A New Era at Security State Bank: Tish Perez to Helm Ambitious Growth

FREDERICKSBURG, Texas – June 16, 2026 – In a move that signals both a deep respect for its past and a clear-eyed ambition for its future, Security State Bank & Trust (SSB&T) has appointed Tish Perez as its new President and a member of its Board of Directors. The appointment, coinciding with the bank's 85th anniversary, is a historic milestone, making Perez the first woman to hold either of these senior roles in the institution's long history.

While the press release rightly celebrates the breaking of a glass ceiling, a closer look reveals a decision rooted less in symbolism and more in shrewd strategic planning. As the $2.2 billion community bank prepares for a significant expansion into some of Texas’s most competitive markets, it has elevated a leader forged over 27 years within its own walls—a leader tasked with scaling the bank’s legacy without losing its soul.

A Calculated Ascent in a Legacy Institution

Tish Perez’s journey to the presidency is not a story of a sudden rise but of a deliberate, multi-decade ascent through the bank's most critical functions. Her career is a map of the organization's core operations, with leadership tenures as Chief Lending Officer, Regional President, and Branch President. This is not the résumé of an outsider brought in to shake things up, but of an insider who has mastered the machinery she is now charged with running.

In her new role, Perez will have direct oversight of Operations, Marketing, Credit, Treasury Solutions, Lending, and the entire Branch Network. This consolidation of authority under a single, proven leader is a clear strategic play. It centralizes the execution of the bank's growth strategy, ensuring that the critical functions required for market entry and customer acquisition move in lockstep. Chairman and CEO Dan Kemp, who will continue to guide the bank's long-term vision, underscored the strategic nature of the appointment. "Tish has consistently demonstrated the leadership, vision and dedication that define SSB&T," Kemp stated. "Her appointment reflects both her outstanding contributions to SSB&T and our commitment to developing strong leaders who will help guide the future of our organization."

Kemp's statement highlights a key element of SSB&T’s operational strength: its ability to cultivate leadership internally. Perez’s promotion sends a powerful message throughout the organization that deep institutional knowledge and a commitment to the bank's foundational culture are the primary pathways to advancement. For a bank built on relationships, entrusting its future to a leader who has spent nearly three decades building them is the ultimate vote of confidence.

Navigating Growth: From Hill Country Roots to Metro Ambitions

For 85 years, SSB&T has been a fixture of the Texas Hill Country, growing steadily from its origins in Fredericksburg into a formidable regional player with $2.2 billion in assets and 18 locations. Its identity is deeply intertwined with the communities it serves. However, the bank's future ambitions lie beyond its traditional strongholds. The planned expansion into Johnson City, Fort Worth, and Weatherford represents a pivotal moment in the bank’s history.

While the Johnson City expansion signals a deepening of its Hill Country presence, the moves into Fort Worth and Weatherford are a leap into the highly competitive North Texas metroplex. Here, SSB&T will not just be competing with other community banks but with the entire spectrum of regional and national financial giants. This is a high-stakes bet on the bank's ability to export its successful model into a larger, faster-paced, and more crowded market.

This is precisely where Perez’s leadership becomes critical. Executing this expansion requires more than just capital; it demands flawless operational and credit discipline. Having served as Chief Lending Officer, Perez possesses an intimate understanding of the credit risks and opportunities inherent in new markets. Her experience running branch networks and regional operations provides the logistical and managerial expertise needed to establish a physical presence and build a customer base from the ground up. The board has effectively tasked its most seasoned operational veteran with leading the charge into new territory.

The 'That Texan' Identity in an Evolving Market

SSB&T's competitive advantage has long been its brand promise: "We're That Texan." This slogan encapsulates a business model built on local decision-making, deep community ties, and a personalized approach to banking that larger institutions often struggle to replicate. The central challenge of the bank's expansion is whether this high-touch, relationship-driven culture can be successfully scaled and transplanted into the diverse, sprawling environment of North Texas.

This is the tightrope Perez must walk: driving growth while preserving the cultural DNA that has defined the bank for generations. Her long tenure makes her a credible guardian of this legacy. Colleagues describe her as a leader who has consistently championed the bank's relationship-driven culture. In her own words, Perez acknowledged this balance. "I am honored by the trust placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve as President," she said. "SSB&T has a remarkable history of helping Texans reach their financial goals, and I look forward to working alongside our talented employees and leadership team as we continue building on that legacy for future generations."

Her mission is clear: to ensure that as the bank grows, it doesn't just build new branches, but cultivates the same sense of community and trust that has been the bedrock of its success. The future of the "That Texan" identity in markets like Fort Worth will depend on her ability to instill this ethos in new teams and win over a new customer base that has no prior history with the bank.

A Milestone in Texas Finance

Beyond the internal strategy of SSB&T, Perez's appointment to both President and the Board of Directors is a significant event for the Texas financial industry. For an 85-year-old institution to appoint its first woman to these roles is a powerful indicator of a broader shift in corporate governance. In an industry where leadership has traditionally been homogenous, this move signals that diversity at the highest levels is now being viewed as a strategic imperative.

The inclusion of Perez on the board is particularly noteworthy. It ensures that the perspective of the person responsible for day-to-day execution is directly represented in the boardroom where long-term strategy is forged. This alignment between governance and operations is crucial for any organization undertaking a complex growth initiative. It suggests SSB&T is not only modernizing its brand but also its governance structure to compete effectively in the 21st century. With Kemp steering the strategic vision and Perez commanding the operational execution, Security State Bank & Trust has structured its leadership for a new chapter of calculated growth across the Texas landscape.