Employee Highlights Archives - Page 3 of 5 - River City Bank

Blog Category: Employee Highlights

Ella Givens Joins River City Bank as Marketing & Community Relations Manager

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

River City Bank is pleased to welcome Ella Givens as Marketing and Community Relations Manager. In this role, Ella will support the strategic marketing initiatives for River City Bank through digital and print media, as well as community and public relations.

“I am excited to have Ella join our River City Bank team,” said Jennifer Selman, Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing. “She is a strategic thinker and is highly collaborative, which makes her a great cultural fit.”

A Rome native, Ella has a passion for people and is active in our local community. She is a member of the Rome Floyd Chamber’s Young Professionals and enjoys volunteering with local civic and non-profit organizations. 

Jamie Tallent, President & CEO, stated, “We are delighted that Ella has joined our team here at River City Bank. She is an excellent addition to our company. Ella will be an integral part of our marketing team and the timing of her hire is planned precisely with our continued expansion efforts across North Georgia.”

Ella attended The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing. In her free time, she enjoys art, home improvement projects, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Connie Mathis Promoted to Executive Vice President

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

River City Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Connie Mathis to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, recognizing her two decades of exceptional service and leadership since joining the bank at its inception in 2006.

As River City Bank’s first employee, Mathis has played a pivotal role in the institution’s growth and long-term success. Over the years, she has held several critical leadership positions, including Human Resources Director, Chief Operating Officer, Information Security Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. As the organization has matured, Mathis has been able to focus her expertise exclusively on the CFO role, where she continues to provide strategic financial leadership and guidance to the executive team and Board of Directors.

“Connie has been the backbone of River City Bank since day one,” said Matt Robbins, President & CEO of River City Bank. “Her unwavering dedication, financial expertise, and leadership have helped guide our growth from a startup to the thriving community bank we are today. This promotion reflects the vital role she continues to play in our future success.”

“Connie’s commitment to River City Bank is unparalleled,” added Scott Smith, Chairman of River City Bank’s Board of Directors. “She has worn many hats throughout the years and excelled in every role. Her deep understanding of our operations, combined with her strategic financial vision, makes her an invaluable member of our executive leadership team.”

Mathis holds an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business and Accounting from Kentucky Wesleyan College. She is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and was named a Graduate with Distinction by the Georgia Bankers Association Audit and Operations School. She also completed Leadership Rome through the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.

Active in the community, Mathis currently serves as an Executive Officer of the Rome Home Builders Association. Her past leadership roles include having served as Treasurer and Publicist for the Midday Optimist Cub, as well as President and Treasurer of the PTO and a member of the Local School Governance Team for Floyd County Schools.

River City Named Best Bank 2021

Friday, October 29, 2021

River City Bank is honored to be recognized at the Best of Rome 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards. There’s no bigger compliment than having our very own community supporting our bank and awesome team members!

We took home first place awards for BEST BANK and BEST MORTGAGE SERVICES! Our very own Rob Masters, Wealth Advisor, won BEST FINANCIAL CONSULTANT.

 

Additionally, we want to congratulate:

Angie Beard, Runner Up – Best Banker
David Mullinax, 3rd Place – Best Banker
Kathi Watson, Runner Up – Best Mortgage Lender
Kitty Barton, Runner Up – Best Financial Consultant

Thank you to everyone who voted for us!

Madison Wilder Joins RCB Wealth Management as Financial Representative

Friday, May 5, 2023

River City Bank and LPL Financial are pleased to announce the addition of Madison Wilder as Financial Representative with the RCB Wealth Management team. In this role, Madison will work directly with clients to determine their financial needs and recommend customized financial solutions.

Prior to joining RCB Wealth Management, Madison was a Financial Representative with Fidelity Investments as well as a Retirement Specialist with Cornerstone Wealth Advisory, both located in Charleston, South Carolina. Madison completed an internship with River City Bank during her final semester of college and subsequently began her career as a Loan Operations Specialist following graduation in 2021.

