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Newsmakers in Business, April 18
0418BIZAbit Massey
Abit Massey

The Times wants to know about new management hires and promotions, major awards and other newsworthy accomplishments involving local businesses. We'll publish the information each Sunday on the Business page and gainesvilletimes.com. Send information, including photos and contact information, to news@gainesvilletimes.com; please put Newsmakers in the subject line. You also may use regular mail at Newsmakers, The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503.

Keener to head UCB in Clayton
United Community Bank has named Jack Keener as president and CEO of UCB Clayton. He previously was executive vice president of commercial lending in Gainesville.

Keener joined United in 2005 when he and several Gainesville bankers formed UCB Hall County, which has grown to four locations in the Gainesville area.

A 25-year banking veteran, he earned his bachelor's degree from University of Georgia and earned an MBA from Georgia State University.

Keener, his wife, Caroline, and their son will continue to live in Gainesville. He will retain some commercial banking responsibilities at United in Hall County.

"I look at things regionally, and to me Gainesville is centrally located and is a hub for banking and commerce in north Georgia," Keener said. "I am very excited about returning to my hometown of Clayton, but I also look forward to continuing the strong banking relationships that I have built in Gainesville over the years."

Keener currently serves as the Board Chair for United Way of Hall County. He also serves on the boards of Northeast Georgia Medical Center and Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, and has been involved in the mentoring program for Hall County schools.

"While I'm happy to maintain and grow our relationships in Hall County, I'm also very excited about the opportunities for United Community Bank in Rabun County," Keener said.

Massey to continue on state's Warm Springs advisory panel
Gainesville's Abit Massey has been reappointed to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Warm Springs Memorial Advisory Committee by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Massey is president emeritus of the Georgia Poultry Federation. He is a director of the University of Georgia Research Foundation, director and secretary of the UGA Real Estate Foundation and is past president of the UGA Alumni Association.

Massey also serves on the board of trustees for Georgia Women of Achievement, is past president of the Georgia Society of Association Executives and is past chairman of the American Society of Association Executives.

Massey earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Emory University. He and his wife, Kayanne, have two children and four grandchildren.

Other members appointed to the board include J. David Allen of Atlanta, Randy Hayes of Fayetteville, A. Kathryn "Katie" Kirkpatrick of Atlanta, Andrew J. Morrow of Columbus and A. Paul Wood of Atlanta.