Cawthon elected chairman at Heritage First Bank



Heritage First Bancshares, Inc. Chairman Kenneth F. Davis announces Helmut H. Cawthon has been elected chairman of the board at the holding company’s subsidiary, Heritage First Bank.

Cawthon has been a member of the Heritage First Bancshares Board since August 2009 and, in April 2010 was named to the Bank’s Board.

For the past 27 years, he has been known throughout the community as owner/operator of Country Sportsman, a local sporting goods store. In addition, he has a farming operation in the West Rome area. An active member of Pisgah Baptist Church in West Rome, Cawthon has three children and five grandchildren.

“I am delighted to announce Mr. Cawthon’s appointment as chairman of the Heritage First Bank Board,” Davis said. “His contributions to both boards over the course of the past several years have been significant and insightful, and the ultimate beneficiaries of his wisdom and guidance are the customers we serve.”

Heritage First Bank CEO Gregory C. Wilkes stated, “Helmut has provided great leadership to the bank in terms of his time, business acumen and in his enthusiasm to help further Heritage First Bank’s goal to be the local bank of choice in our community. We are enjoying working with Helmut and we all applaud his election as chairman.”



Bridges promoted at Citizens First Bank



Angie Lewis, president and CEO of Citizens First Bank, a division of Synovus, recently announced the promotion of Anna Brock Bridges to assistant vice president. In making the announcement, Lewis said, “I am delighted that our board has recognized Anna’s dedication and hard work here at Citizens First. I have no doubt she will continue to do an outstanding job for us just as she has over the last six years.” In her new role, Anna will have responsibility for coordinating all credit and risk management functions at the bank.

Bridges, a Rome native, is a cum laude graduate of Shorter College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a graduate of Berry College with a master’s in business administration. In addition, she holds a registered real estate appraisal license from the state of Georgia. Prior to joining Citizens First in 2005, she conducted real estate appraisals in the Rome market.

She is active in the Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals.

Bridges and her husband, Nick, reside in Rome with their son, Bear.



Whatley recognized by Synovus Securities



For the sixth consecutive year, Lynn Whatley, VP and Financial Consultant at Citizens First Bank, has been named to the 2011 Synovus Securities President’s Club. Synovus Securities is an affiliate of Citizens First Bank. The President’s Club recognizes financial consultants who exceeded their annual production goals and who consistently delivered a high degree of client satisfaction during the year.

“Lynn worked hard this past year and we are, indeed, pleased to see him recognized for his tremendous work ethic,” said Angie Lewis, president and CEO of the bank. “Excellent results come to those who continuously deliver a high degree of client satisfaction. We are proud of the way Lynn provides his clients with sound financial advice and the finest in customer service.”

Whatley, a Rome native, is a graduate of Mercer University and received the Chartered Financial Consultant and Charter Life Underwriter certifications from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Penn. He has more than 33 years experience in the financial services industry including retirement, investment, estate and insurance planning.

Whatley and his wife, Vicki, reside in Rome.



Beard named sales manager of ADI Georgia



Advertising Dynamics Inc., announces the appointment of Joey Beard to the position of sales manager of ADI Georgia Specialties Division. A native of Rome, Beard attended Armuchee High School and obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Georgia. Beard has been in the specialty/promotional products and printing business in Rome for more than 12 years.

In his new position Beard will maintain the same level of quality service for his clients as well as expansions into a multiplicity of marketing services. Advertising Dynamics Inc. is a full service advertising agency. Beard will be instrumental in providing promotional products, and logo apparel that complete advertising and marketing campaigns and the company owned Enjoy! Magazines.

Beard and wife, Jennifer, have one daughter, Charlotte, 9 months. The family attends the First Presbyterian Church in Rome.



Shaw joins SAI Digital



SAI Digital announces Lillian Shaw has joined the team as the community support assistant. In addition to her administrative duties, Shaw will support both the company and its clients through writing, research and social media management. SAI Digital specializes in website and web application development and all forms of data-driven marketing.

Before joining SAI Digital, Shaw worked at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City while writing freelance for publications such as BORO Magazine in Queens and Manhattan’s amNewYork. Shaw started in journalism as an intern and reporter for the Rome News-Tribune in 2008.

“Lillian is a fantastic writer, and brings not only a natural understanding of social media, but also the culture of service and technical training gained by working in the busiest Apple store in the country,” says CEO Tricia Seifert. “She will be an tremendous asset to our team and customers.”

Shaw is a 2006 graduate of Rome High School and a 2010 honor graduate of Mercer University. While at Mercer, Shaw studied journalism and photography and served two years as Editor-in-Chief of Mercer’s student newspaper, The Cluster.

A native Roman, Shaw is the daughter of Terrell and Sheila Shaw.