Peach State Bank & Trust has announced the addition of local banking veterans Ricky Pugh, Steve Sorrells, Wendy Smith and Jana Lovell to its leadership team.

In their new roles at Peach State, Pugh will serve as senior vice president and Sorrells as vice president. Smith joins the bank as a loan processor and Lovell will serve as a customer service representative. All four come from the Gainesville office of Independence Bank of Georgia, which was recently acquired by Elberton-based Pinnacle Bank.

“We are pleased to add this high level of community banking experience to our Peach State team,” said Ron Quinn, Peach State President & CEO. “Ricky, Steve and Wendy each have 30-plus years of local banking experience while Jana has nearly 20 years. They all are well-known with strong ties to the community. That’s important to us as a community bank.”

Pugh, a former city executive with Independence Bank, has worked in banking in Hall County since 1978 and held numerous key leadership positions throughout his career. He is a member and past president of the Gainesville Kiwanis Club and is involved with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Gainesville and formerly served on the executive board of the Northeast Georgia Boy Scouts of America.

A Gainesville native, Sorrells has worked his entire banking career in Hall County. Since 1984, he has held management roles in five local banks. He was most recently vice president at Independence Bank.

Smith is a lifelong Hall County resident with 28 years in banking and loan processing. She is an active member of Christian Hill Baptist Church.

Lovell has worked in customer service, including a head teller position, for the past 17 years with several local banks. The Hall County native is a member of Northside Church.

Peach State is located at 325 Washington St. in downtown Gainesville, with more than 35 employees.