Austin Bank Announces Community Involvement Award Winners

During the February Board meeting, Austin Bank announced the 2004 Community Involvement Award recipients. In keeping with their commitment to their employees and the community, Austin Bank recognized the service of employees and officers to their local community through participation with civic and non-profit organizations. This was the first year for implementation of the program.

Jeff Austin III, Senior Executive Vice President, stated, “Our staff involvement with these organizations helps in providing services to our community through leadership and financial expertise. We are dedicated to giving back to the communities that we serve. Additionally, the participation in these organizations promotes housing, education, health, job retention and development in communities throughout East Texas.”

The recipients each receive $500 with another $500 donated to the organization they serve. Recipients of the 2004 Community Involvement Awards are Gayle Teer, Maria Lobato, Donnie Turner, Nancy Washburn and Harry Tilley.

Gayle Teer, Loan Secretary in the Austin Bank Emory office, received an award for her participation with the Crisis Center of Northeast Texas where her primary contribution has been as an online Crisis Center Advocate. This is a daily duty of answering the telephone and providing resources to victims all over the United States. The Crisis Center of Northeast Texas provides a caring and understanding approach to victims of sexual assault and child abuse. CCNETX provides information, self defense training and other proactive programs to individuals that will help prevent them from becoming victims.

Maria Lobato is a member of Hispanic Alliance for Community EnRichment (HACER). HACER is an organization working with the growing Hispanic population in Nacogdoches County. Lobato uses her bilingual skills to provide financial counseling. Maria is a teller in the Austin Bank Nacogdoches office.

The late Donnie Turner was recognized for his participation in the White Oak Lions Club. Turner was a member of the Lions Club International organization since October 1974. “My role in the White Oak Lions Club is to work together with my fellow Lions to help build a team that can serve those in need” said Turner. “This ‘We Serve’ initiative is the reason Lion clubs exist.” Turner was a loan officer in the Austin Bank Longview Main office.

Nancy Washburn, Operation’s Officer in the Jacksonville Accounting Department, serves as a Vice President and Board Member of H.O.P.E. The mission of H.O.P.E. is to provide emergency assistance to the indigent and to give them the tools that will promote self-sufficiency. Washburn has worked with H.O.P.E. for seven years where she currently produces their brochure and quarterly newsletter.

Harry Tilley, an Austin Bank Director, was also recognized for his service with the Jacksonville H.O.P.E. organization. Mr. Tilley serves on the H.O.P.E. Board of Directors, was their 2004 Treasurer, helps with their general computer maintenance and drives a van to help transport people to the doctor, hospital or dentist. H.O.P.E. serves the Jacksonville and northern half of Cherokee County.

In addition to the these awards, Austin Bank contributed over a quarter of a million dollars back into the East Texas communities they serve during 2004. These monies were contributed through donations-both monetary and in-kind-and sponsorship of events.

Austin Bank, a community bank with headquarters in Jacksonville, Texas, has in excess of $693 million in assets with twenty-one offices in nine counties throughout East Texas. More information about Austin Bank can be found online at www.austinbank.com

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