Austin Bank Employees Honored

Austin Bank honors 40 employees for their outstanding work and years of service at their 2011 Service Award Luncheon.

"We are proud of all these employees because they work as a team serving our friends, neighbors and the businesses located here in East Texas," said Austin Bank Vice Chairman, Jeff Austin III. "They are the key to our bank's success. Each one takes pride in their performance; and continually strives to provide excellent service to our bank customers."

"At Austin Bank our employees are the difference and perpetuate Austin Bank's legacy. Each one has earned and deserves this recognition for their dedicated commitment to the bank and its customers. We are proud of their contributions and accomplishments," said John P. Williams, President and CEO.

This year's annual luncheon recognized Austin Bank employees who completed five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service in 2011. The employees were honored at a luncheon held on December 7 at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. The honored group of 40 employees makes up a combined total of 345 years of experience. The group included:

Twenty Year Service Award
Debbie Braune, Vice President/Risk Management in Whitehouse
John P. Williams, President/CEO in Jacksonville

Fifteen Year Service Award
Laurie Adams, Customer Service Representative in Tyler
Pat Davis, Vice President/Senior Operations Officer in Garrison
Donna Higginbotham, Retail Office Manager in Timpson
Kathy Newton, Loan Assistant in Frankston
Frank Still, Regional President in Nacogdoches

Ten Year Service Award
Judy Adams, Teller in Grand Saline
Abigayle Berry, Teller Operations Supervisor in Longview
Leann Chamberlain, Loan Assistant in Longview
Melissa Cole, Computer Tech in Longview
Debra Curbow, Teller in Garrison
Shane Davenport, Network Administrator in Whitehouse
Carla Henry, Customer Service Representative in Palestine
Dennis Means, Operations Officer in Longview
Billie Mims, Vice President/Community Lender in Kilgore
Brenda McMichael, Customer Service Representative in Frankston
Luti Ortega, Loan Assistant in Jacksonville
Kim Raney, Senior Vice President/Credit Analyst in Longview
Minerva Valle, Loan Assistant in Tyler

Five Year Service Award
Jason Arnold, Staff Accountant in Jacksonville
Carmen Camacho, Customer Service Representative in Kilgore
Josie Chaffins, Teller in Palestine
Kerrie Covert, Location President in Tyler
Michelle Cox, Customer Service Representative in Whitehouse
Toni Davis, Retail Office Manager in Tyler
Dawn DeVillers, Executive Administrative Assistant in Jacksonville
Karen Faulkner, BSA Officer in Frankston
Debbie Haddock, Retail Office Manager in Gilmer
Letha Harold, Teller in Tyler
Chad Hinton, Loan Officer in Longview
Lisa Hubbard, Teller Operations Supervisor in Gilmer
Jaleea Hudnall, Loan Assistant in Rusk
Barbara Johnson, Loan Assistant in Gilmer
April Laughlin, Customer Service Representative in Gladewater
John Mebane, Location President in Emory
Donna Reynolds, Loan Documentation Specialist in Whitehouse
Diana Vazquez, Bookkeeping Clerk in Longview
Patsy Vaughn, Teller in Whitehouse
Tammie Welch, Bookkeeping Clerk in Longview

Austin Bank is a community bank with $1.2 billion in assets. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Texas, Austin Bank serves the finanicial needs of East Texas families and businesses throughout 31 locations in 21 citites and ten counties. More information about Austin Bank can be found on the bank's website at www.austinbank.com .