First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc.

Larry Brandt has been with First Federal since May 1973, and has served in various management positions. His main responsibility is to successfully lead the Bank to achieve its vision, accomplish its mission, and implement the business plan. He is an honor graduate from both Harrison High School and Arkansas Tech University; he also received a Master’s degree from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, and is an alumnus of both the Savings and Loan Graduate School at Indiana University and the U.S. Army War College. He has been very active in local, state, and national organizations and is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. Brandt is also a Deacon at First Baptist Church and has done extensive mission work with the church. He and his wife Cathy have two sons, Dr. Jason Brandt and Jeff Brandt, and five grandchildren.

Sherri Billings is responsible for supervising the accounting and records management departments of First Federal and directing financial planning, budgeting, reporting, accounting practices, and recordkeeping. She began her career with the Bank in May 1978, and has held various positions during her tenure, including Treasurer and Senior Vice President. Billings is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of Harrison High School and the University of Central Arkansas. She and her husband Mark attend First Christian Church, along with their two daughters, Addi, who works as a Marketing Assistant at First Federal, and Emily, a graduating senior at Harrison High School.

Mr. Conner is currently employed as Vice President – Finance and Accounting and Chief Financial Officer of FedEx Freight East, formerly American Freightways, Inc. located in Harrison, Arkansas. Mr. Conner currently serves on P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., (a trucking company headquartered in Tontitown, Arkansas) board of directors and audit committee. Mr. Conner was previously employed by American Freightways and previously served for thirteen years in various capacities with McKesson Service Merchandise. Mr. Conner is a certified public accountant and served seven years in public accounting with Peat, Marwick and Mitchell prior to joining McKesson.

Jeff Brandt is a fourth generation banker – his great-grandfather, Frank L. Coffman, Sr., was one of the original founders of the Bank in 1934. Brandt has served in a variety of capacities at First Federal since becoming a part-time Team Member in 1989, including appraiser, loan officer, and branch manager. He became full-time in May 1993. In his current role, he oversees nine offices in four counties. Also following family tradition, Brandt served with the U.S. Army Reserve from 1993 to 2004, and was awarded a Bronze Star for outstanding performance during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His father retired as an Army colonel, and his two grandfathers served in World War II. Brandt is a Distinguished Highest Honor graduate of Harrison High School, a graduate of the University of Arkansas, and a state-certified appraiser. In 2007, he was named to the Arkansas Business state-wide 40 Under 40 list. A former Eagle Scout, he volunteers with the Ozark District Boy Scouts and has served as District Chairman. He and his wife, Wendi, enjoy three children, Grace, Ella, and J. Henry. They are members of First Baptist Church of Harrison.