Heather Wilbanks has been promoted to assistant vice president at Peach State Bank & Trust. Wilbanks oversees the private banking division and joined the bank in 2005. Wilbanks is a 1999 graduate of North Georgia College & State University and has completed studies at the Georgia Banking School. A resident of North Hall, she and her husband, Matthew, have one son, Colton. They attend New Haven Church, where she is a member of the softball team. "Heather has made a valuable contribution to the success of Peach State Bank during her tenure here, and we look forward to her future with us in service to our customers," said Ron Quinn, bank president.

Laura Hall of Jefferson has joined the staff of Rushton & Co. as an associate responsible for monthly write-ups and tax preparation for clients. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia, Hall earned a bachelor’s in business administration in 2007. She was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi National Honorary Accounting Fraternity, the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Originally from California, Hall moved to Georgia in 2002. She lives in Jefferson with her husband, Todd, and their three children.

Lanier Therapy in Motion, a physical therapy practice, has announced two of its staff members, Ginger Banner and Betsy House, have recently completed certification with the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and have earned designation as certified lymphatic therapists. Banner has been a licensed occupational therapist for eight years and is a certified hand therapist. House has been a licensed physical therapy assistant for 13 years.

Two members of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office command staff recently completed a specialized course in courthouse security. Lt. Col. Dennis Nelson and Capt. Chris Barrett attended the Physical Security Training Program, taught by the Department of Homeland Security at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Brunswick. The training is jointly sponsored by the center, the Georgia Sheriff’s Association and the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. During the rigorous, two-week session, many facets of protecting the public, litigants, jurors and staff were taught. The training also focused on security assessments, tactics, planning and equipment. With completion of the training, Nelson and Barrett now are certified to assist other law enforcement agencies in court security assessments and are qualified to train other law enforcement officials in courthouse security.