Investar Announces Addition to Board of Directors

Investar Announces Addition to Board of Directors

July 27, 2020

Baton Rouge, La. – Julio Melara has been elected to join Investar Bank, National Association’s (“Investar”) Board of Directors. Melara is the President and CEO of Louisiana Business, Inc. which publishes the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, 225 Magazine, inRegister magazine, Daily Report online news, 1012 Industry Report, and other specialty publications. He serves and has served on numerous Boards of Directors, including the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, National Alliance of Area Business Publishers, Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Healing Place Church, and Arts Council of Baton Rouge.

“We are thrilled to welcome Julio to Investar’s Board of Directors. He is an incredible icon in the Baton Rouge community. Not only is he an accomplished businessman and author with many special awards, but he is extremely giving of his time to help local organizations,” said John D’Angelo, President and CEO of Investar. “We look forward to his leadership as we strive to achieve a best in class banking experience for our customers,” continued D’Angelo.

Melara holds numerous award titles and special recognitions for his tireless work over the years. In 2012, he was awarded the annual E.A. “Pete” Goldsby Lifetime Achievement Award which is awarded to the person who has made the greatest overall contribution to the advertising profession, and is the highest personal award presented by the American Advertising Federation. In 2002, he was named Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year by SME. Melara was also named one of America’s top motivational speakers by Selling Power Magazine and was the first recipient of the University of New Orleans’ Early Achievement Award for Distinguished Professional and Civic Accomplishments.

“We continue to enhance Investar’s Board of Directors by adding valuable assets like Julio,” said Suzanne Middleton, Chair of Investar’s Board of Directors. “Investar’s Board and Executive Management Team are committed to achieving outstanding performance while maximizing shareholder value,” continued Middleton.

“I am excited to join Investar Bank’s Board of Directors because I believe it is an excellent company with an extremely talented team in place,” said Julio Melara, President and CEO of Louisiana Business, Inc. “I have been watching Investar since the beginning. The growth and success is amazing to witness, and to now be a part of it gets me even more energized,” continued Melara.

Photo Caption: Julio Melara, President & CEO of Louisiana Business, Inc.

Investar Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: ISTR), parent company of wholly-owned subsidiary Investar Bank, National Association (“Investar”), had total assets of approximately $2.4 billion as of June 30, 2020. Investar is a full-service community bank headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. offering extensive banking products and services for individuals and businesses for nearly 15 years. The Bank has 31 branches serving several markets across South Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. Investar Bank NMLS ID# 481188. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC. To learn more, visit www.InvestarBank.com.