Kitty Barton, SVP and Director of RCB Wealth Management commented, “Our team is excited to bring Madison back to her hometown for the next stage of her career. She will be a great resource in helping our clients achieve financial success.”

Madison is a Rome native and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Berry College. She holds multiple licenses and certifications, including FINRA Securities Industry Essentials, FINRA Series 7, and FINRA Series 63, as well as Life, Accident, & Health or Sickness Insurance License.

Jamie Tallent, President and CEO of River City Bank, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Madison to the RCB Wealth Management group. She is an excellent addition to the team and her knowledge and skills will be instrumental in helping us continue to provide exceptional services and support to our clients.”

LPL Financial is the nation’s leading provider of third-party investment services to banks and credit unions, offering insurance and investment services to approximately 800 banks and credit unions nationwide*. LPL provides personalized support, a robust, integrated technology platform, investment solutions and practice management resources that enable the delivery of objective financial advice.

*Top RIA custodian (Cerulli Associates, 2019 U.S. RIA Marketplace Report); No. 1 Independent Broker-Dealer in the U.S. (Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine); No. 1 provide of third-party brokerage services to banks and credit unions (2020-2022 Kehrer Bielan Research & Consulting Annual TPM Report); Fortune 500 as of June 2021.

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. River City Bank and RCB Financial Services are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using RCB Financial Services and may also be employees of River City Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of River City Bank or RCB Financial Services. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

Not Insured by FDIC or Any Other Government Agency | Not Bank Guaranteed | Not Bank Deposits or Obligations |  May Lose Value

Reece Sanford Named 2026 SBA Main Street Lender Professional of the Year

Monday, February 23, 2026

River City Bank is pleased to announce that Reece Sanford, Senior Vice President & Director of Government Guaranteed Lending, has received one of the SBA lending industry’s most meaningful honors. The Coleman Report has named Sanford its 2026 SBA Main Street Lender Professional of the Year — a national recognition that celebrates SBA lenders who go beyond production numbers to make a real difference for small businesses and the communities they serve.

The Coleman Report presents this award annually to an individual lender who exemplifies excellence in serving true “Main Street” businesses — small, community-rooted companies that are the backbone of local economies. Recipients are selected for their combination of strong SBA production, hands-on execution, sound credit judgment, and a genuine commitment to connecting entrepreneurs with capital that might otherwise be out of reach. The award places particular emphasis on lenders who work directly with business owners in underserved and rural markets, and whose transactions preserve jobs, support local economies, and strengthen community banks.

Working through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s lending programs, Sanford partners closely with business owners across North Georgia and surrounding markets to structure financing solutions that fuel growth, enable expansion, and create lasting opportunity.

“Reece embodies what it means to be a true Main Street lender,” said Matt Robbins, President & CEO of River City Bank. “He has a genuine passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed, and his commitment to serving small businesses — especially those in rural and underserved communities — directly strengthens the local economies we are proud to call home. We are incredibly proud to see him recognized nationally for the work he does every day.”

This recognition emphasizes River City Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and delivering relationship-driven banking solutions tailored to the needs of their local communities.

Jennifer Selman completes Graduate School of Banking at LSU

Friday, July 12, 2019

River City Bank is proud to announce that Jennifer M. Selman, Assistant Vice President & Retail Banking Manager has completed the Graduate School of Banking program at Louisiana State University.

“The Graduate School of Banking at LSU is considered one of the most prestigious banking schools in the country, and we are thrilled Jennifer was able to represent River City Bank with her time there,” said River City Bank CEO Jamie Tallent. “The knowledge she has gained through this experience will be invaluable to the bank as we continue to drive value with our unique culture while creating an environment that will facilitate superior customer service, attract great talent, and achieving top-quartile financial performance. We as a company are so proud of her dedication and perseverance over the last three years.”

