On the Road Again: John McNair’s South Georgia Tour

There’s nothing quite like a summer road trip—and for CBA of Georgia President & CEO John McNair, the destination was clear: South Georgia, home to some of the state’s most well-run, people-first community banks.

Over the past month, John has been crisscrossing the region, meeting with bank leaders, catching up with staff, and getting a firsthand look at what makes Georgia’s community banks so successful. His travel essentials? A Chick-fil-A sandwich, a Dunkin’ coffee, and reliable A/C—absolutely critical with the heat index pushing over 100 degrees.

“These visits have been energizing,” John shared. “From conversations about health insurance and technology to deep dives on education and employee training needs, our banks are laser-focused on serving their communities and preparing for what’s next.”

Throughout the journey, John was struck by the diversity of the banks—different asset sizes, different markets—but all united by a shared commitment to service and excellence. “I’ve visited banks of all sizes, and they all prove that you don’t need to be big to be successful,” he said. “It’s not about scale—it’s about leadership, values, and people.”

His biggest takeaway? Georgia’s community banks are thriving—not despite today’s challenges, but because of the strength of their management, boards, and staff. “Great folks doing great things in their local communities.”