Guaranty Bank & Trust Co. elects Hopewell III to Board of Directors

NEW ROADS - Great Guaranty Bancshares announces the addition of a new member to its Board of Directors, John C. Hopewell, III.

Hopewell was also elected to the Board of Directors of Guaranty Bank & Trust Company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Guaranty Bancshares.

"The Board is very pleased to have John," Chairman of the Board, Henry Olinde, Jr. stated. "He brings a wealth of talent and knowledge to the table. Because John hails from the Zachary area, his presence will also help us stay in tune with that vibrant and growing community."

Hopewell was born in Cottonport, Louisiana. He is married to Kathleen Hatcher Hopewell and they have one child and two grandchildren.

He an Attorney and the Managing Partner of "The Hopewell Law Firm, L.L.P." in Zachary and President of "Certain Title & Escrow, L.L.C." in Zachary. He also currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Zachary.

Hopewell attended Louisiana State University and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1980. After working as a commercial banker, he was accepted into law school at Louisiana State University (Paul M. Hebert Law Center) and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 1991.

Active in civic and professional activities, Hopewell is a Charter Member of Louisiana Association of Independent Land Title Agents and Baton Rouge Independent Title Lawyers Association. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Zachary Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Land Title Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Kiwanis Club of Zachary and was the Zachary Kiwanis Charter President in 2000.

"I left banking to go to law school with the idea that I would return to my first professional endeavor in some capacity," Hopewell said. "While I am equally pleased and surprised by the election to Guaranty's Board, I recognize the importance and seriousness of the opportunity presented to me and intend to utilize any talent and experience to the best of my ability as a Director of this financial institution."

Guaranty Bank & Trust Company prides itself in delivering superior products with exceptional customer service, at competitive rates. The Board of Directors of the Bank are; J. Levy Dabadie, Jr., Mr. Hall Davis, IV, Dr. Donald Doucet, John L. Ewing, Henry D.H. Olinde, Jr., J. Layne Orillion, J. Wade O'Neal III, F. Gregory Roy and Chad Soprano.