Georgia Banking Company (GBC) has announced the appointment of Jeff Kraus to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Margaret Whieldon to Chief Experience Officer (CXO). These strategic appointments to the executive team underscore GBC’s commitment to driving financial excellence and enhancing the customer and employee experience.
raus, who has been with GBC since 2021, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer following the retirement of Rob Cochran. Jeff’s extensive knowledge of GBC’s strategic goals and vision and his diverse background make him exceptionally well-suited for this role.
Over the past 25 years, Jeff has held various positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at other financial institutions. As CFO, Jeff will oversee all financial operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility, strategic financial planning, and continued growth. His commitment to excellence and collaborative approach have earned him the respect and trust of his colleagues and industry peers. Jeff holds his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Liberty University.
In addition, GBC announces that Margaret Whieldon has been promoted to Chief Experience Officer (CXO). Margaret brings a wealth of experience and leadership, having served community banks as a senior marketing professional for over 25 years. She has been with GBC since 2021.
The new role of Chief Experience Officer is pivotal in shaping a high-performance culture and aligning strategies with GBC’s vision to be the bank of choice. Whieldon will be responsible for developing and executing customer and employee experience strategies to align with the company’s goals, fostering a collaborative culture, and championing the voice of the customer at the executive level. Her strategic vision and passion for excellence will drive efforts to ensure exceptional customer and employee experiences. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from Tennessee Tech University.
Bartow Morgan, Jr., CEO says: “I am pleased to welcome Jeff and Margaret to the bank’s executive team. Their extensive experience and leadership will be invaluable as we drive our continued success together.”
Georgia Banking Company (GBC) is a community bank headquartered in Atlanta. As of March 31, 2025, GBC had approximately $2.5 billion in total assets.
Lawrenceville seeks honorees for Medallion Trail
The City of Lawrenceville’s Heritage Trail Medallion Commission began accepting nominations for 2025 honorees on May 1, 2025, via the city website. The nomination period will remain open for 60 days, closing at 5 p.m. on June 30, 2025.
A maximum of two honorees are selected annually by the Commission. Final selections will be approved in the fall, with a new medallion installed in spring 2026.
Heritage Trail Medallions honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the City of Lawrenceville throughout its 204-year history. The trail begins at the Fallen Heroes Memorial, winds through Downtown Lawrenceville, and concludes at Rhodes Jordan Park, showcasing the names and legacies of those who helped shape the community.
Mayor David Still says: “The Heritage Trail Medallion program reflects the heart and history of our city. Each honoree represents a piece of Lawrenceville’s story, and we are deeply grateful to the Heritage Trail Medallion Commission for their thoughtful and diligent work in preserving that legacy for future generations.”
The 2025 Heritage Trail Medallion Commission members are: Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Chair; Dawnya Fischer Lindsey, Vice-Chair; Marshel (Moses) Abney; Theresa Bailey; Elliott Brack; Gloria James; and Nancy (Patsy) Price.
- Community members interested in submitting nominations can find application information here on the City’s website:
Norcross photo contest open; deadline is July 31
Norcross residents and visitors are invited to enter this year’s “From Bees to Trees” photo contest free of charge by submitting their photos celebrating the beauty of nature in Norcross.
Take advantage of the beauty of nature in Norcross and submit photos of the city. Registration is open now in the city’s 2025 contest. Entries are due July 31. Selected photos will be on exhibit from August 28–September 27 at Norcross Gallery and Studios. The contest is open to both Norcross residents and visitors.
As an official Bee City and Tree City, Norcross offers many picture perfect locations in its public parks, green spaces, trails, arboretum, Discovery Garden Park and all around the city.
Peachtree Corners’ farmers market opens Saturday
Peachtree Farm will partner with the City of Peachtree Corners to offer the Peachtree Corners Farmers Market. The first market of the year will be Saturday, May 10, from 8-11 a.m. The Saturday markets will continue through August 30.
The event will be in front of Firebirds and Fire and Stone Pizza in Town Center. Come by and support the event as we work to “Grow” into the future and expand in future years. The weekly farmers market provides fresh produce and artisan goods for sale. The market consists of 10 or more market booths selling produce, artisan goods and food.
County crime response center wins award
Gwinnett County was recently recognized with a 2025 Georgia County Excellence Award for its Situational Awareness and Crime Response Center (SACRC). Hosted jointly by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and Georgia Trend magazine, the awards program honors innovative and cost-effective county programs that meet the needs of residents while enhancing their quality of life.
The Center provides analysis for active 911 calls and responds to alerts related to public safety events in real time with the help of flock cameras, license plate readers and other technology. In 2024, SACRC, which supports the Gwinnett Safe Communities program, expanded analytical support by incorporating community-based cameras to help inform first responders headed to crime scenes or searching for missing individuals. In 2024, the SACRC located nearly 80 stolen vehicles, assisted with 250 arrests and located 12 missing persons.
JEMC Foundation awards $87,500 in local grants
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $107,500 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $87,500 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
- $10,000 to the American Red Cross, to provide immediate and supplemental financial assistance, health assistance for families in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe counties after experiencing a house fire, and for local disaster response.
- $10,000 to Athens Parent Wellbeing, Inc., Athens, which promotes the mental well-being of mothers and families in the Jackson EMC counties throughout pregnancy and postpartum period by providing education, resources and support for psychological evaluations for uninsured and underinsured clients.
- $10,000 to Bethel Haven, which provides help and healing to distressed children, teenagers, adults and families in all counties served by Jackson EMC to provide counseling sessions.
- $10,000 to Eagle Ranch, Inc., which provides a whole-family approach to restoring and renewing relationships for children and families in Jackson EMC counties, for counseling sessions for clients in its First Step Counseling Program.
- $10,000 to Step by Step Recovery, Inc., Lawrenceville, which provides a safe and structured residential program for men and women suffering from homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, and recently-paroled people for its Residential Recovery Program.
- $7,500 to Acceptance Recovery Center, Inc., Athens, which provides peer support recovery services to individuals in all counties served by Jackson EMC recovering from substance use disorders.
- $7,500 to Fresh Wind Recovery Ministry, Inc., Athens, which is a residential ministry for men in all counties served by Jackson EMC struggling with substance abuse to support counseling sessions and meals for clients.
- $7,500 to Judy House Ministry, Inc., Lawrenceville, which provides a safe environment for men and women in Gwinnett County facing homelessness for housing for its Transfer Program.
- $7,500 to NSPIRE Outreach Ministries, Inc., Lawrenceville, which helps those in Gwinnett and Hall counties facing a cycle of homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, abuse and neglect.
- $7,500 to Palm House Recovery Centers, Inc., Athens, which helps people in all counties served by Jackson EMC struggling with addiction for client intake fees and rent for individuals in its Helping Hands Program.
