News

We’re proud to announce that Laurie Senn, formerly Director of Loan Operations, Senior Vice President, has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer. In this expanded role, Senn will be responsible for overseeing loan operations, deposit operations, and project management. Senn joined Colony Bank in October 2020. She has more than 20 years of banking experience serving in positions of increasing responsibility, such as, Executive Vice President at Members United Credit Union, CRA...

We’re excited to announce that Bob Goodman has joined the Company as a Mortgage Loan Originator for our Augusta market. Commenting on the announcement, Tom Bird, Regional Market Manager, said, “We are excited to welcome Bob to our mortgage team and look forward to his contributions. His deep knowledge of the local market paired with his passion to deliver excellent customer service will be a great asset to our mortgage customers.” Goodman brings over 30 years of experience in...

We’re excited to announce the addition of Christian Ruppe as Chief Innovation Officer, Senior Vice President. In this newly created position, Christian will utilize his deep industry knowledge to develop and execute a meaningful innovation strategy that aligns with the Company’s strategic initiatives and culture. Commenting on the announcement, Heath Fountain, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “As community banking evolves with the rising role of technology, our focus has...

We’re excited to announce the addition of Kelly Godfrey as Mortgage Loan Originator for our Savannah market. Commenting on the announcement, Preston Laird, Mortgage Market Manager, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Kelly to Colony Bank and look forward to her contributions to our mortgage team. Her extensive banking industry experience will be an excellent complement to our existing capabilities and will allow us to deepen our commitment and service to the Savannah...

We are proud to announce that Jamie Knight, formerly Commercial Banker, Vice President has been promoted to Leesburg Market President. Jamie joined Colony Bank in 2019 and has over 16 years of banking experience, working in both commercial lending and retail bank management. Jamie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Georgia Southern University. As a Lee County native, Jamie remains active in the community through various organizations. He currently serves...

We are excited to announce the addition of Warren Giardina as Central Alabama Market Executive. In this role, Warren will lead our expansion efforts in and around Birmingham while also recruiting new talent for our Corporate Banking Group. “We are excited to continue our strategic expansion in the state with someone who is very well respected in the area and has such a strong network,” commented Mike Washburn, President of Corporate Banking. “I have known Warren for many years...

We are proud to announce that Jeffrey Hester, formerly Commercial Banker, Vice President has been promoted to Cordele Market President, and Amber Herrington, formerly Business Banker, has been promoted to the position of Commercial Banker, Vice President. Commenting on the announcement Bob Evans, Regional President, said, “Over the past five years, Terry Ann Brake and I have been proactive in integrating our succession plan to help prepare Jeffrey and Amber for long-term success in...

Justin Truelove has joined Colony Bank as Director of Healthcare Lending. In this newly created position, Justin will focus on providing unique financing solutions for medical and dental practices during acquisitions, buy-ins, buy-outs, expansions, real estate purchases, renovations, and construction scenarios. Commenting on the announcement, Mike Washburn, President of Corporate Banking, said, “Colony Bank operates in several of the strongest medical markets in Alabama and Georgia....

We are pleased to announce the addition of Steven Bernaski as President of Marine and RV Lending, Senior Vice President. In this new role, Steven will utilize his extensive experience and network to provide specialized marine and recreational vehicle financing solutions for consumers through the indirect lending channel. Commenting on the announcement, Eddie Hoyle, Chief Banking Officer, said, “We are pleased to announce this extension of specialized services, which furthers our...

We are pleased to announce the expansion of our Marketing Department with the addition of Leslie Ehlers as Vice President, Director of Marketing. As an accomplished integrated marketing specialist and graphic designer, Leslie brings almost 22 years of experience in advertising and corporate branding, leading large regional and national efforts as well as founding and running her own boutique creative services firm. She previously served as Director of Marketing for 18 years spearheading...

We’re excited to announce that we have entered the Huntsville market with the addition of Barry Bryan as North Alabama Market Executive and Elizabeth Yanhko as Corporate Banking Administrative Assistant. Commenting on the announcement, Mike Washburn, President of Corporate Banking, said, “We are excited to continue our growth strategy with the opening of our Huntsville office with two well-respected banking professionals of Barry’s and Elizabeth’s caliber. As the North Alabama...

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of taking our second year Colony Leadership Academy youth to our second in-person trip in Moultrie. We started the weekend with our UGA Fanning group teaching lessons in Communication at the Colquitt County Arts Center. Before dinner, our special guest speaker Mayor Bill McIntosh, spoke to the students and welcomed them to Moultrie. After dinner, we headed to the Colquitt County High School’s indoor football complex to play kickball. On Saturday,...