Austin Bank bestows employee awards
Recipients honored for community involvement

Lisa McCoy

Austin Bank recently announced the four recipients of the 2007 Community Involvement Award. Three Austin Bank employees and one board member were recognized for their volunteer work with several East Texas civic and nonprofit organizations.

The 2007 Community Involvement recipients are: Michelle Cox, Whitehouse; Lisa McCoy, Tyler; Freida Scully, Jacksonville; Harry G. Tilley, Jacksonville. They were named at the Austin Bank Board of Directors meeting on February 12 in Jacksonville.

Austin Bank annually recognizes its employees and officers for their volunteer service to civic and non-profit organizations within East Texas by giving Community Involvement Awards. The Community Involvement recipients each receive $500 and another $500 is donated to an organization they serve.

"Through the volunteer work of our employees and Austin Bank's donations, we can contribute to the community's well-being and development," said Jeff Austin III, vice chairman of the board. "We strive to give back to our community by providing leadership and financial expertise. This is a way we can promote education, health, affordable housing, employment and growth in the locations that Austin Bank serves."

Michelle Cox

"We are proud to honor these four people for their service within their community and to the organizations they devote time to," said Austin Bank President John P. Williams. "They are noteworthy volunteers who work whole-heartedly giving their time and expertise. They exemplify the Austin Bank values that make us what we are."

Michelle Cox, a customer ser vice representative in Whitehouse, was recognized for her work with the Whitehouse Women's Civic League. Cox serves as second vice president of the league that promotes volunteerism, beautification and the betterment of Whitehouse and its surrounding area.

As an active volunteer, Cox assists with the league's many service projects including obtaining food, necessities and Christmas gifts for needy families; decorating a Christmas parade float and the City Park Christmas tree; and working on fund-raisers to support the League's projects. Cox has been a league member volunteer for two years. Cox was also active in the American Cancer Society 2007 Relay for Life Campaign as a Tyler/Smith County team captain.

Harry Tilley

Cox joined Austin Bank in August 2006 as a customer service representative. She has about eight years banking experience in similar positions at two other financial institutions.

Lisa McCoy, the retail market manager/assistant vice president at the Tyler downtown location, was honored for her work with the American Cancer Society and the 2007 Relay for Life Campaign in Tyler/Smith County.

McCoy served as chairman of the Team Development Committee which recruited and developed teams for the Oct. 5, 2007 Relay. She also set up computer files and recordkeeping for the Relay and its 60+ teams and participating sur vivors, as well as team webpage donations and registration records.

This was the first year the Smith County Relay for Life organizers handled the event by computer (paperless) and McCoy was instrumental in the process.

Freida Scully

McCoy joined Austin Bank in June 2003 as an Executive Administrative Officer and was named Retail Officer Manager of the downtown Tyler location in 2006. In October 2007 she was promoted to Retail Market Manager of the Tyler market area. McCoy previously worked for First State Bank, Frankston, an Austin Bank affiliate.

McCoy currently serves on the Literacy Council of Tyler Spelling Bee Committee and is a Junior Achievement Volunteer Teacher. At the bank, she has served as Chairman of the Marketing Committee, Project Manager for the 2007 Reward Checking Program and is a current member of the bank's donation and scholarship committees.

Freida Scully, the bank's Treasury Management officer, was recognized for her work with the Jacksonville Literacy Council which serves all of Cherokee County. The Jacksonville Literacy Council provides classes in basic literacy skills, English as a Second Language, Financial Management, GED preparation, and Citizenship, as well as other educational services requested by individuals or companies.

Scully serves on the Council's Board of Directors and participates in the organization's fund raising efforts which includes the annual Corporate Spelling Bee. Scully helped organize and start an ESL class at her church for His- panics within the community. During her four years of work with the Council, she recommended a financial accounting change that helped increase the Council's operating funds. She also collected Spanish language booklets on Credit and Budgeting for the Literacy Council's classes.

Scully has been with Austin Bank since August 2003. Prior to that, she was an Account Relationship Manager for Aurum Technology in Plano, TX.

Harry G. Tilley, an Austin Bank advisory director, was honored for his volunteer work with H.O.P.E. in Jacksonville. H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Pursue Enrichment) is an organization that provides emergency assistance to the indigent and gives them tools that promote self-sufficiency. The organization offers referral services, provides assistance with completing disability applications and getting prescriptions operates a soup kitchen and food pantry, and provides coats for school children.

Tilley, a retired Cherokee County judge and businessman, has been a H.O.P.E. volunteer for five years. He currently serves as a H.O.P.E. director and is treasurer and presidentelect. Tilley initially volunteered by inputting data in the prescription assistance program, then went on to help upgrade computers, wire the building for networking and set up networking equipment. He also assists with H.O.P.E.'s "Brown Bag" program that provides food for the elderly who are waiting for food stamp assistance and is a van driver who takes clients to medical appointments, the bank, grocery store or pharmacy.

Tilley is also an elder emeritus with the First Christian Church and been involved with the ETCOG, Jacksonville Housing Authority, Rusk Main Street, Lion's Club and the Texas A&M Club.

In addition to the Community Involvement awards, Austin Bank contributed more than $324,500 in monetary and inkind sponsorships to numerous civic and non-profit organizations in 2007.

Austin Bank is a community bank with $810 million in assets. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Austin Bank serves the needs of East Texas families and businesses through 23 locations in nine counties. After a merger with City National Bank, Austin Bank has expanded to 28 locations with approximately $1 billion in assets.