Selman brings more than 25 years of experience to her position at River City Bank, as well as a BS in Marketing and Management from Berry College.   In her current role at the bank, Jennifer manages the bank’s retail division, with additional responsibilities for cash management and marketing. She is actively involved in the community, serving as President of the Chiaha Guild of Arts and Crafts and is a Board Member of the Coosa Valley Tennis Association. She is a 2007 graduate of the Rome Floyd Chamber’s Leadership Rome program. Jennifer and her husband, Kevin, and their son, Cooper, are lifelong residents of Rome.

For over a half century, the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University has been a major provider of advanced financial education in the United States. The program is presented by the Southern States Conference at Louisiana State University and sponsored by 15 southern State Bankers Associations. Sessions for the three-year program are held each spring on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, and students are expected to complete extensive bank study assignments in between. The School’s purpose is to fill the need for graduate level study by bank officers and others meeting admission requirements leading toward a broader knowledge and understanding of major banking functions.

Jamie Tallent Installed as Board Member of the Georgia Bankers Association

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

ATLANTA – Jamie C. Tallent, President and CEO of River City Bank in Rome, has been elected by his peers in north Georgia to serve a three-year term on the board of directors of the Georgia Bankers Association (GBA).

“We are delighted to welcome Jamie to the GBA board, and we look forward to benefiting from his wealth of experience and insight for the betterment of the industry and, most importantly, the communities, families and businesses that Georgia’s banks serve,” said Kim Wilson, GBA chairman and president and CEO of OneSouth Bank in Macon.

Tallent has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry. He joined River City Bank as president and CEO in 2019 after having served in high level positions with several banks.

Tallent earned his B.B.A. in accounting and finance from Mercer University’s Stetson School of Business and Economics. He is also a 1999 graduate of the Georgia Banking School.

Active with the association, Tallent has long been a member of the GBA BankPAC Board of Directors.

About the Georgia Bankers Association: Founded in 1892, the Georgia Bankers Association promotes the general welfare and usefulness of banking and the preservation of a sound banking system. For 131 years, GBA has been the resource that empowers Georgia’s banks, providing effective government relations and public advocacy, a community of professional peers, top-quality education and professional development, and revenue-enhancing products and services.

River City Bank Announces Expansion into Bartow County with New Loan Producion Office

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

River City Bank is pleased to announce its expansion into Bartow County, Georgia, with the opening of a new Loan Production Office (LPO) at 29 Collins Drive in Cartersville in the coming months. This strategic growth initiative marks an exciting milestone for the bank as it enters a vibrant and rapidly developing market. It also comes as River City Bank celebrates 20 years of serving the communities of Northwest Georgia — a testament to the trust and loyalty of the customers and communities that have supported the bank since its founding in Rome in 2006. As part of this expansion, River City Bank has welcomed three experienced banking professionals with longstanding ties to the Bartow County community.

David Caswell joins River City Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Market President for the Bartow County/Cartersville market. With more than 25 years of executive banking experience, Caswell has built a distinguished career leading high-performing community banks, serving in roles including President, Chief Operating Officer, and Board Member. He has a proven track record of driving operational excellence, building strong teams, and delivering results that consistently outperform peer institutions. Caswell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. A dedicated community servant, he has served on numerous non-profit and governmental boards and currently serves on the Georgia Highlands College Foundation Board of Trustees and on the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Jay Slaughter, a Cartersville native, joins River City Bank as Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager. Slaughter began his banking career in 2011 and has earned a strong reputation as a trusted commercial lender and relationship manager in the Cartersville market. He has extensive experience in commercial lending and business banking. Slaughter is a graduate of Kennesaw State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, and is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Jay is very active in the Cartersville community and has served in multiple volunteer and board positions.

Jenna Price joins the bank as Relationship Manager Assistant, bringing more than 20 years of banking experience, most of which has been spent serving customers in the Cartersville market. Her background includes retail branch management, loan operations, and loan processing, giving her a well-rounded understanding of customer needs.

