Expect Great Things

Our People

Planters Bank employees are actively involved in the communities of Hopkinsville and Clarksville. From serving on non-profit organization boards, to collecting items for families in need, to being politically active, employees do their parts to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow citizens.

	Commerce Street Branch Manager Jan Greene organized a collection for the Life Center Foundation's Phoenix Program in December 2011. Employees and customers donated several large boxes of clothing and personal care items for women going through the program. Jan also serves on the Phoenix Program board of directors.
	Clarksville Young Professionals President and Planters Bank Commercial Loan Officer Amy Jerles Orton is passionate about getting the younger generation actively involved in their community. "There's a gap between the established leaders in our community who are called on repeatedly to fill key volunteer roles," she says. "CYP works to engage younger citizens, beginning with APSU graduates, in all areas of community activity." Amy also serves on the boards of directors for the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce and YMCA. She was the Altrusa 2009 Dancing with the Stars winner.
	Employees from the bank's Clarksville branches collected and delivered a large trunk load of food to the school system's F.U.E.L. program to help feed children whose only source of food is what they receive from the school.
	Thomas Manco, a commercial analyst at the Main Office, serves on the Hopkinsville Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. In August, he helped raise over $8,000 for the organization's first telethon.
	Relay for Life teams in both Hopkinsville and Clarksville work for months coordinating a variety of creative fundraising activities for the American Cancer Society. In 2010, bank efforrts raised over $11,500! The Hopkinsville team received the New Horizons Award for raising the highest percentage increase from the previous year, and was also awarded the third highest fundraiser for Christian County.
	Barry Meade, VP of Credit Administration, represented Planters Bank as part of the annual Citizens for Fort Campbell delegation in Washington, D.C. in March, 2010. The group of some 50 community leaders from Christian, Montgomery and Stewart Counties visit with each Kentucky and Tennessee congressional representative and senator to advocate for funding and capital projects that will help sustain and enhance Fort Campbell. Barry is pictured here with Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

	Employees volunteer annually to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters' at their Bowl for Kids Sake events in both Hopkinsville and Clarksville. Pictured here is the 2010 Clarksville team.

	Suzanne Langford, Senior VP of Commercial Lending, was named 2010 Outstanding Board member for the the United Way of the Greater Clarksville region. Suzanne has served on the board for the past three years, most recently as Treasurer. Suzanne also serves on the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

	VP of Commercial Lending Kyle Luther recently completed a term as president of the APSU Governor's Club. "Upon reflecting on how much the university impacted my life, I was compelled to give back to this University of which I was a fan and a graduate. The Govs Club, which provides resources, participation, enthusiasm, attendance and appreciation to all the teams at the University, was an obvious choice for me to accomplish my objective. Being part of an organization that works together for the common goal of nurturing successful athletic teams both on and off the field of play is very rewarding."

	Janet Calhoun, VP of commercial banking, served as 2009 United Way Campaign Chair for Hopkinsville-Christian County. Janet's leadership not only led to a successful campaign, but also to Planters Bank receiving the Gold Award and Overall Campaign Award for its outstanding contribution.

	I became involved with the YMCA Board of Directors to help organize the Jonathan Wyatt Memorial Golf Tournament. Their largest single fundraiser, the tournament is in honor of my long-time friend Jonathan who was very active in the “Y,” and also helps support great programs like after school care for underprivileged children and Restore Ministries.

	Kyle Higgins, branch manager at the Canton Street location, has served as president of the Hopkinsville Young Professionals (HYP) since 2008. Kyle enjoys meeting, working with, and mentoring other young professionals, especially those new to Hopkinsville and those returning home after college. One of Kyle’s most significant, and most rewarding, accomplishments is mobilizing the HYP members for community service. In 2009 the group raised $25,000 for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. “Seeing how our efforts can make such a difference in people’s lives has been the most rewarding part of my involvement. Working together, we have the opportunity to help people who really need help.”

	In December bank employees collected more than 10 boxes of food for Urban Ministries, an organization that provides direct assistance to those who face societal problems of hunger, homelessness, poverty, and violence.

	Employees serve in shifts to ring the Salvation Army bell.