Austin Bank Honors Longview Employees
December, 2007

Austin Bank recently honored six Longview employees at its 2007 Service Award Luncheon. They were among 32 bank employees recognized for outstanding service and longevity on the job at a luncheon held at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler.

“We are proud to recognize these employees who work as a team providing financial services to our friends, neighbors and the businesses within East Texas,” said Austin Bank Vice Chairman Jeff Austin III. “These valuable employees are dedicated, loyal workers who offer our bank customers excellent service on a daily basis.”

“At Austin Bank our employees are the difference.  We proudly recognize the commitment and dedication each of these individuals has made to the Bank and its customers,” said John P. Williams, President and CEO.

The annual luncheon recognized Austin Bank employees who completed five, 10, 15, 20, or 35 years of service in 2007.  The Longview honorees included employees with 20, 10 and five years of service.  They were:

Jason Petersen, Executive Vice President and Regional President for Longview and Marshall, was the recipient of a 20 year service award.  Petersen is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and is currently attending the Southwest Graduate School of Banking.  Peterson is President of the Board of Trustees for the Hallsville ISD and Vice President of the Harrison County Appraisal District. He also is active within Junior Achievement, the Hallsville Education Foundation, and a member of the Eastern Hills Church of Christ.  Petersen and his wife, Brenda, have three children, Trevor, Brandon and Amanda.

Keenan Martin, Senior Vice President of Compliance and Loan Review, received a 10 year service award.  Martin is a graduate of Texas A&M University (MBA), Baylor University (BBA), and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.  He currently serves on the Finance Committee of the Mobberly Baptist Church.  Martin and his wife, Staci, reside in Longview.

Sharon Denton, Vice President of Lending, was honored with a 10 year service award.  Denton has 18 years banking experience in lending, collections, bankruptcies and loan administration.  She is a graduate of Kilgore Junior College and the American Institute of Banking.  She and her husband, Charles, own CRS Auto Sales in White Oak.  They have two children, Charles Jr. and Ryan.   Denton is an active member of the “Because I Care” Marrow Donor program, Gregg County Ducks Unlimited, and the White Oak Community Church.  She also volunteers at White Oak Primary School and with the Cub Scout Pack 207.

Margie Wright, Assistant Vice President and CRA Officer/Assistant Compliance Officer, was the recipient of a five year service award.  Wright is a graduate of Paris Junior College and the Texas Bankers Association Compliance School.  A resident of Ore City, she and her husband, Pete, have one son, Jeff.

Rebecka (Becky) Lonsberry, Loan Administrative Assistant, received a five year service award. Lonsberry joined Austin Bank as a Teller and recently became a loan assistant at the Longview Greggton office on Highway 80.  Lonsberry and her husband, Clayton, resident in Longview.

Austin Bank, an East Texas based community bank with headquarters in Jacksonville, Texas, has in excess of $800 million in assets with 23 offices in nine counties throughout East Texas. 

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