Hancock Holding CEO Carl Chaney To Retire; Hairston Named President & CEO

(RTTNews) - Hancock Holding Co.'s (HBHC) board have accepted the retirement and resignation of President and CEO Carl Chaney. Further, the board has named John Hairston, current CEO and Chief Operating Officer, to the role of President and CEO. Hairston was named the company's Chief Executive in 2006 and then CEO and Chief Operating Officer in 2008. He served as EVP and Chief Operations Officer from 1994 to 2006.

To continue streamlining its processes and organization, and achieve its efficiency goals, the firm would operate with a single CEO going forward. Additionally, Shane Loper would assume the role of Chief Operating Officer from John Hairston. At present, Loper is the company's Chief Administrative Officer and is a 23-year veteran of Hancock. He has served in multiple executive capacities, including leading the company's recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, completing various merger integrations, and the more recently published success in leading CV-5950, the company's expense and efficiency initiative.

Joseph Exnicios would assume the role of Whitney Bank President from Carl Chaney. Exnicios joined Whitney National Bank in 1978, and previously served as that organization's Chief Risk Officer and as an executive in the Commercial and Corporate Banking line of business.

Michael Achary would continue as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, a role he has held since 2007. Achary joined Hancock in 2000.