The Board of Directors of Southern Heritage Bank recently approved the promotion of three employees.

Joy Akins has been promoted to senior vice president/loan originator. Cornelia Marcrom has been promoted to customer service officer. Andy Sneed has been promoted to commercial lending officer.

The announcement was made by Lee Stewart, president and CEO.

“It is a great pleasure to reward individuals who have proven themselves valuable through hard work and loyal, dedicated service to Southern Heritage Bank,” Stewart said. “Joy’s recognition is well deserved. She has led our mortgage efforts from the bank’s beginning, and, because of her leadership and the staff she has assembled, we are now the number one mortgage operation in the Bradley County market,” Stewart said. “She is a true professional in every sense of the word. Joy has an extraordinary way of satisfying her customers and believes the success of the mortgage department is based on doing the right thing for the customer.

“I am excited that Cornelia has received this recognition also,” Stewart continued. “She has a genuine gift of truly caring for people which automatically translates into a special level of customer service.

“Andy has recently earned his MBA degree and has made a successful transfer from information technology to commercial lending,” he said. “Small businesses today are very dependent on new technology. Andy’s background and knowledge of IT issues, along with his understanding of business finance, serves our customers well.”

Akins joined Southern Heritage Bank in March 1999 as mortgage loan officer. She began her banking career in 1977. She has attended various banking schools and has been involved with the local River Counties Association of Realtors for more than 20 years serving on many committees. Her husband, Tim, is employed by Mars Chocolate North America. They are members of South Cleveland Church of God.

Marcrom joined Southern Heritage in January 2007 as a customer service representative. She holds an associate’s degree from the University of North Florida. Her husband, Pat, is employed by Resolute Forest Products. They are members of Bellefounte Baptist Church.

Andy Sneed joined Southern Heritage Bank in March 2006 as IT administrator. He began training in the lending department in September 2008. Andy holds a bachelor of science in organizational leadership/information technology from Middle Tennessee State University and a master’s in business administration from Tennessee Tech University. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and a board member of Junior Achievement. He and his wife, Emily, are members of East Side Church of Christ where he serves as a deacon.