Vol. 16 | Fall 2024
Peach State Bank Braselton Taking Shape
New Building Should Be Completed In Early 2025
The new Peach State Braselton Bank is bordered by Friendship Road and Thompson Mill Road in Braselton.
Peach State Bank Braselton is becoming a brick-and-mortar reality. Construction has started on the 10,000 square-foot building with completion targeted for early 2025. Peach State Bank Braselton, which will have 12-15 employees, will be strategically located on Friendship Road, bordered by Thompson Mill Road and Deaton Creek Parkway. The bank is in the heart of the medical community, approximately a half mile west of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton.
“We are thrilled about our new location in Braselton, especially given our proximity to the Braselton hospital and the numerous surrounding medical offices and residential communities,” President & CEO Ron Quinn said. “Our goal is to continue to bring the same hometown spirit and personalized community banking that we are renowned for in Gainesville to the residents of Braselton and nearby neighborhoods such as Chateau Elan, Deaton Creek, and Reunion.”
Since 2021, Peach State Bank has been serving the Braselton community from a leased building just off Hwy. 211. However, our new branch will offer a much greater presence in the heart of a bustling medical, business, and residential corridor. The bank’s prime location will be surrounded by an “Avalon-style” mixed-use development, which is expected to become a retail cornerstone in the region.
Like our headquarters in Gainesville, the Braselton bank will offer our innovative “universal banking” concept which features a modern, open lobby setting where we’ve eliminated traditional teller windows and waiting in line.
As customers enter the bank, they are immediately greeted by friendly staff whom we’ve cross-trained to handle multiple services from depositing a check or assisting with online banking to opening a new account. This approach makes for faster, more efficient trips to the bank.
While we have only had a bank in Braselton for three years, our team there is well-respected and connected to Braselton and the surrounding area. All have worked or lived in the market for many years.
“We have already created strong customer relationships in the community,” said David Dyer, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending in Braselton. “Our bank is invested and established in Braselton. Now we will have a permanent home.”
LOCAL WINDOW ON THE ECONOMY
‘Little Big Town’
Braselton on Path to Big-City Greatness
President & CEO
Peach State Bank
The Town of Braselton, as billed by government leaders, may need to rethink its brand.
With feet inside four different counties, including Hall’s southern tip, Braselton is well on its way to becoming a major North Georgia city. And many would say it’s already there.
For perspective, Gainesville remains the economic powerhouse to the north with its longtime status as a financial and retail center. Gainesville’s population hovers around 48,000 (and likely higher due to a large uncounted sector), while Braselton is less than a third in size with about 15,000. Gainesville is home to 18 banks, while Braselton only has four.
A comparison of household wealth reveals another great divide. However, it is Braselton on the higher end of the scale with median income above $110,000 per household compared to $57,000 in Gainesville.
As the data reveals, the two communities have long been in different orbits despite their proximity to each other. Braselton is also more tied to South Hall and Atlanta, while Gainesville is a corporate and retail magnet pulling northward to the mountain communities of Dahlonega, Cleveland and beyond.
Braselton and Gainesville’s distant relationship with each other may be changing, however. A big reason is the Northeast Georgia Health System, which established a new flagship hospital in Braselton in 2015.
The Braselton hospital is already expanding again, tripling its emergency department, adding more floors and operating rooms, and increasing its current 188-bed count to 284 by 2026. In addition, the healthcare system has opened new outpatient surgery and cancer treatment centers along the Friendship Road corridor. Meanwhile, the Gainesville hospital is closer to opening its new 11-story patient tower.
The simultaneous growth has created cross-migration between the two hospitals that is more closely connecting residents of Gainesville and Braselton – a growing trend that will be interesting to watch.
Batman actress once lit up the town
Some give credit to actress Kim Basinger, a star in Batman and other hit movies, as among the first to see Braselton’s potential. She certainly put it on the map, making national headlines in 1989 when she purchased the majority of what was portrayed back then as a sleepy Southern town. The plans folded, but another big suitor came along a decade later.
The Northeast Georgia Health System didn’t buy the town, but the impact of its decision to locate a hospital there would be much greater. Melissa Tymchuk, chief strategy executive, said NGHS envisioned a different future for the town based on its location between I-85 and I-985 among other positive real estate trends. “Back in the early 2000s,” she said, “all signs pointed toward Braselton being an attractive place to plant a healthcare destination.”
The hospital has turned around what once was a no-man’s-land for healthcare. However, Tymchuk credits the community’s support and trust for making it happen.
Quality development has been another hallmark of Braselton’s growing success, and it started much earlier, even before Kim Basinger, according to the Greater Hall Chamber’s Tim Evans. “Don Panoz set an early tone with his vision for Chateau Elan, for sure.”
