United Community Bank Regional President and CEO Dick Valentine will retire next month, according to a press statement issued by bank officials.
Valentine retires after a 35-year banking career in Gainesville. He led the team that joined United Community Bank in 2005 and built the United presence in Gainesville and Hall County from one branch to five. In addition to leading Hall County, Valentine most recently was also responsible for Region three which includes Dawson County.
Bill Gilbert, President of Community Banking for United Community Bank, said Valentine's last day will be March 31, 2016, although he will remain with United as a member of the Hall County Advisory Board.
“We are extremely grateful to Dick for the steady direction he has provided in Hall and Dawson Counties over the past ten years,” said Gilbert . “He has been instrumental not only in the growth of our bank, but also in the economic growth of this region."
Gilbert announced that Will White will succeed Valentine as United's CEO for Gainesville and Hall County. White has worked with Valentine for more than 25 years and will supervise operations of all five United branches in the Hall County area.
"We are confident Will White will continue to provide strong, local leadership in Hall County," Gilbert said.
White is a native of Hall County and a graduate of Gainesville High School, Gainesville College and the University of Georgia. Most recently he was responsible for leading the commercial lending group for United Community Bank in Gainesville and he has more than 30 years of banking experience.
According to the press statement, this Region will now be led by Jack Keener, another longtime Gainesville area banker who lives in Gainesville. Keener becomes Regional President for United Community Bank in Northeast Georgia, which will include Hall and Dawson County, along with Rabun, Habersham, Jackson, White and Lumpkin Counties.
United Community Banks, Inc. (UCBI) is a bank holding company based in Blairsville, Georgia, with $9.6 billion in assets.
