Page 59 - 2024 Community Profile

CHAMBER

Citizen of the Year Award

Williamson Named Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year

Although his name is synonymous with community programs and charitable
service throughout the area, the 2023 organizations. That legacy continues
Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year prefers today, as Citizens employees can routinely
to keep his accomplishments and acts of be found coaching youth sports, grilling at
giving out of the spotlight. school events, serving in church ministries,
Jim Williamson and his wife, Carole, and more. Such efforts have rightly
moved to Van Buren in 1988 when Jim was established Citizen’s reputation as a leader
part of an investor group that purchased in corporate citizenship.
Citizens Bank & Trust Company. He Williamson continues to serve as the
took over as the organization’s CEO bank’s Chairman of the Board and is also
and began a long tenure in the region’s involved with numerous philanthropic
banking industry. In his capacity as CEO, endeavors. Together with his wife, the
Williamson became a driving force for couple co-sponsors the annual Van Buren
community support for schools and area Fourth of July fireworks display. They
non-profits. Although he retired from his have also funded projects such as the
role in 2014, one of Williamson’s most repair of the Van Buren Public Library’s
valuable contributions lives on in the marquee and helped in purchasing the
culture he created at Citizens Bank. There downtown property for Arts on Main. Jim Williamson receives the Iverson Riggs Citizen
he encouraged and supported employees The Williamsons also endow a scholarship of the Year Award presented by Rusty Myers at the
to be actively engaged in causes and to through the University of Arkansas - Fort Annual Meeting. Photo courtesy of The Chamber.
contribute their time and talents to benefit Smith (UAFS) to help students complete

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vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2024 Directory 59