ATLANTA, GEORGIA (January 8, 2016) – Argent Financial Group and its subsidiary Argent Trust Company are pleased to announce Maureen S. Cosgrove and Mark Shorthouse have been promoted to Senior Vice President and Micher Christophe was promoted to Vice President. Argent Trust’s Board of Directors recently took this action at the recommendation of a Director and Manager of the ESOP team, David Williams.
In her role, Maureen will continue to manage complex ESOP relationships and major trust clients for Argent Trust. Cosgrove has over 30 years of experience in the valuation industry serving the needs of clients across the nation. Most recently Cosgrove served as Managing Director of ESOP Advisory Services at a major accounting firm. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Central Connecticut State University and is an Accredited Senior Appraiser by American Society of Appraisers.
In his role, Mark will also manage complex ESOP relationships and major trust clients for Argent Trust. Shorthouse has over 15 years of experience in the investment banking and valuation industries, serving the needs of private and public clients across the nation. Shorthouse holds a Bachelor of Science Industrial Engineering Degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Both Cosgrove and Shorthouse joined Argent Trust in early 2015.
Micher, promoted to Vice President after serving as Assistant Vice President – Fiduciary Administration, will serve as an account manager and work closely with Argent Trust’s relationship managers to serve ESOP relationships and major trust clients. With more than 15 years in the retirement services industry, her career includes prior employee benefits and recordkeeping experience with Benefits Services Corporation. Micher is a member of the civic/volunteer organization of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has a bachelor of business administration from Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA.
“We have experienced a great deal of growth since we joined Argent Trust a little over a year ago. Our growth has created a need to increase the responsibility for some of our staff. Maureen, Mark and Micher have proven to be strong leaders and decision makers for our ESOP team and deserve the appropriate recognition,” says Williams.
“Argent Trust is committed to employing highly qualified professionals who are willing to go to great lengths to understand and serve clients. Maureen, Mark, and Micher have demonstrated these qualities and we are excited to honor them by elevating their roles for our Argent Trust team” said Kyle McDonald, CEO of Argent Financial Group and chairman of Argent Trust Company.
“This team continues to add a great deal to Argent’s success with client-focused service with a reputation unsurpassed in the industry,” added McDonald.
About Argent Financial Group
Argent Financial Group, domiciled in Ruston, Louisiana, was formed in 1990 and traces its roots back to 1930. Responsible for more than $11 billion in client assets, Argent Financial Group provides individuals, institutions and businesses. with a broad range of wealth management services including trust administration and related services, investment management, family office services, retirement plan and charitable organization administration, mineral (oil and gas) rights management, and financial, retirement and estate planning. For more information, visit www.argentcares.com.

From left to right: Maureen S. Cosgrove, Mark Shorthouse, Micher Christophe