MACON, MS, December 19, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marcia M. Manning-King has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mrs. King has established a distinguished career in agricultural finance, marked by a steadfast commitment to her clients and community. Her professional journey at BankFirst Financial Services spans more than two decades, reflecting both her expertise and her dedication to the region's agricultural sector.

In 2025, Mrs. King assumed the role of Director of Agriculture Lending after serving as First Vice President for three years at BankFirst Financial Services. In this capacity, she manages an active lending portfolio and oversees a branch portfolio valued at over $70 million, diligently monitoring past-due accounts, modifications, exceptions and delinquencies. She credits much of what she has learned to her mentor, Ron Allen. "He has made me a better lender," she stated. "He taught me to look beyond credit scores, and to see the big picture. Not all loans are good for the customer or the bank."

Her responsibilities include coordinating loan processes with attorneys, appraisers, real estate agents, and state agencies to ensure timely documentation and approvals. She also organizes and tracks a pipeline of approximately 40 potential loans while simultaneously proactively ordering appraisals and title work to prevent delays and avoid past-due renewals. Mrs. King is known for her hands-on approach, working past-due accounts, maintaining regular appreciation and check-in calls with customers, and conducting farm visits to assess property and equipment conditions. "During COVID we did a lot of car hood closings," she joked. However, even then, it was essential to maintain a personal presence.

Mrs. King's expertise extends to researching government programs and initiatives that benefit her clients, particularly in identifying grants and assistance programs to improve cash flow and financial stability. She maintains regular communication with the Farm Service Agency, state loan managers, local agents and Natural Resources Conservation Service offices to stay current on available programs. Meanwhile, she attends agricultural programs, training sessions, and speaker events at institutions such as Mississippi State University, so that she can provide information that benefits her customers. Any given day, Mrs. King may take 40-50 phone calls and meet with 10-12 customers in person as part of a community-banking model that emphasizes personal relationships. She also assists customers with nontraditional financial challenges by connecting them with churches or community groups for support. Her ability to manage unpredictable daily demands while consistently tracking the loan pipeline has earned her a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness.

Before her current position, Mrs. King served as branch manager at BankFirst Financial from 2008 to 2015. During this period, she led a team of over 15 employees while managing all aspects of branch operations. Her leadership was instrumental in fostering a customer-focused environment that prioritized service excellence and operational efficiency.

In 2015, Mrs. King held the roles of Vice President and Commercial Lender at BankFirst Financial Services. Her deep understanding of government-guaranteed financing has been pivotal in supporting farmers across Mississippi and Alabama.

Mrs. King's career began at BankFirst Financial Services after returning to Macon, Mississippi, following five years in Winston County, where she worked in finance and insurance. Starting as a switchboard operator, she quickly advanced due to her financial acumen, moving into loan assistance and customer relations for new accounts, before transitioning into information technology roles within the bank. Her adaptability led her into management positions where she gained valuable experience in pre-closing and underwriting for loans. When an opportunity arose following the retirement of a lender, Mrs. King's extensive background positioned her to step into commercial lending.

Mrs. King's education path was shaped by family responsibilities, which led her to enter the workforce immediately after high school, despite earning scholarships and ranking among the top students in her senior class, earning her positions as a member of the Hall of Fame, Beta Club Secretary/Treasurer and Class Officer. As the eldest of four children, she took on administrative and insurance roles to support her family after her father was injured in logging accidents. She credits her work ethic to her mother, who supported the family after her father's disability. She also credits her grandmother with instilling in her a sense of giving and community service. "These two women taught me all about hard work and giving. My dad taught me to see a setback as an opportunity and never let anything get in my way. Growing up, we didn't have a lot in the way of money, but we always had love. We were always surrounded by family. My family is what kept me going during the difficult times and has been a driving force for all my accomplishments. I just wanted to make them proud," she said.

"After my son was born, I went through a divorce. Being a single mom was hard but my family offered to keep him while I re-entered the work force full-time. At one time, I held three jobs. I worked in finance during the week and cleaned houses and worked at a landscaping nursery. I did whatever it took to make sure my son was taken care of."

Beyond her primary endeavors, Mrs. King has remained involved in industry organizations, including Mississippi Women for Agriculture. For the past several years, she has participated in conventions for young farmers organized by Farm Bureau of Mississippi, sharing knowledge and helping aspiring young farmers to begin their journeys. Mrs. King's civic engagement is extensive. She currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Macon Rotary Club, contributes to organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Ducks Unlimited, and National Turkey Federations. Furthermore, she participates in fundraising efforts, such as the annual golf tournament, which raises money for the Mississippi Children's Hospital through Rotary Club initiatives. She served as secretary of the Central Academy School Board for five years. She helps with the annual fundraiser for the local community golf course, Zach Brooks, and has helped with multiple wedding events for family and friends.

Mrs. King and her husband, Michael, love life on the farm on which he was raised. They are expecting their first grandchild in February of 2026. She hopes at this time to work on a balance between life and work. "This is something I've never done before and some of my biggest regrets are things I missed; games I missed that my son played in, time spent with my mom and grandmother who have since passed on. However, no matter where my life takes me, I still want to maintain a lifelong connection to agriculture. Looking ahead, I hope to gradually step back from my current role while continuing to mentor younger colleagues within this industry. I also hope to partner on a business venture with one of my life-long friends, while still remaining engaged with the bank. I hope to always be in a position where I can offer guidance, particularly to local farmers who may lack financial expertise."

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #