Bank News / Releases

Jones Named Area Commercial Lender for Macon

Hendersonville, NC (April 25, 2008)…Macon Bank has named Bradley Jones the new area commercial lender for their eastern region branches in Buncombe, Henderson and Polk Counties. Jones will service existing and new commercial accounts with their lending needs.

“Banking is all about providing excellent customer service,” said Jones. “My goal is to best match the financial needs of clients with a superior banking product.”

Jones brings over 8 years of local knowledge and lending experience to Macon. Most recently he spent 3 ½ years as the Regional Executive/Lender for Blue Ridge Savings and prior to that he was a Mortgage Banker for 4 ½  years at Asheville Savings Bank. Jones new duties will include working with existing commercial accounts and establishing new relationships with area businesses.

Jones was born in Rome, GA, but grew up in Hendersonville.  He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance with a M.S. in Sport Administration. 

Jones stays active as a member of Rotary International /Hendersonville Club and the Hendersonville Home Builders Association. He is also a board member for the Henderson County Salvation Army & Kanuga Conferences and serves as treasurer for the Flat Rock Playhouse and Salvation Army. He is married to wife Elizabeth and has two children, 4 year old Anne and 3 year old Catherine. Jones is an active member of St. James Episcopal Church.

Franklin, NC (April 11, 2008)…The Macon Bank Board of Directors recently welcomed their newest member. Stan Jeffress of Franklin was sworn in as a director of Macon Bank.

Jeffress, who has been with Macon Bank for over thirteen years, is the bank’s Senior Vice President and CFO.

Jeffress holds a B.S. from Murray State University and MBA from University of Kentucky and was licensed as a CPA in Tennessee. He is an active member of Cowee Baptist Church where he has been a Sunday school teacher for over ten years and performs other various responsibilities for the church.

“Macon Bank has been my second family and my time here has been the most enjoyable of any of the organizations I have been a part of in my 40+ year career”, said Jeffress. “It is an honor to have been a small part of its success and to live in one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

Jeffress leadership as CFO was one the driving forces in Macon’s tremendous success during recent years.

“Stan helped us achieve growth that was smart for our customers, employees and communities”, said Macon President and CEO Roger Plemens. “I am pleased to have him as a member of our board of directors. His understanding of our commitment to western North Carolina will continue to be an asset for many years.”

In addition to his business and community involvement, Jeffress enjoys spending time with family. He is married to wife Sheri of 41 years. Sheri is a retired school teacher who taught gifted children in both Macon and Jackson counties. They have a son, Mark, who lives in Norcross, Georgia and daughter Julie Jenkins resides in Franklin with her husband Jason and children Riley and Christopher.

Sharpe to Head Macon Bank Hendersonville Branch

Hendersonville, NC (April 7, 2008)…Local Hendersonville resident Todd Sharpe has accepted the branch manager position at Macon Bank’s branch operation in downtown Hendersonville. Sharpe is an Assistant Vice President with Macon where he has worked as branch manager of their Arden branch. He will replace Assistant Vice President Brian Jones who has taken the branch manager position at Macon’s Columbus branch in Polk County.

Sharpe is a graduate of N.C. State University where he received his B.A. degree in Business Management and Economics. He brings over 20 years of banking experience with him. He came to Hendersonville in 1998 where he worked for First Union Bank. He began working for Macon Bank in 2003 and was branch manager of their Arden branch since opening in 2004. He will be responsible for overseeing operations and business development for the branch.

“I really enjoy working with people and helping them with their financial needs”, said Sharpe. “The Hendersonville area has been my home for a long time. I enjoy helping local people and businesses and seeing them succeed.”

Sharpe is a past president of the North Carolina Apple Festival and enjoys golf in his free time. He and his wife Laura have two children.

Jones Takes Reigns Of Macon Bank’s Columbus Branch

Columbus, NC (March 7, 2008)…Local Tryon resident Brian Jones has accepted the branch manager position at Macon Bank’s Columbus branch operation. Jones has worked as Macon’s branch manager of their downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina location since June 2007.

Macon Bank officials recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new branch building in Columbus. The new building will move them just across the street from their current temporary building at 15 West Mill Street. Jones is responsible for the day-to-day operations and business development of the Columbus and Tryon area.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working in Hendersonville since last year, but I am even more excited about working in my ‘backyard’”, said Jones. “The Polk County area is home for me. My family is here and I am thrilled to be working with my neighbors and friends.”

Jones resides in Tryon and was born and raised in neighboring Landrum, South Carolina where he graduated from Landrum High School. He received his Associate Degree from Anderson University and his Bachelor of Science degree from Winthrop University where he also played baseball. He spent 10 years in sports marketing in the Charlotte area and the 5 years in banking.

Jones excitement for helping his customers comes from his positive attitude.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life,” said Jones. “I’m convinced that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. You cannot change the inevitable but you do have control of your attitude.”

“We have been in business for over 85 years and we love working in our communities throughout western North Carolina”, said Carolyn Huscusson, Macon’s Chief Retail Officer. “Brian brings the same kind of enthusiasm and helpfulness that’s offered at all of our 12 branches.”

Jones serves as Vice President of the Babe Ruth Baseball League in Tryon and is on the Henderson County Red Cross Board. In addition to his love of sports, including golf, he enjoys coaching and spending time with his wife Jennifer and sons Grayson and Evan.

