United Community Bank announces new president
United Community Bank recently announced the retirement of long time banker, President Gary R. Lovell. CEO Garland Certain made this announcement with mixed emotions stating "I am truly excited for Gary and wife, Lou, as his many years in banking has earned him a well deserved retirement, while at the same time, I will miss the daily interaction in our cooperative arrangement of managing UCB". Certain went on to comment about Gary's many talents, including his conservative approach to investment decisions, abilities to oversee the physical needs of the institution, along with his general management skills. He further stated that Lovell is truly dedicated to serving his community as he has sat on the Morganfield City Council for seven years, been a member of the Lion's Club along with being a true loyal Union County Braves supporter. Gary continues to serve the bank as he is a member of the Board of Directors. May he enjoy his retirement! Lovell stated, “I feel very blessed to have spent the past sixteen years here at United Community Bank. As a part of the organizing management team in 2001 with a vision to open a community bank in Union and Webster County, and to see it blossom in a $240,000,000 institution with the largest market share in Union County Is just unbelievable...and we thank our customers. I have had the opportunity to work with some truly great staff and board members, and I will truly miss seeing our customers day to day. I certainly hope to stay involved in other community activities in this next chapter of my life.”
It is with great pleasure that United Community Bank announces the promotion of Senior Vice President Gwen Paris to President and Chief Credit Officer. CEO Garland Certain stated that Gwen's leadership and management abilities were the primary qualities supporting the bank's Board of Directors decision to promote her to this position. Her 41 years of banking experience, beginning as a bookkeeper with Union Bank and Trust in 1975 and future years as a Commercial Lender with Fifth Third Bank, strengthened her for this extremely important position. Although she served the bank overseeing all the loan functions, Gwen has focused on small business and agricultural lending, and will continue serving her Commercial and Ag Customers in addition to her new role. Certain stated that Paris has a unique ability to analyze situations and then the initiative to take action! She recognizes her co-workers' abilities and can tactfully place them in the right spot to better serve the bank.
Paris stated, “I was born, raised, and have spent my entire banking career in Union County. I am honored to have been chosen as Gary’s successor and look forward to taking on this new role to further serve the bank and my community. Gary has been an important asset of the bank and I am thankful for his leadership and guidance in making United Community Bank successful through the years. I will strive to make sound decisions for continued success of this strong community bank and am committed to provide our customers with quality, personalized service.”
President Paris inherits a bank that has performed quite well over its 15 year life. According to a quarterly banking analysis group, FMC-Louisville, KY, UCB has ranked first in its overall quality for the past 25 quarters! This ranking includes all 164 banks chartered in Kentucky in areas such as earnings, efficiencies, asset quality, and return on shareholders' equity. Also, the bank has been nationally ranked in the top 25 of all US Banks as one of the "best banks to work for".
