A Banner Year
By Lena Anthony
For Gene Henson, this year is shaping up to be one for the history books—filled with milestone career moments decades in the making. This fall marks 20 years for Henson as a Tennessee banker and 35 years with Trustmark Bank. And the milestones don’t stop there. Next May, he and his wife, Ann, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary—followed in June by his 50th year in banking.
Installed this summer as the new Board Chairman of the Tennessee Bankers Association—the first in the TBA’s 135-year history to come from a regional bank—Henson sat down with us to reflect on how five decades in the industry have prepared him for this pivotal role.
Drawn to the Industry
Henson’s journey started in 1976, when he was newly married and just beginning his career as a banker in Jackson, Mississippi. He had recently graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in accountancy, but banking captured his interest and became his life’s work.
“Truthfully, I never really fully embraced the idea of going into public accounting,” Henson said. “I loved the relationship side of banking—it felt like a better fit for me. Looking back, it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.”
He spent nearly 15 years at two community banks in Jackson before joining Trustmark in 1990, tasked with setting up and managing its private banking service line and business development efforts. From there, he steadily climbed the career ladder, becoming vice president, then senior vice president in commercial lending, before serving as president of the bank’s largest market.
In 2005, Henson transferred to Memphis to manage Trustmark’s growing Tennessee market.
“Our youngest daughter was in college, our nest was empty, and it seemed like a good time to relocate and take on a fresh challenge,” he said. “Tennessee bankers have been so nice and welcoming to Ann and me since the day we got here.”
One of Henson’s first meetings was with former TBA President Brad Barrett. “After meeting with him, I knew I wanted to get involved immediately,” he said. “My first level of engagement was through the Government Relations Committee. I advocated for Tennessee’s bankers locally and in Washington, D.C. It was a great way to build relationships while learning how policy decisions affect our industry.”
Twenty years later, Henson is still with Trustmark, now serving as regional director of 40-plus locations across Tennessee and northern Mississippi—and is still involved with the TBA, in a role he never could have imagined.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity and unbelievably honored and humbled to be the first TBA chair from a regional bank,” he said. “When I got the call from Colin about serving, the first thing I said was, ‘Are you sure?’”
Banking on Connection
That initial surprise quickly gave way to reflection—on why he’s the right fit for the job and how he plans to serve Tennessee bankers.
“I’ve always tried to focus on bringing out the best in people, matching their strengths to roles where they can grow and succeed,” Henson said. “I enjoy solving problems, assessing issues fully, and bringing folks together to find solutions. Building strong relationships, being a good listener, and mentoring others have all been important parts of my career, and I plan to bring that same approach to this role.”
He’s already learned much about the priorities and challenges facing Tennessee bankers—as well as the tie that binds all members, whether in small community banks or large regional institutions.
“Tennessee bankers care about their communities and give back so much,” he said. “As the industry weathers challenges—from economic uncertainty to evolving regulations to shifting customer expectations—I believe it will be that dedication to community that guides Tennessee banks forward.”
As for his priorities, Henson was clear: “I want to represent our banks effectively, visit as many of them as possible, make sure they know their investment in TBA is worthwhile, and encourage them to take advantage of everything the TBA offers—including our exceptional education programs.”
On the Move
Henson has learned something else since becoming TBA’s board chair: “Ann and I have learned just how big our state is,” he said. “From our home in Memphis, we’ve already traveled to Mountain City in the far northeastern corner to meet with members there. It was absolutely gorgeous and so different from West Tennessee—it showed us the incredible diversity of this state.”
Outside of his commitment to banking, Henson said his family captures most of his free time. That includes road trips to Mississippi to watch their grandson play ball with their older daughter and her husband, as well as flights to Connecticut to see their younger daughter, her husband, and their three children.
“I love to play golf, and there will be time for me to pick up the game again, but for now, we’re so committed to our family and seeing them every chance we get,” he said. “Our goal has always been to make sure we see our grandkids enough so they’re comfortable with us the next time.”
That same devotion to family mirrors his approach to banking, where he sees relationships and trust as the foundation of the work.
“I’ve always felt the relationship component in our industry is the most critical,” he said. “Forming and cultivating those relationships has provided me with the greatest level of enjoyment. Marking so many milestones this year and next, I can’t help but feel blessed. I’ve had a lot of opportunities, worked for great people, and been part of wonderful organizations—including Trustmark, which has been so supportive of me taking on this role for the TBA. After a long career, this truly feels like a pinnacle moment.”