The Cartersville Loan Production Office will initially focus on commercial, mortgage, and consumer lending. River City Bank intends to convert the LPO into a full-service branch within the next 12 months, reflecting its long-term commitment to serving the families and businesses of North Georgia.

“Bartow County is a thriving market, and we have been intentional about building the right team to serve it well,” said Matt Robbins, President & CEO of River City Bank. “David, Jay, and Jenna are respected professionals who are deeply connected to this community, and they embody the values of integrity, relationship-driven service, and local commitment that River City Bank was built on. We look forward to bringing our community bank to Cartersville.”

Sarah Greer promoted to Assistant Vice President

Friday, July 12, 2019

River City Bank is proud to announce that Sarah Greer has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of Deposit Operations. Sarah joined the bank’s retail team in 2007 as a Community Banking Associate. She quickly transitioned into Deposit Operations in 2008 and was named Deposit Operations Manager in 2011. Sarah’s role reflects her experience and expertise in the critical areas of operational controls and financial risk. As a member of the bank’s management team she plays a key role in managing the bank’s operational risk while supporting the needs of our clients and staff.

“As we begin to move into the next phase of the bank’s development, it is important that we recognize the hard work, and critical risk skills that Sarah brings to bank operations,” says Connie Williams, CFO. “Her promotion is well-deserved and hard-earned.   River City Bank would not be the company we are today were it not for her contributions.”

“Outstanding service is a cornerstone of our business model, and Sarah consistently provides that service both internally and externally as Deposit Operations Manager,” stated Jamie Tallent, President and CEO. “She uses her in-depth knowledge to solve problems quickly, to introduce new initiatives, and to drive innovation for our organization. Sarah is capable, confident and committed to our mission of extraordinary customer service, and I am pleased to recognize her promotion.”

Sarah holds an Accounting diploma from Appalachian Technical College. She, her husband Rick and daughter Kylie are Cave Spring residents. Sarah and her family enjoy the outdoors, especially hiking and rock-climbing.

River City Bank Announces Officer Promotions

Monday, November 20, 2023

River City Bank is proud to announce the promotions of Angie Beard to Senior Vice President, Senior Personal Banker, and Kathi Watson to Vice President, Mortgage Loan Officer.

Angie Beard has been an integral part of River City Bank since 2006, joining the team as one of its first employees. Over the past seventeen years, her contributions have played a significant role in the company’s success. With over 40 years of community banking experience and a lifelong resident of Rome and Floyd County, she has established herself as a highly trusted and respected banking professional.

Ms. Beard serves on the board of directors as Treasurer for the Heart of the Community Foundation, is actively involved with the Rome Floyd Chamber, and was recently voted by her peers as the 2023 Best Banker in the “Best of Rome” awards presented by the Rome News Tribune. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her six grandchildren, and taking trips to the beach. 

Kathi Watson joined River City Bank in 2008, serving in several key positions before joining the mortgage lending team in 2017. Having excelled throughout her fifteen years with RCB, she is best known for delivering exceptional and personable service to clients looking to purchase or refinance their homes.

Ms. Watson serves on the board of directors as 2nd Vice President of the Coosa Valley Fair Association, is a board member and Secretary for the Exchange Club of Rome, and the Fine Arts Director of the Coosa Valley Fair. She is a member of the Rome Board of Realtors Association and was recently voted by her peers as the 2023 Best Mortgage Lender in the “Best of Rome” awards presented by the Rome News Tribune. In her free time, Ms. Watson enjoys knitting, DIY projects, crafts, furniture refinishing classes, and giving back to her communities through volunteer service.

“Both Angie and Kathi exemplify our “Expect More” standard for community banking,” stated Jamie Tallent, President and CEO of River City Bank. “Their dedication to providing personalized service and building meaningful relationships with our customers is truly commendable, and we are pleased to recognize their longtime commitment to River City Bank through these worthy promotions.”