Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation has announced plans to restructure lines of responsibility in its subsidiary, Southwest Georgia Bank, in order to facilitate the continued expansion of its footprint and the growth of the company, bank officials said.

The company also announced the retirement of C. Wallace Sansbury, executive vice president, and the promotion of R.L. “Andy” Webb Jr. to executive vice president of Southwest Georgia Bank and appointment to chief credit officer of the bank.

Both announcements were made in a press release sent to The Observer on Wednesday.

DeWitt Drew, president and CEO of Southwest Georgia Financial, commented, “Southwest Georgia Bank now operates in three very distinct and diverse markets, and we continue to increase the range and depth of our products, processes and risks. Our continued growth necessitates a restructuring of responsibilities that will allow us to more effectively serve customers across diverse markets, allow better systems for risk management, and facilitate more efficient lines of communication. Appointing a president for each market we serve signifies the importance of each market to our organization and provides for direct accountability for the quality of service we provide.”

The positions created in restructuring the company’s subsidiary, Southwest Georgia Bank, are chief operating officer, chief banking officer, chief credit officer, and region president. John J. Cole Jr., executive vice president and cashier, has been appointed chief operating officer. Jeffery E. Hanson, executive vice president, has been appointed chief banking officer. Senior vice presidents Danny E. Singley, Jeffrey Judson Moritz, and David L. Shiver have been appointed President Moultrie Region, President Valdosta Region, and President Sylvester Region, respectively.

R. L. “Andy” Webb Jr., has been promoted to executive vice president of Southwest Georgia Bank and appointed chief credit officer of the bank. He has been employed with the bank since 1975, and most recently served as senior vice president and head of the Moultrie Banking Division.

C. Wallace Sansbury will retire at the end of 2011 completing a 45-year career in banking. He most recently served as executive vice president of Southwest Georgia Bank and Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation since 2006. During the 10 years prior to 2006, he served as head of the commercial and agricultural credit division and as manager of the financial institutions department. Sansbury’s banking experience also includes 27 years with Citizens and Southern National Bank in Valdosta, Albany and Moultrie, as well as three years with Regions Bank in Ellijay, Ga.

“Wallace was a key member of our team; his insights, leadership, and expertise greatly benefited Southwest Georgia Financial throughout his 15 years with us,” Drew said. “I would like to thank Wallace for his many contributions during that time, and wish him well in his upcoming retirement.”