Jeff Austin, III, Vice Chairman of the Board, recently announced the promotion of six Longview employees – Keith Fletcher, Lora Hammond, Dennis Means, Cindy Moss, Renee Rice, and Lisa Sampson.
The promotions were approved at the March 9, 2010 Board of Directors meeting in Jacksonville.
“Each of these employees is a true professional who is dedicated to giving our customers exceptional service,” said Austin. “We are proud to have them as members of the Austin Bank team.”
Keith Fletcher, Senior Vice President, joined Austin Bank in 2003 as the Bank Security Officer. He also handles duties ranging from purchasing, supply, service contracts, building maintenance construction, and leasing.
Fletcher is a graduate of Marshall High School, Panola Junior College, the Law Enforcement Management Institute, the FBI National Academy 211th Session, and holds a BBA from LeTourneau University. He also graduated from Austin Bank’s Leadership Class V in 2009. Prior to his time at Austin Bank, Fletcher served at the Marshall Police Department in the Administrative Division.
Civically, he has been recognized for working with Longview Community Ministries in the Coats for Kids project. He has also spoken at numerous civic clubs and organizations. Fletcher maintains his Peace Officer Certification and holds a dual commission with both Harrison and Gregg County District Attorney Offices.
Lora Hammond, Vice President, has 10 years banking experience and is currently a Mortgage Lending Officer at the Longview Oak Forest office. Her banking experience consists of several different areas including teller, bookkeeper, Customer Service Representative and loan assistant.
Hammond graduated from Meridian High School, and attended McLennan Community College and Baylor University, both in Waco, Texas. Prior to joining Austin Bank in 2008, she worked for Central Title Company, and as a legal assistant for Phillips & Gilchrist, LLP. Hammond is President of the Dynamic Referrals local BNI networking chapter.
Lora and her husband, Jody, have four children, Mark, Ryan, Payton, and Brayden.
They are members of Center Street Church of Christ in White Oak.
Dennis Means, Assistant Vice President, has been with Austin Bank for over 8 years. He joined the Austin Bank team in 2001 as the Data Processing Manager and shortly became an Operations Officer.
Means is a graduate of Harmony High School, and earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from Kilgore College. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from American Sentinel University, and recently completed the Austin Bank Leadership Class V in 2009.
Means is active in his community by being involved in several organizations including the Harmony Band Boosters Club, the Harmony Choir and Athletic departments, as well as his local Boy Scout troop.
Dennis and his wife, Jan, have four children, Nicholas, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Katherine. They are all active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Cindy Moss, Operations Officer, is the Austin Bank Customer Call Center supervisor. She joined Austin Bank in 1998 and has since completed 12 years experience in several roles ranging from teller to working in the bookkeeping department.
Moss graduated from Jacksonville High School, completed Austin Bank’s Leadership Class II, and earned her certificate in Spanish for Banking. She also donates her time to the Angel Food Ministries Outreach program.
Cindy and husband, Gil, are active members of Longview Metro Church. They have two children, James and Crystal, and two grandchildren, Shylah and Mya.
Renee Rice, Assistant Vice President, is a loan officer at the Austin Bank office located on Gilmer Road. She has been with Austin Bank since 2005 where she began working as a Credit Analyst.
Rice graduated from Tatum High School, and earned her BBA in accounting from University of Texas at Tyler. Prior to joining Austin Bank she worked for Michael Burgett, CPA and Express Personnel.
Rice’s community involvement includes working with the Longview United Way and the March of Dimes.
Lisa Sampson, Senior Vice President, has been with Austin Bank since 1999 where she served in the loan department, and is now responsible for overseeing Loan Operations. Sampson came to Austin Bank with previous banking experience having worked at Texas Bank and Trust as a loan assistant, teller supervisor and supervisor of Loan and Credit Administration.
A longtime resident of Kilgore, Sampson graduated from Kilgore High School, and attended Kilgore College. She is also a graduate of Austin Bank Leadership Class III.
Sampson has been very dedicated to Austin Bank by serving on the Stakeholder Council, the IT Steering Committee, and currently serves as Chairman of the IT User’s Group.
Austin Bank is a community bank with more than $1 billion in assets. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Austin Bank serves the needs of East Texas families and businesses in 27 locations and nine counties. More information about Austin Bank can be found on the bank’s website at www.austinbank.com.
We are community bankers providing exceptional service throughout East Texas. We are a trusted financial source for the families and businesses we serve. We will always act with honor and integrity. Our vision is to be the "Bank of Choice" in the markets we serve.
