Doyle R. Adams is a native of Benton, LA and a 1981 honor graduate of Benton High School. He was an all-star athlete in both football and basketball at Benton and went on to play football at the collegiate level at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance in 1985.
At Tech, Doyle was a two-time All-Conference defensive back and honorable mention All-American who was named Team Captain and the recipient of the university’s President Award. Additionally, he was named to the Southland Conference All-Decade Team for the 1980’s. He still holds the school record for most interceptions in a career and in 2001 was named to the Louisiana Tech All-Century Team, and in 2018 was honored as one of the 50 greatest players to ever play for Tech in Joe Aillet Stadium.
He spent 17 years in the Banking Industry, last working as Vice President in the Business Banking lending area for what is now known as Regions Bank in Shreveport, LA. Doyle managed the bank’s nonprofit and church commercial loan portfolio for the Shreveport/Bossier market, financing and overseeing several new church construction projects. He also financed and handled the banking needs of many small business owners in this market sector and was instrumental in growing this diverse portfolio from $9 million in loans outstanding to over $28 million before transitioning into a full-time ministry role as Pastor and Business Administrator for the Elizabeth Baptist Church (EBC) in Benton, LA, where he has served the past 36 years. During his tenure at EBC, the church has grown in membership from 65 to over 500 today.
He has been actively involved in the community by serving on the Board of Directors for several nonprofit organizations. Currently he serves on the board of directors for the following organizations: Shreveport/Bossier Sports Commission (Current Chairman); Carter Federal Credit Union; State Fair of Louisiana; Louisiana Tech Foundation; Shreveport/Bossier Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast (Past Chairman); The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Past President).
On a historical note, Doyle served as the first African-American President of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce in 2007. Previous board assignments included the Benton MPC Board of Appeals (President); Red River Revel Arts Festival; Bossier Council on Aging (Treasurer); Junior Achievement; Better Business Bureau (Past Chairman); David Raines Community Health Center (Treasurer); Crimestoppers of Shreveport (Treasurer).
He is married to Mararia Kirk Adams and they have three adult children; Tonya Hamilton, Sondra Adams and Doyle Adams, Jr.
