CBA LEAD Board Charts an Ambitious Course for 2026

The CBA LEAD Board convened November 3–4 in Atlanta for a highly productive planning session, hosted at the ICBA Innovation Center in Midtown Atlanta by our partners at the Independent Community Bankers Association. The group rolled up their sleeves to update committee bylaws and set a clear vision for the year ahead.

Focused on strengthening Georgia’s community banking talent pipeline and member experience, the Board identified key priorities in four core areas: member engagement, talent acquisition, financial literacy, and advocacy. Their work will drive new initiatives and expanded opportunities for growth, collaboration, and leadership development across the CBA membership.

The LEAD Board also kicked off planning for one of its signature programs — the annual LEAD On event — the premier leadership experience for emerging community bank leaders in Georgia.

Save the Date! LEAD On 2026 will take place June 11–12, 2026 on beautiful Jekyll Island!

Thank you to the dedicated LEAD Board members for their commitment and leadership as we continue to advance and celebrate community banking statewide. CBA also thanks BEVYTEC/CashTrans for sponsoring the LEAD Board dinner and breakfast.

If you are interested in learning more about the LEAD Board, please reach out to Becky Soto becky@cbaofga.com 

LEAD Board Members:

Mark Thompson                Chairman                                Glennville Bank

Jay Funderburke               Chair-Elect                             South Georgia Banking Company

Linda Smith                          1st Vice Chair                        Embassy National Bank

Michelle Dixon                   2nd Vice Chair                      Century Bank & Trust

Heather Stephens            Executive At Large              Bank of Dade

Jonathan Pope                    Immediate Past Chair       Exchange Bank

Jessica Hudson                 Member at Large                  First National Bank of Coffee County

Josh Osborne                    Member at Large                  Colony Bank

Kevin Jones                        Member at Large                  Oconee State Bank

Scott Henderson             Member at Large                  Planters First Bank

Taylor Jenkins                   Member at Large                  Flint Community Bank

Troy Poulin                         Member at Large                  The Claxton Bank

LEAD Advisory Members:

Jason Rooks                       Div Chair                                  Flint Community Bank

Jonathon Guthrie           Div Chair                                  The Peoples Bank

Kenny Dray                        Div Chair                                  BankSouth

Thomas Bennett             Member at Large                Pineland Bank