Tra Alford New Community Development Director

Tracy “Tra” Alford has been promoted to the position of Community Development Director at Citizens National Bank.

With a Master's of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University to his credit, Alford also received his undergraduate degree from MSU in Business Management, and graduated magna cum laude.

He has been employed with the Bank for the past nine years, and served in a variety of positions, such as a Customer Care Specialist, and in the Bank's Operations Center - first as a Booking and Funding Specialist, and later as a Consumer Collector/Underwriter Specialist.  Most recently he has served as a Credit Analyst in the Bank's Credit Administration Department.

According to Archie McDonnell, CEO of Citizens National Bank, the role of a Community Development Director is a newly created position at the Bank.  "One of the Bank's highest priorities is to reach out to the communities that we serve, and serve as a catalyst for the financial success of our local citizens.  For example, we believe it's very important to provide specialized expertise to both individuals and entities that need direction in starting a new business or expanding an existing business.  We also want to ensure that our local citizens - everyone from our children to senior citizens are provided with as much financial education as possible," he added.

As Alford assumes this position, he will gradually transition into the role of the Bank’s CRA Officer over time.  Scott Sills, Chief Marketing Officer, currently serves as the CRA Officer of the Bank.  The Community Reinvestment Act is a federal regulation which is designed to ensure that banks are meeting the needs of customers in all segments of the communities that they serve, including low to moderate income neighborhoods. 

Originally from Newton, Miss., Alford serves on the Board of Trustees of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Lawrence, MS, as well as the Finance Committee of Freedom Rock Christian Fellowship Church in Meridian. He is also actively involved as a member of the 2016-2017 class of Leadership Lauderdale.  In addition, he is the proud father of two sons, Damion and Trey.

Citizens National Bank is an independent, Mississippi-owned community bank with $1.3 billion in assets and manages an additional $920 million through its Wealth Management Division.

The Bank has been in continuous operation since 1888, and has 26 bank locations throughout the state of Mississippi in Meridian, Columbus, Macon, Olive Branch, Southaven, Kosciusko, Philadelphia, Quitman, Ridgeland, Madison, Flowood, Hattiesburg, Laurel, and Waynesboro.