX
  • Spouse: Russell Schulze
  • Children: Maverick (4) & Charlotte (10 months)
"I love the relationships I have made along the way with customers and employees. I have made lifelong friends while working here that I know would be there for me whenever I need them and vice versa."

Meagan Mathis - Eastland

  • Job Title: Lending Assistant I
  • Years of Employment: 4
  • Highest Level of Education: Some college, currently working on going back
  • Hometown: Ranger, TX
  • Spouse: Billy Mathis
  • Children: Leland (9)
"I love working at First Financial because of how well they treat their employees, like we are one BIG family. We strive for excellence daily and that’s what makes us stand out to customers and our competitors. When people ask where I work, I proudly respond with 'First Financial Bank.'"

Melanie Motley - Bryan/ College Station

  • Job Title: Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending
  • Years of employment: 13
  • Highest Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree
  • Hometown: College Station, TX
  • Spouse: Ed Motley
  • Children: Kate, Josch and his wife, Claire
"What I love about working at First Financial is the people that I get to work with, the First Financial commitment to excellence and the opportunity the bank provides me to serve my customers and the community."

Rebecca Bartolomeo - Southlake

  • Job Title: Retail Banker
  • Years of employment: 6
  • Hometown: Justin, TX
  • Spouse: John
  • Children: Jack (13) and Sophia (10)
"I love working for First Financial Bank because of the true community feel that we have with both our customers and coworkers."


Savanna Newby - Stephenville

  • Job Title: Senior Commercial Teller
  • Years of Employment: 4
  • Highest Level of Education: Junior College
  • Hometown: Eastland, TX
  • Spouse: Chris Newby
"I love the relationships that I get to build on a daily basis with my customers. They have become family to me, and I wake up every morning excited to come to work so I can visit with them and help them with their banking needs. I enjoy being able to work for the same company as my Mom, Tammy Collins, and getting to share the same amazing experiences with her that the company provides. Also, I love the family atmosphere between employees and customers. First Financial truly is an outstanding place to work for and I look forward to seeing what my future holds."



Shavelle Jordan - Bank Shared Services: Treasury Management

  • Job Title: Treasury Management Onboarding Supervisor
  • Years of employment: 4
  • Highest Level of Education: High School Diploma and currently taking advantage of the Tuition Reimbursement program to earn my Bachelors in Business Finance  
  • Hometown: Abilene, TX
  • Children: Mya (18) and  Ayden (8)
"I love the opportunities that First Financial has given me to learn and grow in this organization. I started in our Customer Service Phone Center and was very proud to bring all that I had learned to Treasury Management where I continue to learn something new every day."


Stella Clark - Sweetwater

  • Job Title: Commercial Teller Supervisor
  • Years of employment: 3.5
  • Highest Level of Education: High School
  • City you are from: Bronte, TX
  • Spouse: Norman Dale Clark
  • Children: Everick James, Joe Edward, and Prescilla Desiree
"I feel that First Financial is a wonderful place to work because it is family oriented. You can advance as far as you want, as long as you are willing to put in the work. I enjoy waiting on our customers. The people I work with are pretty awesome, too. Everyone gets along and works well together. I would like to say thank you for the opportunity that First Financial has given me."


Steven Brown - First Technology Services

  • Job Title: Network Administrator II
  • Years of employment: 3
  • Highest Level of Education: Texas state Technical College (TSTC) Associate of Applied Science in Computer Networking & Systems Administration
  • Hometown: Abilene, TX
  • Children: Two Cats If that counts!
"Every day provides Us with Opportunity! Some to Learn and some to Adapt. And Each to Cooperate and Improve on what we do as a Team."


Thekla Clemons - First Financial Trust

  • Job Title: Accounting Clerk I
  • Years with First Financial: 1
  • Highest Level of Education: Some College
  • Hometown: Childress, TX
  • Children: Joshua Clemons and Abigail Ghant
"What I love about working at First Financial Trust is the family atmosphere.  I love how we work as a team to give our customers the best service.  I appreciate working for a company that promotes and recognize excellence in its employees."


Traci Messner - Fort Worth

  • Job Title: Personal Banker II
  • Years of employment: 2
  • Highest Level of Education: Some College 
  • Hometown: San Antonio, TX
  • Spouse: Noah Stotler
  • Children: Emma Jane Stotler
"When I reflect on why I enjoy working at First Financial Bank I think about Non-Negotiable # 10 we are empowered and compelled to fulfill our customer’s needs. Over the last two years I have witnessed how First Financial Bank trust that I will make the best decision for the client. I am empowered to provide individual service as I deem appropriate. This simple act allows our customers to feel like each day we have gone above and beyond to serve their needs. I began my career here as a teller and voiced my desire to grow and learn from my co-workers and leaders.  Each day I have felt lead and appreciated to provide superior customer service to both my external and internal clients. Our team is committed to the 21 Non-Negotiable. I truly feel the love and support from First Financial Bank, this is not the normality of a “job”, however it is normality of a career and a family."


Tricia Patlan - Mortgage

  • Job Title: Vice President, Mortgage Operations Supervisor
  • Years of Employment: 22
  • Hometown: Abilene, TX
  • Spouse: Roman Patlan
  • Children: Kobe (22) and Kiley (20)
"What I love about working at First Financial Bank would have to be my amazing work family.  These ladies go above and beyond each day to help our borrowers achieve home ownership.  It is a rewarding opportunity to be able to help out so many people in our community and the surrounding areas we service."


Violet Watson - Bank Shared Services: Marketing

  • Job Title: Digital Marketing Specialist
  • Years with First Financial: 2
  • Highest Level of Education: Bachelors from Texas Tech University
  • Hometown: Lubbock, TX
  • Partner: Ash Griggs
  • Children: Two dogs -  Emmett and Cleo
"There is something so special about being a First Financial Banker. Our employees are a caring and lively, but also provide an unmatched level of professionalism. It really is the best of both worlds! I am thankful to be part of an organization that empowers employees to build upon their successes and create their own way forward."


Vivian Vinson - Bankshares

  • Job Title: Assistant Vice President, Operations
  • Years of employment: 32
  • Highest Level of Education: 4 years of college
  • Hometown: Clyde, TX
"I like puzzles. I like figuring out why something is out of balance, how it interfaced, what went with it, does it affect the customer, or will it help someone recover their outage."