SimplyBank Creates Directing Officer Corps With 5 Senior Officers

Growth at privately-held, Rhea County-based SimplyBank has organization leaders poised to make significant leaps into new markets and services this year.

To help facilitate those expansions, SimplyBank’s executive leadership elevated five existing senior officers to a newly-created directing officer corps this spring. The senior officers are Anthony Lastoria, Candace Colvard, Blake Swafford, Patrick Childs, and Rachel Matousek.

“Strong leadership is a must to get where we’re going,” said John Owen, president and chief executive officer at SimplyBank. “We know community banks have to work harder than ever to compete in today’s market for today’s customers, and this team is unafraid to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.”

The new directing officer level reports up to the bank’s C-Suite, working hand-in-hand to build strategy and execute tactical specifics to continue building one of the area’s leading community banks.

Accountable to those at the highest level of the organization, the new officer corps is currently enrolled in a months-long leadership program built and led by Owen.

From self-awareness to conflict resolution, the course – based on experience gained over Owen’s 20-year career in financial institutions – covers leadership and training topics for rising executives.

“Our executive team is excited about this talented group of leaders,” said Mr. Owen. “But the training and development are key, because we aren’t interested in keeping a senior officer in that role for 10 years.