Glen E.Ellman
Veronica Watkins became new chief financial officer of Worthington National Bank in December, stepping in for Les Schuler, who retired after 46 years in banking. Watkins will oversee Worthington’s accounting, finance, operations, compliance, and human resources departments.
“Veronica grew up in banking, and that history is perfectly tailored for the CFO position,” Greg Morse, Worthington’s CEO, said. “She has big boots to fill, but I am confident she will do so flawlessly.”
Watkins was formerly CFO of Affiliated Bank, N.A., in Arlington and Liberty Bank in Hurst. She began her career in banking in 1988 at Texas Commerce Bank in Houston as consumer loan reconciliation clerk. She embarked on her career while attending the University of Houston and ultimately earning her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Watkins arrived in Fort Worth in 2005. She has served on the board of the Tarrant County Bankers Association and was president in 2015. She is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs, Fort Worth CPAs, and Financial Managers Society.
“I look forward to being part of the executive team on one of the few locally -owned community banks in Tarrant County,” Watkins said. “I hope to contribute to Worthington’s legacy as a successful and respected financial institution.”
Brandon Hayes joins JTaylor tax division
Brandon Hayes, a specialist in state and local tax consulting, has joined JTaylor as a senior manager.
Hayes adds to JTaylor’s expertise in the tax arena by providing clients with strategic transaction tax consulting, including discretionary credits and incentives, audit defense, and refund recovery services to ensure clients are not overburdened by state and local tax obligations.
Hayes brings 20 years of proven experience assisting clients in a variety of industries, including oil and gas upstream, midstream and downstream operations, power generation, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, retail and grocery. He has helped recover millions of overpaid sales and use tax dollars in multiple states.
He most recently worked at a Big 4 accounting firm as senior manager in the Dallas office. During his tenure, he served on the senior manager advisory group and was recognized as recipient of the Multi-state Tax Services Marketplace Award and 2020 Outstanding Service Award. Hayes also has served as a frequent speaker and trainer helping students, businesses and other professional organizations understand and navigate the complexities of multi-state sales tax.
Hayes graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and is a Certified Member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation.
Hayes has given back to his community by volunteering with Mi Escuelita Preschool of Cockrell Hill and Apollo Support and Rescue no-kill shelter for abused and neglected dogs. He also has served as a mentor to first-generation college students as part of the North Texas PGA Fairway to Success program.
Got a personnel move you'd like to submit to On the Moove? Please email it to Scott Nishimura, executive editor, and include a large hi-res photo.