Argent Expands Its Atlanta Office ESOP Practice and Opens A New Kansas City Office

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Argent Trust Company is pleased to announce the opening of its new Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) practice in Kansas City, expanding the firm's national ESOP practice and reinforcing its commitment to working with companies, their shareholders, and transaction advisors to promote ESOPs and employee ownership.

The Kansas City ESOP practice will operate from Argent Trust's new office at 2405 Grand Blvd., Suite 1035, in Kansas City. Senior Vice President and ESOP specialist Matthew Adams will lead the Kansas City office. He will be joined by Senior Vice President and Fiduciary Consultant John True, who brings many valuable years of U.S. Department of Labor experience, and Vice President and Fiduciary Consultant Ryan Thompson, who contributes significant ERISA and fiduciary governance experience. The Kansas City office strengthens Argent Trust's presence in an active ESOP market while expanding its ability to serve ESOPs throughout the country.

"Argent is investing in the future of employee ownership," said David Williams, Executive Director of the ESOP Group and Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Argent Trust Company. "By expanding our ESOP Group and strengthening our presence in key markets, we're ensuring that ESOP companies have access to the fiduciary support, expertise, and responsiveness they need to have successful ESOPs."

In addition to establishing a presence in Kansas City, Argent Trust has expanded its Atlanta office with the addition of Vice President and Fiduciary Consultant Mark Rutledge, along with Director of Operations and Research Jay Douglass. Both Mark and Jay have years of company valuation experience with both private and public companies, and they will strengthen Argent Trust's valuation expertise to support ESOP clients. All of Argent Trust's ESOP team, the ones in Atlanta and in Kansas City, will work with the guidance of Glenn Gunnels, who is the ESOP Group's Managing Director of Law and Valuation. Glenn is a seasoned veteran at Argent Trust, with years of prior law practice as an ESOP lawyer. In addition to his management role, Glenn will also continue to serve several existing ESOP clients of Argent Trust.

Williams noted the expansion reflects Argent Trust's continued investment in the growth of its ESOP practice.

"The opening of our Kansas City office and the strengthening of our Atlanta team demonstrate Argent Trust's commitment to investing in the expertise, infrastructure, and people necessary to serve ESOP clients at the highest level," said Williams. "Our deeper and more diverse bench of talent means that ESOP clients and advisors can continue to rely on Argent as a trusted ESOP partner for years to come."

Argent Trust provides a comprehensive suite of ESOP services, including general trustee services, transaction trustee services, and ongoing trustee services for the ESOPs of employee-owned companies. The firm's experienced professionals work alongside companies and their stockholders, along with advisors and others to facilitate successful ESOP transactions in order to help provide retirement income to employee participants.

About Argent Financial Group
Argent Financial Group (Argent) is a leading, independent client asset services firm offering individuals, families, businesses, and institutions wealth management, asset management, and asset servicing. The firm is responsible for more than $180 billion in client assets. Formed in 1990 in Ruston, Louisiana, Argent can trace its roots back to 1930. For more information, visit www.ArgentFinancial.com. 

SOURCE Argent Financial Group