Started in 1981, Chateau Elan was the region’s first winery since Prohibition and eventually featured a huge castle-like building inspired by 16th century French architecture. It has since grown into a major resort with a hotel, spa, and fine dining surrounded by 3,500 acres of vineyards and forest. Next door is a high-wealth residential community and the Chateau Elan Golf Club with three courses.
Panoz, a highly successful entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical industry, also put his stamp on Road Atlanta, purchasing the Braselton track in 1996 and transforming it into an international raceway for events like the Petit Le Mans. Today, the track is known as the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, and it has spawned a mega-destination for auto enthusiasts, including Caffeine and Octane’s Lanier Raceway next door.
So far, Braselton shows no signs of slowing down. Across from the Braselton hospital and next door to the future Peach State Bank on Friendship Road, a mixed-use development predicted to be on the scale of Alpharetta’s famed Avalon is in the early stages.
Behind all this quality planning has been a progressive Braselton government with consistent leadership dating back to former Mayor Pat Graham (now chair of the Barrow County Commission), who served in the early 2000s. Another key influencer has been Jennifer Scott, the town manager since 1997.
Evans says he’s equally impressed with Braselton’s more recent leadership in Mayor Kurt Ward, who championed moving Braselton Tech, a technology business incubator with ties to Georgia Tech, into the historical Braselton Brothers building in the old downtown area.
Future at a crossroads
Braselton’s quality development and amenities also have attracted a large contingent of retirees. A quarter of the local population is in their 60s and older, living at popular communities like Reunion and Deaton Creek. Many others are Atlanta commuters, having moved to Braselton to escape the big city. Together, these residents represent Braselton’s significant bedroom community.
Therein lies Braselton’s challenge. Will it continue to grow as a nice place to live and visit? Or, as the Chamber’s Evans ponders, will the city leverage its influx of doctors, nurses, and other young professionals to become an employment center for business start-ups and headquarters for large corporations?
With quality streetscapes and strict zoning, Braselton has maintained its strong sense of Southern-style community. But its fast trajectory will continue to pressure that small-town feeling while stressing infrastructure to keep pace.
These are the challenges faced by any city on the rise. That’s why, based on Braselton’s record of success and its steady vision, I have no doubt Gainesville’s neighbor to the south will keep rolling on a path toward big-city greatness.
Charles Blair Named to Peach State Board of Directors
The newest member of our board of directors is someone we all know very well.
We’re pleased to welcome Charles Blair to the Peach State Bank board. He has served as executive vice president & chief financial officer for the past 13 years.
“We are thrilled to welcome Charles Blair to our board,” said Chairman Stewart Teaver. “His deep understanding of the banking sector, coupled with his strategic vision and financial acumen, will be invaluable as Peach State Bank continues to grow.”
With nearly 50 years in the banking industry, Blair has held various positions throughout his career, including auditor, controller, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and chief executive officer. His extensive knowledge and leadership skills have been instrumental in driving the bank’s success and growth.
“I am honored to join the board of directors and help guide the direction of Peach State Bank & Trust,” Blair said. “I look forward to working with other board members to further strengthen our position as a trusted financial partner in the community.”
Charles Blair, CFO
Community News
Riverside Academy Ushers in New Era of Leadership
Dr. Preczewski Retires as President
We want to recognize one of our community partners, Riverside Preparatory Academy.
Dr. Stanley C. “Staś” Preczewski retired at the end of June after five years as Riverside president. Dr. Robert Brittain “Britt” Daniel, J.D., has been appointed president.
Preczewski, a retired college president and retired U.S. Army Colonel, had served as president since 2019. The governing board honored Preczewski with “President Emeritus” status. He will retain an office on Riverside’s campus and continue as a permanent ambassador of the Academy.
Dr. Daniel has served the Riverside community for more than 25 years. His long history of successful leadership spans a wide array of programs, divisions, and efforts at the academy, including prominent roles as dean of academics and as the academy’s executive vice president for the last nine years.
We wish them both continued success in the future.
Dr. Stanley C. “Staś” Preczewski, left, is retiring as Riverside president. Dr. Robert Brittain “Britt” Daniel, a longtime employee at Riverside, is the new president.
customer spotlight | Chris Rodgers, Building Kidz Roswell
Building Community and Enriching Families
Building Kidz Roswell owner Chris Rodgers opened his daycare center five years ago. It quickly became a popular choice for young families with its nurturing environment and enriching activities.
