about Bruce...

Bruce Maloch was born June 29, 1957, and grew up on the family farm near Emerson, Arkansas, where he still farms. In his early years, Maloch served as state president and national officer of the Future Farmers of America. Later he received a B.B.A. degree in Business Agriculture from Southern Arkansas University and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. While at SAU, Bruce served as president of the Student Government Association and later served as president of the SAU Alumni Association.

Upon graduation from law school, Maloch returned to Columbia County and began practicing law. In 1986, he joined Farmers Bank & Trust Company where he currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and is a member of the bank's board of directors.

Bruce has always been involved in community and governmental affairs. Bruce served ten years on the Columbia County Quorum Court. He has served as president of the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Columbia County Bar Association and the Group 4 Arkansas Bankers Association for Southwest Arkansas. He is a member of the Magnolia Economic Development Corporation and serves on the Magnolia Airport Commission. Maloch is current chairman of the Arkansas FFA Foundation and has long been active in Arkansas Farm Bureau and Arkansas Cattlemen's Association activities. He is an auctioneer and donates his services for charitable events throughout the area. In 1997, Bruce received the Outstanding Young Alumni award from Southern Arkansas University.

Maloch was elected Chairman of the thirty-seven member Freshman Caucus during his first term in the legislature. He was also recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Arkansas Realtors Association and Outstanding Legislator by the Arkansas Municipal League.

Bruce and his wife, Martha, live on a farm south of Magnolia where they raise registered Brangus cattle. Martha is a retired educator from the Emerson-Taylor School District. They have three children, Ryan, Lauren and Victoria, a son-in-law, Scotty Covington and daughter-in-law, Amy. Granddaughter Reese Covington was born on July 4, 2005. The Maloch's are members of First Baptist Church of Magnolia, where Bruce is an adult Sunday school teacher.