June 26, 2009
Media Contact: Susan Hancock or Virginia Gribben
Abshire Public Relations
912.844.9549/ 912.695.7881
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Lt. Governor Casey Cagle recently appointedThe Coastal Bank’s Effingham County Market President Chap Bennett to a two-year term on the Council of Regional Commissions starting July 1, 2009.
In this capacity, Bennett will act as a liaison between local residents and state government, developing policy for short-term and long-term comprehensive planning in the areas of land use, environment, transportation and historic preservation in coastal Georgia.
“Chap Bennett is an excellent choice for this prestigious council appointment,” said Tom Wiley, president and CEO of Coastal Bankshares, Inc. “His effective track record in Effingham County demonstrates that he has the strategic planning skills necessary to manage the growth of our region as a whole.”
In addition to managing The Coastal Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio and overseeing business development in Effingham County, Bennett also serves as chairman of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and the Division One Chairman for the Community Bankers Association of Georgia.
The former President of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, Bennett is an active community volunteer who has contributed to the board of directors of the Effingham County Hospital and is a member of the Homebuilders Association, Rincon Lions Club and Springfield United Methodist Church.
“I’m honored to represent our region and to provide input that will contribute to the responsible growth of our region,” Bennett said. “I look forward to working with concerned citizens in our area as well as representatives from local governments.”
Originally from Thomson, Ga., Bennett earned a finance degree from Georgia Southern University and graduated with honors from the University of Georgia’s School of Banking. He has been named one of the region’s top “40 Under 40” by the Savannah Business Report.
ABOUT THE COASTAL BANK:
Locally owned and operated, The Coastal Bank provides a full range of financial services, specializing in small business, consumer banking and real estate lending. Headquartered on Johnson Square in Savannah, this successful community bank has been serving the greater Savannah area since 1954. The Coastal Bank has an operations center in Pooler and branches throughout coastal Georgia. For more information about The Coastal Bank, please call (912) 201-4934 or visit http://thecoastalbank.com online.
Chap Bennett