Board Member Spotlight 11/25/25

With an impressive 43-year career in banking, Nancy Jernigan of First Port City Bank has made a meaningful and lasting impact on her community. Under her leadership, the bank has supported several cornerstone projects focused on downtown revitalization. By providing key loans for the renovation of older, long-neglected buildings, Nancy has helped transform these spaces into vibrant mixed-use developments featuring retail, dining, and much-needed housing. As a result, the community has enjoyed increased access to new restaurants, entertainment options, and shopping experiences, along with a rise in tourism that has brought fresh energy to the downtown area.

Nancy’s commitment to community extends far beyond her professional role. She actively serves on the Economic Development Board of Directors and holds leadership positions with multiple local organizations, including Chairman of the Seminole County Library Board of Directors and Vice Chairman of the Southwest Georgia Regional Library Board of Directors. She also contributes her time and expertise to the Friendship Methodist Church Finance Committee and the Donalsonville Lions Club, reinforcing her dedication to service and civic engagement.

At the heart of Nancy’s professional passion is her belief in the flexibility and personalized service that define community banking. She values the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and meet the unique needs of the individuals and families she serves. Outside of work, Nancy and her husband Alex enjoy a full and active family life with their four children and their beloved golden retriever, Stella.

With 27 years of experience in community banking, Jay Funderburke of South Georgia Banking Company is dedicated to advancing growth across the region. SGBC recently played a pivotal role in the Short & Paulk Renaissance Project in Tifton, serving as the financing partner for the City of Tifton, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Urban Redevelopment Agency. By supporting the acquisition of the 9.7-acre property, the bank helped launch one of the community’s most significant redevelopment efforts in decades, reinforcing SGBC’s commitment to responsible lending and meaningful public–private partnerships.

Jay is also deeply involved in efforts to strengthen and beautify local communities. He collaborates with Adel Main Street on streetscape and beautification initiatives and participates in several organizations focused on native gardens and plant cultivation. These activities reflect his belief that hands-on involvement and environmental stewardship help create vibrant, thriving places to live and work.

At the heart of Jay’s work is a genuine passion for building lasting relationships. He values the opportunity to support neighbors, local businesses, and families, emphasizing that community banking is about making decisions that truly matter close to home.

Outside the bank, Jay and his family share a love for gardening, maintaining an expansive collection of more than 1,000 varieties of daylilies, irises, and other plants. Their garden is recognized as an official Display Garden for the National Daylily Association and will serve as a tour garden for the Association’s 50th National Convention in 2026. For Jay, gardening is a source of joy, pride, and connection, another way he contributes to the beauty and spirit of his community.