Sanders Named Area Commercial Lender For Macon

Franklin, NC (March 7, 2008)... Macon Bank recently announced the promotion of Bobby Sanders to Assistant Vice President and Area Commercial Lender for their branch locations west of Asheville. Sanders will plan, process and assist with all commercial lending for Macon’s branch locations in Franklin, Highlands, Sylva, Cashiers and Murphy.

Sanders spent that last 5 years in the commercial loan department at Macon’s corporate center in Franklin where most recently he was Senior Credit Analyst. Sanders new duties will include working with existing commercial accounts and establishing new relationships with area businesses.

“It’s my goal to find the right fit for each customer I work with,” said Sanders. “Seeing our customers succeed is what makes my job so enjoyable.”

Macon’s President and CEO Roger Plemens sees Sanders as a true asset to local businesses.

“Bobby has a deep level of understanding of the commercial loan process,” said Plemens. “Coupled with his desired to help local businesses, he is a banker that can go along side that business and make a positive impact.”

Sanders office is located on the second floor of Macon’s downtown location on Main Street.

“Franklin and far western North Carolina is a growing area for many businesses,” Sanders said. “Macon Bank has been a community partner for many of those businesses and I am proud to say I am a part of that as well. I hope my customers will see me not as just a banker but as a resource and partner for their continued and future success.”

Sanders has called western North Carolina home for over 16 years. He is a Western Carolina University graduate with a B.S.B.A. degree and is Credit Risk Certified by the RMA. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Franklin and he and his wife Kim reside in Franklin with their 10-month old daughter Claire.

Mason Appointed to Macon Bank Board of Directors

Franklin, NC (January 2, 2008)…The Macon Bank Board of Directors recently welcomed their newest member. At their regularly scheduled meeting, local Franklin, North Carolina businesswoman Beverly Mason was sworn in as a director of Macon Bank.

Mason has worked in real estate sales since 1977 and became a full time real estate broker with Lamplighter McCoy Real Estate in Franklin. She has been with Lamplighter McCoy since 1984.

Born and raised in Sylva, North Carolina, Mason attended Southwestern Community College with a concentration in Real Estate and has lived and worked in Franklin for over 30 years. She previously served or is currently serving on several local community boards including: the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce Board (2 Terms), Macon Academic Foundation, Macon County Planning Board (Chair), Macon County Economic Commission (Member), Macon County Tourism Development Committee (Chair), Franklin Board of Realtors (Member & Director), Smoky Mountain Host Executive Committee, Macon County Board of Adjustment (Chair) and Franklin Daybreak Rotary Club (Member & Past President).

Mason sees the opportunity to serve on the Macon Bank board as another chance to help local communities.

“I love the mountains of North Carolina and want to give back to the community,” said Mason. “A good strong community bank can be a real asset to the towns in western North Carolina.”

Macon Bank President and CEO Roger Plemens noted the historic significance of Mason’s appointment which made her the first female appointed to the Macon Bank Board of Directors since the bank’s inception in 1922.

Plemens said, “I can not think of a better or more qualified person to join our board”.

In addition to her business and community involvement, Mason enjoys traveling and visiting family and friends. She was married to her loving husband Carter Mason until his passing in September, 2007. She has a daughter, Jennifer and two sons, Greg and Chris.  

Garner Appointed to Macon Bank Board of Directors

Franklin, NC (October 3, 2007)…The Macon Bank Board of Directors recently welcomed their newest member. On Wednesday, September 27th, local businessman Jim Garner was sworn in as a director of Macon Bank. 

Garner is an active partner at Wayah Insurance in Franklin where he began his career over 22 years ago. He is active in the Franklin community through his membership at Iotla Baptist Church and the North Carolina Baptist Men’s Association. He is a past president and current member of the Franklin Daybreak Rotary Club as well.

“I am honored at this opportunity to serve on the Macon Bank Board of Directors,” said Garner. “It is a huge responsibility to be involved in guiding an institution as well established as Macon Bank and I stand with their vision to continue to be a community bank in western North Carolina.”

Garner resides in Franklin with his wife Brenda. They have two children: Kyle, 21 and Paul, 18.

Macon Bank Names New Director of Operations

Franklin, NC (August 1, 2007)… Macon Bank recently announced the hiring of Anthony Cataldi as Vice President and Director of Operations for their 12 western North Carolina branches. Cataldi is responsible for day-to-day management of the deposit operations area, including electronic banking, wire transfer, card services, document imaging, security and purchasing.

“I am very pleased to be with Macon Bank”, Cataldi said. “The bank’s management and directors have created a family atmosphere for the employees that truly makes it a great place to work.”

Cataldi recently moved from upstate New York with his family where he worked in much the same capacity as his new position with Macon Bank. Along with his banking experience he holds a B.S. in Management with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY.

“Anthony comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and energy that is very contagious”, said Roger Plemens, President and CEO of Macon Bank. “We were very pleased when he chose to accept the position with us.”

Cataldi recently joined the Franklin Daybreak Rotary Club. He and his family reside in the Franklin area where he works out of the Macon Bank Corporate Center.

“I believe the bank is positioned for a great deal of success in the years ahead”, Cataldi said. “I look forward to being a part of that success.”