July 2013 ~ Peoples Bank

Ashley Jones Promotion

Veteran bank marketer, Ashley Jones, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President at Peoples Bank, Magee, according to bank President and CEO Dennis Ammann. Ms. Jones, who began working with the bank on a part-time basis in 1995, most recently served as a Business Development Officer in addition to her marketing duties.

She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned her degree in Communications. Transitioning to a full-time position in 1998, Jones began her career in New Accounts as a Customer Service Representative. In her current role, she is responsible for Peoples Bank’s marketing and advertising efforts, a responsibility Ammann termed “a key element in our ability to communicate with customers and prospective customers.”

Ms. Jones is active in a host of civic endeavors, including serving on the Executive Board of Directors for Keep Simpson County Beautiful. She serves as Assistant Director for Magee’s Miss Hospitality Program and is a Youth Small Group Leader at First Baptist Church, Magee. She is a graduate of the Simpson County Leadership Program and a former president of the Magee Chamber of Commerce.

She and her husband, Kelly, have two children: Mollie and Thomas.

“In our role as a true community bank, the lines of communication we share with our customers and our communities is vital,” Amman said. “I commend Ashley on her promotion and look forward to her continued leadership in our marketing program.”

Rene Jones Promotion

In a move that reflects the banking industry’s focus on new technologies and electronic access to accounts, Peoples Bank President and CEO Dennis Ammann today announced that Rene’ Jones has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, eBanking.

Ms. Jones is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where she earned her degree in Banking and Finance. Prior to joining Peoples Bank in 1998, she worked as a Teller and Customer Service Representative. Since joining Peoples Bank, she has worked in a variety of positions from Teller to Poultry Lending Assistant and in the Information Technologies Department. Currently, she serves as Security and Fraud Prevention Officer, Debit Card Manager and eBanking Manager.

She and her husband, David, have three children: Zac, Katie and Zane.

“We believe it is important to supplement our personal service with leading-edge technologies that make life easier for our customers,” Ammann said. “I am pleased to announce Rene’s promotion as a measure of Peoples Bank’s commitment to providing account access at our customers’ fingertips through electronic banking. Our customers will be in great hands with Rene’s knowledge and experience.”

Jacob Blakeney Joins Peoples Bank

President and CEO Dennis Ammann today announced that Jacob Blakeney has joined Peoples Bank as a Loan Officer in the bank’s Magee Office.

A 1998 graduate of Simpson Academy, Blakeney attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College prior to attending Mississippi State University, where he earned his degree in Business Administration in 2003. While in college, Blakeney was a baseball player and subsequently played in the Atlanta Braves organization in the minor leagues.

For the past five years, he has worked as an educator and coached baseball, with his last season at Mendenhall High School. He is a member of First United Methodist Church in Magee, where he serves on the Staff Parish Committee.

Blakeney and his wife, the former Amanda Tutor, have one daughter, Annmarie.

“I am pleased to announce that Jacob has joined the Peoples Bank team,” Ammann said. “As a lifetime resident of Simpson County, he knows our communitiy well and is well-known. I am confident our customers will benefit by his presence and abilities.”

Becky Howell Promotion

Peoples Bank President and CEO Dennis Ammann today announced that long-time banker Becky Howell has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Operations.

Over the course of the past 26 years, Ms. Howell has been affiliated with Peoples Bank, serving in a wide array of capacities including Teller, Customer Service Representative, Bookkeeping, Proof Operator, Loan Assistant, Purchasing and as Collection Officer.

She has completed a number of banking courses and attended numerous seminars during her tenure at the bank, and is a member of the Mendenhall Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Steve, are members of Oak Grove Baptist Church and they have one daughter, Natalie.

“I am pleased to announce Becky’s promotion within our Operations Department,” Ammann said. “She has been a valuable member of our banking team for many years and is deserving of her new title. Her work in Operations is one that is out of the public eye, but nonetheless essential to the delivery of our brand of service.”