Guaranty Bank Appoints Diédre Barret as EVP, Chief Experience Officer
BELZONI, MS – Hue Townsend, CEO of Guaranty Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Diédre Barret as Executive Vice President, Chief Experience Officer (CXO), a role that will lead the bank’s strategy for delivering a consistent, service‑first experience for clients, employees, and communities.
Barret, a 23-year veteran of Guaranty Bank, is widely recognized as a dynamic, people-centered leader who has helped redefine what it means to be a primary financial partner. She brings together innovation, technology, communication, and genuine human connection to ensure banking remains both personal and impactful.
“Diédre has an extraordinary ability to see the big picture while staying deeply committed to local impact,” said CEO, Hue Townsend. “Her leadership strengthens our identity as a trusted community bank while pushing us forward with fresh ideas, sharper execution, and a unified vision for how we serve.”
In her new role as Chief Experience Officer, Barret will guide the work, defining, coaching and executing a consistent service first experience across all Guaranty Bank locations. Her focus will be on moving beyond transactions to ensure teams show up every day as trusted advisors, building relationships, solving problems, and delivering on the bank’s mission to help people and communities prosper.
Barret is known for cultivating an environment where ideas thrive and people achieve their best. She is a fierce advocate for the power of community banking, believing that strong relationships and tailored solutions are essential to long‑term community success.
“This structure strengthens accountability, sharpens execution, and supports our vision while maintaining who we are at our core,” Barret said. “I’m honored to lead this work and excited for what it means for our clients, our teams, and the communities we serve.”
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Barret remains deeply rooted in Belzoni, Mississippi, home to Guaranty Bank’s flagship office. She and her husband, Spencer, are the proud parents of three children, and she is also a proud “Honey” to three grandchildren.
About Guaranty Bank:
Founded in 1943, Guaranty Bank is a privately held financial institution serving individuals, businesses, and communities across Mississippi and Tennessee. With 38 locations and a full range of consumer, commercial, mortgage, and wealth services, Guaranty Bank combines the strength of a modern financial partner with the personal relationships of a community bank. As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), the bank is deeply committed to expanding access to financial services and supporting economic growth in the communities it serves.
For more information about Guaranty Bank, please visit gbtonline.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Media Contact: Mary Ashley O’Reilly at maryashley@gbtonline.com.