GAINESVILLE, Ga., May 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Richard A. Hunt, founding President and CEO of GB&T Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:GBTB), a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Gainesville (GA), has been selected as a finalist for the 2006 Alabama/Georgia/Tennessee Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Hunt is one of 22 finalists selected from over 100 nominations by an independent judging panel composed of area business leaders who are also previous award winners. Award recipients will be announced at a special 20th anniversary gala event on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia.
Hunt was one of nine organizing directors and was founding President and CEO of GB&T Bancshares' lead bank -- Gainesville Bank & Trust -- when the bank opened for business in February 1988. With over 40 years of commercial banking experience, he continues to serve as the bank's CEO.
Hunt is a graduate of Georgia State University and the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU. He has also completed the University of Tennessee Executive Development Program and certificate programs at the American Institute of Banking (AIB).
Following Hunt's belief in giving back to his community, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Bankers Association and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia, the Northeast Georgia Chapter of Bank Administration Institute and is past trustee of the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards program recognizes the leaders and visionaries who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.
Award recipients for the Alabama/Georgia/Tennessee program will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 national program. National award winners will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 18, 2006.
About GB&T Bancshares, Inc.
Based in Gainesville, Georgia, GB&T Bancshares, Inc. is a multi-bank holding company operating seven community banks: Gainesville Bank & Trust, United Bank & Trust, Community Trust Bank, HomeTown Bank of Villa Rica, First National Bank of the South, First National Bank of Gwinnett and Mountain State Bank. GB&T Bancshares' common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "GBTB." Visit the Company's website www.gbtbancshares.com for additional information about GB&T.