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Each year, BankSouth holds Kickoff to do one thing: create clarity.
But before strategy is discussed and numbers are reviewed, it starts with something simpler, bringing our people together. Across markets and departments, Kickoff gives us time to reconnect, share perspectives, and strengthen the relationships that make strong teamwork possible.
It is our annual leadership and team summit where performance is reviewed, priorities are set, and expectations are made visible across the entire organization. In a growing, multi- market community bank, that alignment matters.
Kickoff 2026 was not about celebration alone. It was about accountability and forward motion.
Kickoff exists to answer three questions clearly:
It brings together lenders, branch teams, operations, support functions, and leadership to ensure that strategy is not isolated at the top but understood across the organization.
For our customers and communities, that alignment translates into consistency, reliability, and disciplined growth.
Kickoff 2026 marked our first all hands gathering since the acquisition of State Bank of Cochran.
We formally welcomed team members from Cochran, Dublin, Dexter, and Wrightsville — bringing colleagues together face to face for the first of many times to come.
This moment mattered for more than symbolism. It signaled the beginning of deeper collaboration across markets, shared strategy across regions, and a stronger collective capacity to serve middle Georgia while preserving local decision-making.
Kickoff also served as a transparent review of 2025 execution.
Highlights included:
These were not presented as isolated projects. They were framed as coordinated improvements designed to reduce friction, improve responsiveness, and support sustainable growth.
Kickoff remains the forum where BankSouth defines what excellence looks like across the organization. Colleagues nominate peers who demonstrate meaningful impact, live out our Ready, Responsive, Respectful values, and make measurable contributions to customers, teammates, and operational strength.
This award recognizes consistent, exemplary customer focused behavior across roles.
Connie George was recognized for stepping in wherever needed, particularly supporting loan operations during increased demand, while maintaining the positive energy and dependability her team relies on.
Claudia Rodriguez was honored for being the trusted “go to” teammate who not only supports customers with excellence, but also proactively identifies risk — including recognizing red flags in potential elder financial exploitation and taking decisive, well documented action to protect customers and the Bank.
Abigail was recognized for her leadership in fraud prevention and operational resilience. She spearheaded the development of structured fraud tracking, strengthened reporting transparency, built cross department collaboration, and partnered on the “Stop, Think, Call” awareness campaign. Her work has measurably improved risk visibility while protecting customer assets and Bank resources.
This award recognizes excellence in support roles that strengthen the broader organization. Zack was honored for his responsiveness, reliability, and willingness to step in beyond the scope of his marketing role to ensure projects and initiatives are executed accurately.
Introduced this year, the Efficiency Award recognizes the team or individual who most positively impacts resource utilization, productivity, and customer service.
The Loan Servicing Team implemented the Loan Servicing Desk without additional staff or cost, handled thousands of customer calls, maintained a low error rate, supported collateral transitions, improved workflow processes, and contributed to increased e-statement adoption. Their work directly strengthened service while protecting efficiency.
Clint was recognized for rapid growth and meaningful contribution. From an internship to a fulltime team member, he has driven implementation of DOMO reporting, proactively partnering with departments to improve access to actionable data. His approach reflects ownership, accountability, and forward-thinking execution.
This award recognizes the highest loan production of 2025. Jake was honored not only for volume, but for his continued development as a Relationship Manager, taking on increased responsibility and demonstrating confidence in managing and presenting complex relationships.
Customer Care was recognized for exemplary teamwork during a year of major transitions, including consumer checking conversion, acquisition integration, and new phone system rollout. Handling 9,000 to 10,000 calls per month with professionalism and poise, the team demonstrated operational strength under pressure.
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The Chairman’s Award is presented to the individual who best lives out Being Ready, Responsive, and Respectful, and whose service meaningfully benefits BankSouth. Two recipients were honored this year — a reflection of exceptional leadership and example setting influence. Their work embodies the standard that defines our culture.
Kickoff also recognized team members whose long-term commitment continues to shape BankSouth’s stability and culture.
Kickoff 2026 also featured leadership expert and speaker Adam Mendler, who challenged the room to think differently about personal impact and professional growth. His message centered on the idea that success is not built by trying to fix every weakness, but by understanding and fully leveraging the strengths that make each person uniquely effective. Mendler encouraged attendees to identify their “superpower” — the combination of strengths, experiences, and perspective that allows them to create the greatest value.
He also emphasized that insight alone is not enough. Growth requires action. Waiting for perfect timing or complete clarity can stall progress. Instead, Mendler encouraged the team to move forward, take initiative, and build relationships that create new opportunities. His message reinforced a core theme of the day: progress happens when strengths are paired with action.
Kickoff 2026 reinforced a focused path forward:
The emphasis was clear. Tools support the mission. Execution drives results. People remain central.
Kickoff was not about headlines.
It was about setting expectations and ensuring that every market, every team, and every leader is aligned around the same direction.
With expanded reach and a strengthened operational foundation, BankSouth enters 2026 positioned to serve Georgia communities with scale, consistency, and accountability.
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