Three years in, Rodgers realized the daycare needed more space. Fortunately, the property next door became available. Peach State entered the picture based on a recommendation from Max Gann, a parent at the school and a Peach State customer. Assistant Vice President of Private Banking, Elizabeth Cain, and President Ron Quinn visited Rodgers and agreed to finance the expansion.
“We were working with a bank and that fell through, so we approached Peach State,” Rodgers said. “We met with them, and they liked what we wanted to do. They’ve been awesome to work with for our expansion. They are very responsive.”
A new 16,000-square-foot building was built next to the original 12,000-square-foot building. The new structure allows Rodgers and his staff to serve 325 children whose ages range from six weeks to 5-years-old. In addition to academic work, Building Kidz’s music and theater programs set it apart from other daycare centers. The new building includes a performing arts center which enhances those programs.
Rodgers views Building Kidz as more than just a Monday through Friday facility. He provides summer camps and community events throughout the year for young families. As part of the recent expansion, there is a large playground available for private event rentals on the weekends. He envisions it being a community gathering spot.
“Chris is quite the visionary and a very driven individual,” Cain said. “He wanted a space for the community to enjoy.”
digital security tips | Everyone Can Be A Target of Fraud
Everyone can be a target of scammers – including our own Fraud Analyst Pamela Willis who happens to be the central contact for fraud at Peach State Bank.
Pamela received a fraudulent debit card phone call wanting to verify her information with Peach State Bank & Trust. However, the cloned phone number identified the caller as being from Peach State Credit Union. Being vigilant and knowing something was not right, Pamela promptly hung up.
We want to assure our customers that we will not call to verify personal information. In cases of suspected debit card fraud, the bank uses text message responses. If a customer does not respond to the message, they will receive a call. When we call, we only inquire about the validity of a transaction and do not request any identifying information.
Your financial security is paramount. If you suspect a call to be fraudulent, trust your instincts, hang up, and call Peach State to verify.
Pamela Willis, Fraud Analyst
EMPLOYEE spotlight | Elizabeth Cain
Elizabeth Cain
Assistant Vice President, Private Banking
It’s been an eventful 2024 for Elizabeth Cain.
She welcomed her first child in July, was named to the Independent Community Bankers of America 40 Under 40 list and celebrated her 10th anniversary at the bank.
First things first. Elizabeth and her husband, Jonathon, are proud parents to Shepherd James Cain, born on July 18.
“It’s been some pretty exciting times for us,” said Elizabeth whose stepson, Jace, is eight years old.
As for the ICBA 40 Under 40, Elizabeth received the national honor after being nominated by the bank’s Marketing Vice President Susan Williams. The award goes to individuals who have continuously stepped up in their field to offer a new perspective and make a difference in their communities. We are proud of Elizabeth for earning this well-deserved honor and for the great job she does in our Private Banking section.
As a private banker, Elizabeth operates like a personal concierge to guide and manage her customers’ finances. She is a single point of contact for her clients, particularly those with complex finances and high net worth. Through her relationships and familiarity with each client’s finances, Elizabeth is in an ideal position to make recommendations tailored to a specific financial need or situation.
“Our private banking customers don’t have jobs that fit in the 9 to 5 workday,” said Elizabeth, who has approximately 175 customers in her portfolio. “So, there is a little more communication outside bank hours. My customers work jobs that make it hard to get to the bank. I like working in private banking because we can build more of a relationship with them. I feel like I get to really know my customers.”
Private banking fits well in Peach State’s customer-driven approach to community banking.
“We do it better than other banks,” she said. “We know our customers. I have friends who have gotten mortgages with a company and never met the person they are dealing with. Or they might have questions after the transaction that they had a hard time getting answered. Here, we are very hands-on and walk you through the process.”
Elizabeth has made a great career at Peach State, celebrating her 10th work anniversary in May. During college, she worked at Peach State part-time. After graduating with a degree in art marketing and photography from the University of North Georgia, the bank approached her about working full-time as an administrative assistant. She said yes. She worked as a credit analyst before moving to Private Banking four years ago.
We are glad Elizabeth chose to build her career at Peach State – and so are her clients.
Using Peach State Bank Debit Cards Just Got Much Easier
Peach State Bank has enhanced its debit card with a new dual interface EMV chip card.
Now you can easily make a purchase by swiping, inserting, or tapping your card. Just look for the contactless symbol and tap your card.
This change will make shopping easier and safer. Use your dual-interface EMV chip card wherever you make purchases. You may still swipe your card at the payment terminal if the store has not switched to EMV-enabled terminals.
Don’t worry, you can still use your card for online and telephone payments, as well as ATMs.
peachstate.bank
121 E E Butler Pkwy | Gainesville, GA 30501 | Phone: (770) 536-1100 | Fax: (770) 536-2525