Oconee State Bank announced the addition of local business leader and homebuilder Tony L. Powell to its board of directors. Powell, 45, is president and founder of Watkinsville-based Powell Home Builders, Inc., a top custom residential homebuilder. He began his service with the board at its March 26 meeting, taking the seat of retiring Oconee State Bank Senior Executive Vice President Jerry Wages.

“As a third-generation Oconee County native, Tony shares Oconee State Bank’s commitment to investing in our community and its people,” said Board Chair Virginia Wells. “As a seasoned business owner, he understands the importance of service and wise stewardship of resources, and we look forward to having his perspective as we continue our focus on taking care of our existing customers while developing relationships with others in our community.”

Powell attended Oconee County High School and earned a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia. After starting his now 22-year career at firms in Charlotte, N.C., and Athens, Ga., he returned home to start his own custom home building company. Powell Home Builders’ portfolio includes residential estates and homes, horse barns, equipment buildings, the development of complete neighborhoods and site improvements to land.

“Oconee State Bank has been providing remarkable service to customers, businesses and local organizations for 58 years,” said Powell. ”I am honored to be a part of a board and organization that can continue that tradition.”

A committed Georgia football fan, Powell is involved with a number of community organizations and fundraising events, including serving on the Board of Deacons at Antioch Christian Church. He is also a member of professional organizations including the National Home Builders Association and the Athens Area Home Builders Association.

“We want to be essential to the lives, business and communities we serve” said Oconee State Bank President & CEO Neil Stevens. “Tony brings a powerful perspective as a leader in an industry that is important to Oconee County, and a deep understanding of our community and the entire region that will benefit the bank.”

Powell joins existing Oconee State Bank directors Virginia S. Wells, President & CEO, Wells & Company Realtors, Inc. (Chair); J. Albert Hale, Sr., Owner, Hale’s Dairy (Vice Chair); G. Robert Bishop, Retired, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Mack H. Guest, III, President of LAD Truck Lines, Inc.; Henry C. Maxey, President, Maxey Brothers, Inc.; W. Toby Smith, CPA/CVA, Director of Financial Reporting & Assurance Services, Trinity Accounting Group; Jonathan R. Murrow, MD, Cardiologist, Piedmont Athens Regional Cardiology Group and Associate Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia; Brian J. Brodrick, Partner & Manager of Athens Office, Jackson Spalding; and T. Neil Stevens, President & Chief Executive Officer, Oconee State Bank.