Whispers

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Help Wanted

You may have heard that Gan« Crawford resigned as president and CEO of First National Bankot Crossett back in June to return to his hometown and run the trust department of Citizens Bank of Batesville.

If not, you can read more about that on Page 12.

What you may not know is who will be leading FNB of Crossett going forward.

Nobody else does either.

The hunt is on, said Gary Brannon, the chief lending officer who is acting as interim CEO but definitely doesn't want the job permanently.

"I'm 69 years old. I want to go fishing," Brannon told Whispers last week.

First National of Crossett, chartered in 1903, has $145 million in total assets and 41 employees in four offices, all in Ashley County. It earned $1.5 million in 2016 and $1.35 million in 2015.

And the board of directors isn't looking for an acquirer, Brannon said.

"No, no, we're not looking for a sale. We're looking for a president and CEO," he said.

Whoever that turns out to be will have assistance with the transition.

"I'm going to aid and abet him or her until further notice," Brannon said.

Seven-Digit Deals

Farmland in Lonoke County leads the way for a quartet of central Arkansas multimilliondollar deals.

* An affiliate of Farmland Partners Inc. of Denver bought more than 1,400 acres for nearly $5.4 million from AG Partners LLC, led by Joel Whicker and Stephanie Smith.

The land is along Wattensaw Bayou, a mile northwest of the crossroads of Arkansas Highway 236 and Fairview Road.

* JES Dove Ranch LLC, led by Tacy Sundell, purchased an 870-acre spread in northern Faulkner County for $2.6 million. Centered on a 5,870-SF home, the property is about 3 miles northwest of Enola as the crow flies.

Sellers: The namesake revocable trusts of Thomas and Margaret Beasley and their Beasley Farms Inc.

* About 12 miles northwest in Guy, a Dollar General store sold for $1.1 million. MSC Holdings LLC of Hot Springs acquired the project at 359 Hwy. 25N from PB General Holdings (Guy) LLC, led by Leonard Boon.

* Down in Saline County, Tabot LLC, led by Terry Bean, purchased the Access Storage Center at 1705 Hwy....