Ricky Nessmith, president of Farmers & Merchants Bank, announced the recent promotion of Lisa Hodges from senior credit analyst and banking officer to agricultural lending officer for the bank.
       "We are very pleased to make this announcement," Nessmith said. "Lisa joined our bank in October 2005 as a credit analyst. She has a strong background in auditing procedures and individual and corporate income tax returns with 20 years of work experience with a CPA firm in Sylvania.
       "Lisa has been a loyal and hardworking individual who has served Farmers & Merchants Bank well; she deserves this recognition with her background and experience in the farming community," Nessmith said. "This is a great opportunity for Lisa and the bank to better serve our agricultural customers in the future. Agriculture will always be a vital part of our bank's loan portfolio and is the financial strength of Bulloch and surrounding counties."
      Lisa was raised in Bulloch County and lives in Sylvania with her husband Kerry on their farm.
      They have two children, a daughter Hillary and son Matt.