TIFTON — At the annual shareholders’ meeting, held May 25, South Georgia Bank Holding Company announced the addition of two new members to the company’s board of directors.  Glenn Willis and Brian Ponder were recently appointed to the board which expands the number to 13 members.

“We are pleased to welcome Glenn and Brian to the South Georgia Bank Holding Company board,” said Pait Willis, chairman and CEO. “They both bring a unique perspective, knowledge, and wisdom that will further enhance the strength of our existing board of directors.” 

Glenn Willis is the president of South Georgia Banking Company, a position he has held since 2007.

He began his banking career in 1985.

A native of Tift County, Glenn Willis graduated from Tift County High School, furthered his education at University of Georgia and returned home with a passion for local business, community development and agriculture.

Glenn is active in legislative and leadership roles with the Georgia Bankers Association, currently serving on the GBA Insurance Trust Board or Directors, GBA Board of Directors, the Community Banks Committee and the Public Affairs Committee.

Locally, Glenn volunteers in a variety of capacities, including board positions with the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage and is a member of the ABAC Alumni Association, ABAC President’s Club, Tifton Rotary and the American Cancer Society.

He is a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Tifton where he teaches a sixth grade Sunday school class and participates in the adult Sanctuary Choir.

Along with his wife Karen, Glenn is most proud of his son, Austin, a United States Navy Sailor and his daughter Amanda Lowe. Amanda and her husband Johnny Lowe are expecting their first child in August.

Brian Ponder is the co-owner and operator of the family farm, Pond-O-Gold, in Omega where he and his brother, Ken, manage 3,000 acres of timber and farmland. 

Their farming operation consists of 1,200 acres of cotton, 650 acres of peanuts, 300 acres of corn and 120 acres of watermelon.

“It is truly an honor to be invited to serve on the South Georgia Bank board of directors,” said Ponder.

“I look forward to serving an organization that has grown from assets of $40 thousand in the beginning to over $460 million today and as a steward for shareholders and employees interest. I am thankful to be a part of a local institution whose ownership remains in and around the Tift area and the decision making process is still made right here at home by local people.”

Ponder is a past winner of the Tift County Farmer of the Year Award, 2007 ABAC Alumnus Master Farmer of the Year and a recipient of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservationist of the Year Award.

Ponder currently serves as a district supervisor for the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Committee, Tift County Farm Bureau director and is on the board of trustees with Road Less Traveled Ministries in Tifton.

He is a very proud member of Union Grove Church where he attends with his wife Missy and their children, Victoria and Cy.

“In the last 47 years, it’s been exciting to see the bank evolve and expand while intentionally keeping our roots deep in the communities we serve,” said Pait Willis. “The addition of Glenn and Brian will certainly add to the depth of our leadership and I am eager to watch where we grow from here.”