25th Annual Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation Golf Benefit Raises $95,000 for Local Charities

The 25th annual Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation Golf Benefit raised almost $95,000 to help fund North Georgia and Chattanooga area charities.

 "We are very pleased with the turnout and amazed that, in these economic times, we have so many people committed to helping our community," Scott Smith, Vice President of the Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation, said. "I am proud to see numerous familiar faces each year, some of which have supported us from the very beginning."

 More than half of the community bank’s employees played a role supporting the Aug. 7 fundraiser at the Champions Club at Hampton Creek, including serving on planning committees, raising money, covering for co-workers who volunteered and spending the day on the course serving players. Ringgold Telephone Company served as top sponsor again this year, followed by more than 200 additional sponsors at various funding levels.

Golf Benefit proceeds now surpass $1 million for a long list of beneficiaries. Most recent recipients include the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga, Inc, Prison Prevention Ministries, Primary Healthcare Centers, Friends of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, the Better Business Bureau, Score International, and the Catoosa Citizens for Literacy. In fact, funding to build the Northwest Georgia Bank Amphitheatre came entirely from golf benefit proceeds.

 Since 2012, Northwest Georgia Bank contributed over $145,000 in community gifts apart from the Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation, while employees donate hundreds of hours of hands-on volunteer service annually to local charities.

 The Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation was formed in 2004 to continue growing the reputation established by Northwest Georgia Bank as a civic and philanthropic leader in our community during its first 100 years. 

The Foundation was formed from the success of the organization's annual golf tournament. The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life within the communities served by Northwest Georgia Bank. Priority is given to the arts, economic and community development, education - especially community literacy and financial education - and youth-focused programs. 

Donations to the Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation are tax-deductible and always welcome. Please make checks payable to: Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation, Attn: Kevin Taylor, Treasurer, PO Box

789, Ringgold, GA 30736. 

 

Northwest Georgia Bank Appoints New President & CEO  

Effective August 20, the Northwest Georgia Bank Board of Directors appointed Stephen Rownd as the President and CEO of Northwest Georgia Bank. He will also join the Board of Directors.

 Scott Smith will remain at the bank as Executive Vice President.

 “I am very honored to be part of the Northwest Georgia Bank team. The opportunities that lie ahead for building on the company’s long history of success are exciting,” Rownd said.  

Rownd joins the Bank from Charlotte, NC with 30 years of extensive banking experience and knowledge. Most recently, he served as President of Capital Bank of Tennessee, after the acquisitied Green Bankshares.  

Rownd also served as Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Banker for Fifth Third Bank of the Carolinas. He joined Fifth Third Bank of the Carolinas in 2008 through the acquisition of First Charter Corporation, North Carolina, where he had served since 2000 –first as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer and later as Executive Vice President and Chief Banking officer. His earlier career includes positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of risk management and credit process with SunTrust Bank, Orlando, Florida; First National Bancorp/First National Bank, Gainesville, Georgia; and Barnett Banks in Atlanta and Miami. Rownd earned his Business Administration in Economics from Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania.

W. Leonard Fant, Chairman of the Northwest Georgia Bank Board of Directors, states: “Steve Rownd has been elected to lead our bank and has impressed us all as a man of high integrity and great vision. He is a man whose background and proven performance will be a great asset to the bank. We all look forward to working with him.” 

 

 

Personal Online Banking and Bill Pay Support Offered 24/7

Northwest Georgia Bank is now offering 24/7 support for Personal Internet Banking and Personal Bill Pay! The call center will be available to help with password resets, verifying personal internet banking user ID and general personal bill pay questions. Please call 1-866-305-8360 for 24/7 assistance.

 

 

Northwest Georgia Bank Receives "Best Bank of North Georgia" Award

Northwest Georgia Bank was recently awarded a "Best of the Best 2013" by the Chattanooga Times Free Press. We are honored to be the bank you voted as "Best Bank in North Georgia."
 

We are proud to be a leading community bank that has served North Georgia and Chattanooga for over 100 years. Each year we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve, not only through banking technology and convenience, but also through community outreach and volunteering. Thank you to all of our supporters. Thank you to all who voted for us. Above all, thank you to the individuals who continue to bank at Northwest Georgia Bank.

 

 

 

Hixson Branch Celebrates Five Year Anniversary!

The Hixson Branch celebrated its five-year anniversary on March 23rd with an “Opening Day” ball park cookout.  The staff provided hot dogs, nachos and drinks while local businesses donated peanuts and popcorn.  The Chattanooga Lookouts helped us hit a homerun by donating gear and four box seat tickets for a giveaway!  Two Atlanta Braves tickets were also given to one lucky visitor. 
 
The event was a huge success!  Over one hundred hot dogs were served.  City Councilmen, members of the Chattanooga Chamber, local business owners, and local churches were among those that came out to show their support and enthusiasm for this event. 

Branch Manager, Assistant Vice President Stacey Beene, said the event helped to generate several prospects, including merchant card processing referrals, a contact with the Small Business Development Center, and other contacts that will be followed up on with the Business Development staff.  
 
Stacey said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hixson Branch Team!  This event couldn't have happened and been so successful without their ideas, help, and commitment to showing everyone the Northwest Way!"

Northwest Georgia Bank Promotes Rich Balthrop

Northwest Georgia Bank recently promoted Rich Balthrop to Vice President of Business Development. He joined Northwest in 2008 as an Assistant Vice President of Business Development.

A 1984 graduate of Central High School, he has worked as head golf pro at Wexford Plantation in Hilton Head Island and as general manager of Hampton Creek Golf Club. In 2007, Rich was named the Chattanooga Chapter Golf professional of the year. He graduated from University of Tennessee
Chattanooga in 1988 with a degree in Business Finance.

Rich serves as a Junior Achievement classroom volunteer and was a former member of Governor Sundquist's Economic Development Advisory Council. He
is on the board of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and is Chairperson of the Friends of Boyd.

Rich lives in Ooltewah with his wife, Cara, and daughters Madison, Meredith
and Macy.

Foundation Makes Another Donation to Disaster Relief

The Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation continues to support our community by donating $5,000 to the Bayside Baptist Church Disaster Relief Fund on March 30, 2012.   Cheryl Martin, Ooltewah Branch Manager, made the donation to Eric Stitts, the church’s pastor. 

The church has been a major player in the disaster relief efforts for the Ooltewah and Harrison areas.   These areas received the bulk of the damage from tornadoes that hit on March 2, 2012.   The unsolicited donation was made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors as part of its mission to support the surrounding communities.  Mr. Wes Smith, Board Chairman for the Foundation said, “It is our hope that this contribution can be used effectively to assist those impacted by this tragedy”.