Sue Soileau Brignac Durand

Sue Soileau Brignac Durand is a Washington, Louisiana native. Born July 16, 1953 to Nolan Soileau and Virgie Mae Guilbau, Sue grew up as a farmer’s daughter on her father’s farm raising Hereford bulls as her ongoing 4-H projects during her early years.

Sue attended Washington Elementary School skipping 2 years and entering high school at The Academy of Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau at the early age of 12. Subsequently, she began her college studies at USL at the age of 16 earning a Liberal Arts Degree with a major in Music and Voice at 20 years old. Sue’s mother had given Sue a Steinway Grand Piano at an early age and Sue became an accomplished pianist. The piano remains in Sue’s home to this day occupying a prominent place in her living room.

Upon graduation from USL, Sue and her first husband, Craig Brignac purchased a funeral home in Houma and Sue worked with Craig at the funeral home as well as singing and playing piano at funerals. When Craig purchased a funeral home in Shreveport, Sue became a high school music teacher in Plain Dealing, Louisiana.

Sue’s father, besides being a successful farmer, was also a successful businessman having acquired a majority interest in Washington State Bank, the second oldest state-chartered bank in the State Of Louisiana.

Upon Mr. Soileau’s death, Sue inherited her father’s stock and Sue and Craig moved to Washington to begin their banking careers With Sue becoming a member of the Board Of Directors and Craig becoming Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer. Upon Craig’s death in 2009, Sue became Washington State Bank’s Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, a position she held until her retirement on December 31, 2019. Sue continues her involvement with Washington State Bank and its holding company, Washington State Bancshares, Inc. as Chairman Emerita of both institutions.

During her banking career, Sue became very involved in banking trade associations as well as civic organizations in the communities which her bank served. Sue served on the board of directors at the American Bankers Association Community Bank Council, was a member of the Committee of 100 for Economic Development, Inc., an economic engine for the State of Louisiana, and served on the board of directors at the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation. Locally, Sue was a charter member of One Acadiana serving on its board of directors, was chairman of the St. Landry Parish Economic Development Commission, served on the St. Landry Parish Chamber of Commerce and the Opelousas Rotary Club, and was a member of the Washington Museum and Tourism Commission and Leadership St. Landry. Among her many awards are Rotarian of the Year from the Opelousas Rotary Club; Chamber Business Person of the Year from the St Landry Parish Chamber of Commerce; the Athena Award from Athena International recognizing women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, contribute to their community, and support other women in achieving leadership roles; recognition by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; and the Lafayette Junior League Achievement Laureate Award and Induction into the Business Hall of Fame.

On May 19, 2017, Sue married fellow banker, Paul Durand, President and Chief Executive Officer of St Martin Bank & Trust Company—a marriage of two competing bank presidents! St. Martin Bank was merged into Home Bank in December of 2017 and Paul eventually became a member of the board of directors for Washington State Bank and Washington State Bancshares, Inc, looking after Sue’s interests during her retirement.

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