On KRLD’s CEO Spotlight with David Johnson, Chairman and CEO Sam L. Susser shared his perspective on recent market activity, community investment and what it takes to build an institution that lasts.
Reflecting on the transformation taking place in South Dallas, he pointed to the redevelopment surrounding Halperin Park as a powerful example of what thoughtful investment can achieve. Having recently visited the park, Susser called it “just stunning” and said it fills him with hope for the future of the community. He described the investment as a catalyst for positive change, one that will elevate quality of life, encourage further economic activity and help Dallas continue its rise as one of the top cities in the world.
The conversation turned to Susser Bank’s future. As Texas continues to grow, our focus remains unchanged: building a bank designed to serve clients, businesses and communities for the next 100 years. Decisions are made here in Texas by Texans who understand the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face because we have lived them ourselves.
129 leaders from across Susser Bank and three members of our Board came together for our third Quarterly Business Review to discuss where we’ve been, where we’re headed and how we can continue helping our clients, businesses and communities thrive.
Carl Cravens, President and Chief Banking Officer, opened the meeting with a simple but powerful message: performance begins with perspective. Drawing on the importance of attitude and shared purpose, he challenged the team to stay aligned around what matters most. That theme came to life in a memorable kickoff as every team member in the room quite literally rowed together, reflecting the belief that our greatest achievements come when we move forward with unity and intention.
We were pleased to welcome Brooks Igo, Publisher of The Texas Lawbook, and proud to recognize team members whose “above and beyond” contributions make our organization stronger, including Jamie Copen, Vice President, Application Operations, William Ellert, Senior Vice President, Credit Manager and Araceli Lozano, Senior Vice President, Loan Originations.
The conversations, insights and connections shared over these two days reinforced a simple truth: when talented people come together around a shared purpose, they create better outcomes for clients, stronger communities and a more enduring organization.
We recently welcomed the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas Young Professionals group to our Dallas office.
Co-chaired by Sam E. Susser and Hayley Bardos, the event brought together young professionals from across Dallas for an evening of conversation, connection and community, with remarks from Jewish Federation CEO Robert French.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening a success.
Susser Bank has provided financing for the redevelopment of the former City Inn & Suites property adjacent to Dallas’ Halperin Park, supporting a project that will provide critical community parking and improve access to one of the area’s growing assets.
Demolition of the hotel at 223 S. Ewing Avenue began August 13, clearing the way for Henley Capital to redevelop the site. Susser Bank worked closely with Henley Capital to understand the immediate needs as well as the broader impact the project could have on the surrounding neighborhood.
The financing reflects Susser Bank’s commitment to supporting projects that strengthen Texas communities through thoughtful redevelopment, infrastructure improvements and economic investment. By partnering with experienced developers and local stakeholders, the bank continues to provide capital solutions that create lasting value beyond the transaction itself.
“At first glance, this may look like a demolition project. It may look like a parking project. But everyone involved understands it’s about much more than that,” said Sam L. Susser, Chairman of Susser Bank. “It’s about creating access to Halperin Park, a remarkable community asset. It’s about supporting continued investment in this neighborhood. And it’s about laying the foundation for a vibrant future around Halperin Park.”
Ben Ray, Vice President and Relationship Manager at Susser Bank, worked closely with Henley Capital to structure and complete the financing. The project reflects Susser Bank’s relationship-driven approach to commercial banking and its focus on financing opportunities that can contribute to the long-term economic strength of the communities it serves.
Halperin Park has generated a significant increase in activity in the surrounding area since it opened, creating an immediate need for additional parking with safer access. Families currently must cross Ewing Avenue, where traffic coming off I-35E travels along the roadway adjacent to the park, creating significant pedestrian-safety concerns.
The redevelopment of the property is intended to address this need while serving as the first step in Henley Capital’s broader redevelopment strategy for the surrounding area. Henley Capital plans to ultimately develop the acreage into a mixed-use community incorporating multifamily housing, retail and other uses. The project is expected to take three to four months to clear the site and create the onsite parking.
“This project addresses an immediate need for safer, more convenient access to Halperin Park, while also creating an opportunity to invest in the future of the surrounding area,” said Hudson Henley, founder and developer of Henley Capital. “We are grateful for Susser Bank’s trust in us and their support of our vision. We are excited to take this first step in ultimately bringing new housing, retail and other uses that complement the park and add long term value to the neighborhood.”
Representatives from Henley Capital and Susser Bank joined Dallas City Councilmembers Chad West and Maxie Johnson to mark the beginning of the redevelopment in a ceremony at the site.
Congratulations to Mark Metcalfe, Executive Vice President and Central Texas President, on his appointment to the 2026–2027 Texas Bankers Association Board of Directors.
This appointment reflects not only Mark’s contributions to our profession, but also his commitment to strengthening the communities and businesses we serve. As banking continues to evolve, leaders like Mark help ensure our industry remains focused on innovation, economic growth and lasting relationships.
Thank you, Mark, for your leadership, dedication and service to Susser Bank, our clients and communities across Texas.
We’re proud to support future homeowners at The Reserve at Huntsville, a new community from Paul Hayden Developments featuring 140 single-family homes across 34 acres.
Developments like these create more than new homes; they create opportunities for families to put down roots, build lasting connections and invest in their future.
Whether purchasing a first home, a forever home or something in between, Susser Bank Mortgage is proud to be a trusted financing partner every step of the way.
William Griffin, Executive Vice President and Houston President, recently joined KHOU 11 alongside Lemonade Day Houston, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and two young entrepreneurs to highlight how programs like Lemonade Day help young people experience the fundamentals of building something of their own: setting goals, making decisions, managing money and learning from the process.
At Susser Bank, we know firsthand that entrepreneurs drive communities forward. As the new Premier Partner of Lemonade Day Houston, we are proud to help the next generation develop the confidence, skills and mindset to turn ideas into action. Because investing in young people today is an investment in the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who will shape our communities tomorrow.
Susser Bank was proud to support the Genesis Annual Luncheon as Print Sponsor, standing alongside advocates, business leaders and community partners dedicated to advancing the mission of Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support.
For more than 40 years, Genesis has provided safety, shelter and critical resources for women and children experiencing domestic violence across North Texas. Their work reflects the strength of a community committed to creating security, stability and opportunity for those who need it most.
We are especially proud of our own Effie Dennison, who serves as Event Chair for the upcoming First Ladies’ Bruncheon, where Susser Bank is honored to serve as Presenting Sponsor. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Genesis and supporting their ongoing impact throughout our region.
Being named Arlington Today’s 2026 All Star Winner for Best Bank is an honor, and we’re grateful to the Arlington community for this recognition.
Every day, we have the privilege of working alongside entrepreneurs, business owners, families and community leaders who are investing in the future of Texas. Our responsibility is to help them succeed.
In this month’s Arlington Today All Star issue, our President and Chief Banking Officer, Carl Cravens, shares a belief that has shaped Susser Bank since the beginning: banking is about more than transactions. It’s about building lasting relationships, supporting local businesses, strengthening communities and creating opportunities that endure.
We’ll continue showing up with that commitment every day. Thank you for your trust.
Austin Wills has joined Susser Bank as Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager on its Technology Banking team. Based in the bank’s Austin office, Wills will partner with technology and technology-enabled companies across Texas and throughout the United States, supporting clients through tailored financial solutions designed to enable growth, liquidity management and long-term scalability.
Susser Bank’s Technology Banking team serves venture-backed and founder-led businesses across B2B SaaS, fintech, marketplaces, and other high-growth technology sectors. The platform is designed for companies with strong recurring revenue models and disciplined financial performance, providing flexible capital solutions that align with evolving growth needs.
“Austin brings more than a decade of experience and a strong understanding of how high-growth technology companies think about capital and scale,” said Mark Metcalfe, Executive Vice President and Central Texas President of Susser Bank. “He shares our relationship-driven approach and our focus on building long-term partnerships with sponsors, founders and leadership teams. His experience will further strengthen our ability to serve innovative companies across Texas and nationally.”
Prior to joining Susser Bank, Wills held roles in technology banking, commercial real estate banking, and advisory-focused positions across growth markets, where he worked with companies navigating expansion, capital raises and operational scaling.
Wills earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from Texas Christian University’s M.J. Neeley School of Business, with a minor in Energy Technology and Management.
He is active in the Austin community and serves on the advisory boards of The Muny Conservancy and CASA of Travis County.
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