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Georgia Bank & Trust has new president, board chairman [The Augusta Chronicle, Ga. :: ](Augusta Chronicle (GA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 24--As the chief executive of an Augusta-based bank begins his tenure of leadership roles with the American Bankers Association, the bank announced Thursday a new president to oversee local operations. R. Daniel Blanton will remain chief executive officer of Georgia Bank & Trust and its owner, Southeastern Bank Financial Corp., but relinquishes the role of president to Ron Thigpen, who has been the executive vice president and chief operating officer. Blanton will be the chairman of the national bankers association in two years. He currently serves as the vice chairman and will transition to chairman-elect on his way to the top post. "With (Blanton) being out of town as much as he is anticipated to be, the president should be present. When he assumes those national responsibilities late this year, he'll be a road warrior," Thigpen said. "Visiting bankers associations in all the different states, being in Washington relative to testifying on legislation affecting the banking industry, speaking for the ABA, he'll assume a less-local role." Thigpen is the former president and CEO of First Columbia Bank. He joined Georgia Bank & Trust when it purchased First Columbia in 1992. He became Georgia Bank & Trust's executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1997, having previously served as chief financial officer. Also Thursday, the bank announced a change in its chairman. Dr. Randolph Smith was elected chairman of the board, succeeding E. G. Meybohm, who was elected vice chairman of the board. Smith is an original investor and organizer of the bank in 1988 when it was formed and has previously served as a director and corporate secretary. Smith is also chairman of University Health Inc., the governing body of University Hospital. ___ (c)2014 The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, Ga.) Visit The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, Ga.) at chronicle.augusta.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |