AUSTIN BANK RECOGNIZES JACKSONVILLE EMPLOYEES

December, 2006

Austin Bank recently honored six Jacksonville employees at its 2006 Service Award Luncheon. They were among 26 employees recognized for outstanding service and longevity on the job at a luncheon held at the Pinecrest Country Club in Longview on December 6.

“We are proud to recognize these employees. They work as a team providing financial services to the East Texas community we serve, said Austin Bank Chairman Jeff Austin Jr. “These valuable employees are dedicated, loyal workers who provide our bank customers excellent service on a daily basis.”

The annual luncheon recognized Austin Bank employees who completed five, 10, 15, 35 or 40 years of service in 2006. The Jacksonville honorees included employees with 40, 15, 10 and five years of service. They were:

Jane Chapman, a Vice President and Director of Austin Bank, received the 2006 Service Award for 40 years of service. Chapman also is a Director of First State Bank in Frankston and First State Bank in Athens. A resident of Jacksonville, she has been involved in the banking industry for at least 52 years. Chapman is a graduate of The Hockaday School in Dallas and The University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of the United Methodist Church in Frankston where she serves on various committees.

John P. Williams, President and CEO, was recognized for 15 years of service with Austin Bank. Williams who has 33 years banking experience has worked in Customer Service, Check Processing, Bookkeeping, Cash Management, Lending, Trust and Administration.

Williams joined the Austin family banks in 1991 as President/CEO and Director of the First National Bank of Whitehouse. Williams became Austin Bank’s President and CEO in March 2006. Williams, who resides in Whitehouse, is a native of Louisiana who graduated from Natchitoches High School. Williams attended Louisiana State University and Northwestern State University. He is a graduate of the American Institute of Banking, Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU. Williams is actively involved in the community serving on the Trinity Mother Frances Health System Foundation, Tyler Catholic School System Foundation, and the Jacksonville Building Committee for Our Lady of Sorrow. Williams also is involved with the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce, South Tyler Rotary and Junior Achievement.

Pat Davis, a Vice President and Senior Operations Officer, was recognized for 15 years of service. Davis currently oversees Austin Bank’s Merchant Services and is involved with the bank’s New Account System, American Express, Deluxe One and Business Online Banking services. She is a graduate of Carthage High School and a member of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Carthage.

Debbie Braune, a Vice President in the Lending Department, was recognized for 15 years of service. She began her banking career with Austin Bank and has experience in bookkeeping, credit and loans. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Illinois University and is a graduate of Oakland High School in Oakland, IL.

Laurie Adams, a teller at the Jacksonville South location, was recognized for 10 years of service. A graduate of Frankston High School, Adams also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Luti Ortega, a teller in the Jacksonville South location, was honored for five years of service. Ortega has worked as a teller, loan assistant and Customer Service Representative. She is a graduate of Rusk High School and a member of the bank’s Hispanic Task Force.

Austin Bank is a community bank with $770 million in assets. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Texas, Austin Bank serves the needs of East Texas families and businesses at 21 locations in nine counties.

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