Thillen Education Foundation Welcomes Banksouth as a New Business Partner

For Immediate Release:
December 15, 2023

Media Contact:
Bryce McCuin, Marketing Manager
[email protected]
706-454-2319

GREENSBORO, GA  – Thillen Education Foundation (TEF) is delighted to announce the addition of BankSouth to their esteemed list of business partners. The partnership of TEF with Greene College & Career Academy (GCCA) along with a growing list of education, community and business partners marks a significant step forward in the shared commitment to ending generational poverty in Greene County, Georgia.

For several years, TEF and GCCA have been working diligently with various educational and community partners, such as Greene County High School, Athens Technical College, Greene County Habitat for Humanity, Atlas Ministries, Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, The Victory Train, and Goizueta Business School at Emory University. These collaborations aim to provide comprehensive support and resources to the local community and students attending GCCA at Greene County High School.

BankSouth joins a distinguished group of TEF business partners, including Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, Gypsum Management & Supply, and Ernst & Young. These partners have made a substantial impact on the students served by TEF through initiatives like pro bono foundation formation, making connections as well as funding Salesforce software development and license contracts, and providing assets including a 14-passenger mini-school bus and granite-top conference room tables.

The Board of Directors of BankSouth, chaired by Harold Reynolds, demonstrated their commitment to the community by making a generous $10,000 contribution. Reynolds, who also serves as Chairman of the Georgia Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, expressed his appreciation for the transformative work undertaken by the 180 volunteer career coaches involved with TEF. “As a lifelong resident of Greene County, it’s thrilling to see the outcomes Greene County high school students are accomplishing, through the commitment of so many volunteers engaged with the Thillen Foundation program,“ said Harold Reynolds, President and CEO of BankSouth.

John Ellenberg, GCCA CEO, Marjorie Ellis, Career Coaching Coordinator, Harold Reynolds, BankSouth CEO, Dave Thillen, TEF Founder, Joseph Nesbit, Ag Teacher and GCCA students.

TEF, with its goal to uplift the lives of the 600 students served thus far and many more to follow, is invigorated by the tremendous support from volunteers and contributors in the community. “BankSouth, with its track record of community involvement, resources and local future employment opportunities will help empower students and TEF volunteers to change things for the better toward a bright future for everyone,” commented Thillen.

Based in Greensboro, GA, the 501(c)(3) Thillen Education Foundation (TEF) is a distinguished community-based earned financial assistance program based on personal coaching and committed to honoring the achievements of 600 students participating in Greene College & Career Academy career coaching program at Greene County High School, a Title I school. Through business sponsorships and funding support, TEF strives to end generational poverty by financially enabling post-secondary education and skills training for hardworking students.

Learn more at www.thilleneducationfoundation.com

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About BankSouth

Today, BankSouth is a leading community bank headquartered at Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia, and is recognized as a top-performing bank nationwide. With over $1 billion in assets, BankSouth serves customers with branches in Atlanta, Greensboro, Savannah, Watkinsville, and beyond with a full suite of consumer, commercial and digital banking and lending products. Currently, BankSouth Mortgage originates over $2.0 billion in home loans with more than 60 experienced loan officers across their twelve locations. For BankSouth locations and more information, please visit banksouth.com.

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