Derek Bowman

Derek Bowman serves as a Senior Commercial Banker with Simmons Bank in Northeast Arkansas. Since joining Simmons in 2018, he has advanced through several leadership roles, including Community Banker and Senior Community Banker. In 2022, he was recognized as Simmons Bank’s Community Banker of the Year. 

Before transitioning into banking, Derek spent more than a decade in higher education advancement at Arkansas State University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Throughout his fundraising career, he served in roles including Corporate Giving Director, Athletics Development Officer, and Director of Principal Gifts, where he provided portfolio management and strategic fundraising leadership in support of university priorities. 

A former Arkansas State University student-athlete, Derek earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration from Arkansas State. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, the Leadership Jonesboro program, and Simmons Bank’s NextGen Leadership program. 

Derek is deeply committed to serving his community. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Craighead Nursing Center and as Chairman of the St. Bernards Triple Swing. He is also a board member of St. Bernards Advocates and serves on the City of Jonesboro Land Bank Commission. In addition, he contributes to several planning committees that support fundraising efforts for Arkansas State Athletics and local nonprofit organizations.