Argent Trust Announces Formation of Argent Timberland Group

MEDIA RELEASE

Birmingham, Alabama, October 3, 2016 – Kyle McDonald, Chairman of Argent Trust Company, announced today the launch of Argent Timberland Group. Argent Timberland Group is a new service offering for institutions, high net worth individuals and family offices. Argent has hired timberland investment management industry veterans, Jim Webb, RF and Michael Shearer, CF to lead this group.

Shearer and Webb each bring unmatched experience in forest products and timberland investment management to Argent. This group will focus on locating and acquiring timberland assets which meet client investors’ needs, managing those assets cost-effectively and providing outstanding client service. Argent Timberland will be supported by the full staff of Argent Trust Company and its parent, Argent Financial Group, for accounting, auditing, fiduciary controls, compliance, and legal support.

“As a firm, we seek to provide a full range of solutions for our clients and to capitalize on opportunities that strengthen our offerings,” said McDonald. “This group well understands the critical decision points in managing timberland assets and will actively apply their understanding on behalf of our clients. Given this combination of strengths, Argent Timberland Group should produce successful results for our clients.”

Webb and Shearer were formerly Director of Business Development and Director of Portfolio Management, respectively, at RMK Timberland Group, its predecessor and successor. For a decade, Ken Alderman, now President of Argent Trust Company, managed that group.

“I am very pleased to rejoin Michael and Jim, two of the most respected experts in the timberland management industry.” said Alderman. “We have an exciting opportunity to serve the investment management needs of clients interested in timberland investments. This has been a successful service offering for other firms I have managed and I feel strongly that Argent provides the perfect platform to provide clients the best possible timberland investment management advice and service.”

CONTACT:

Jim Webb
jwebb@argenttimber.com
336.817.7324

Michael Shearer
mshearer@argenttimber.com
270.404.0435

About Argent Financial Group


Argent Financial Group, Inc. was formed in 1990 and traces its roots back to 1930. Responsible for more than $13.5 billion in client assets, Argent Financial Group is a diversified wealth management entity providing individuals and businesses in the Southern U.S. with a broad range of services including trust administration and related services, investment management, retirement plan and charitable organization administration, mineral (oil and gas) management and financial, retirement and estate planning. For more information, visit www.argentcares.com.