Speaking of Business
The appointment of Edna Hadden Hughes as president of Lewisburg Banking Company is a classic Good News/Bad News story. Fortunately, the good far outweighs the bad.
Edna is a perfect combination of a professional banker, community advocate/servant, and “good ole gal.”
The daughter of a banker (the late Vernon Hadden), she has amassed 35 years in the profession and has worked her way up to this position. Her formal training in banking schools is also impressive.
She is also the daughter of tireless community volunteer Eloise Hadden, who helped Auburn become a Certified City and has made Auburn a prime example of how a small town can showcase its history. Both of Edna’s parents served on Auburn City Council, and Vernon was also city judge.
Edna is a long-time leader in the Logan Chamber of Commerce and countless other worthwhile causes. Her husband, Mike Hughes, is mayor of Auburn. Their younger daughter Sara says, “My parents have set a great example for public service. I accepted the vice president position in KANS (student nursing organization) at our WKU chapter. We focus on public service, and I am so happy I was shown how to do that.”
In the “good ole gal” category, Edna is fun to be around. She’s approachable. I think anyone can relate to her, regardless of educational, economic or social status.
The bad news is that Edna’s predecessor, Billy Bingham, is now heading an out-of-county bank. He has been named president of United Southern Bank, which is headquartered in Christian County and has multiple branches in Billy’s native Todd County along with Hopkins County. He should be and will be involved in economic development and other community activities there.
Billy Bingham has been a leader in Logan County. He served as president of LEAD (Logan Economic Alliance for Development) and heads fund-raising for the Logan County Cougar Athletic Foundation.
The good news returns to the forefront in that the Binghams will not move. His wife Mel, a Lewisburg native who is a former standout athlete at LCHS and an accountant with Russellville-based Hargis + Associates, tells The LoJo: “Nothing will change except his 25-minute drive will be west (Hopkinsville) instead of north (Lewisburg). The kids and I are staying put. It is the bank he started his career with in 1987—coming full circle, so to speak.”
The LoJo
One of the ironies of recent banking developments is the origins of our newest bank presidents. Brian White, who was named president of Auburn Banking Company last summer, grew up in Lewisburg, still lives in North Logan, and started with Lewisburg Bank. Edna Hughes grew up and still lives in Auburn. She started her career at Auburn Bank. Now she’s the LBC president.
Their predecessors, John Sheffield and Bingham, also worked for other banks. Sandra Kinser, who came out of retirement to move into White’s prior position at ABC, has been with a number of local banks, including heading the local BB&T branch.
I grew up with bankers “staying put,” H.O. Price and Earl Davis were the face of Citizens National Bank; Macon Brown and Bob Kirkpatrick led Southern Deposit Bank; Jim Lyne and Frances Richardson were at the forefront of First Federal Savings and Loan. Now even the names of those institutions have changed. Glenn Tinsley was the long-time head of Auburn Banking Company and D.A. Ryan of Lewisburg Bank.
Several years ago I wrote that banking had become like baseball: You can’t tell the players without a scorecard.
I have a feeling, though, that Edna and Brian are going to “stay put.”
The LoJo
Myla-Christine Porter’s return to WRUS as the afternoon drive air personality is a win-win for the station and for Logan County. Congratulations to station manager/co-owner Chris McGinnis and partner Don Neagle for reaching the agreement that brought her back to wearing a 610 AM headset.
Myla has a rich voice and a great sense of what community journalism and public service is all about. She’s fun and a great friend to so many people here.
The morning show on The Beaver featuring Myla, Scooter Davis and Jeff Boyles in the early 90s was as good as anything you would hear in Nashville. In fact, so did many Nashvillians, who were disappointed when owner Bill McGinnis moved the station from Russellville to Bowling Green and went to a lower power antenna.
Myla has shown her loyalty to the community by living in Russellville while commuting to BG for almost two decades. WBVR’s Scooter and Alan Austin also kept their homes in Logan County.
I remember Myla when she worked at WRUS barely past her teenage years. It may have been before Scooter christened her as Myla Thomas, but she had a smile in her powerful voice even then.
Welcome home, Myla.
The LoJo
Riley-White Drugs & Healthcare has welcomed a fifth pharmacist to its professional staff. Carly Patterson joins David Guion, Lindsey Flanders and owners Jerry White and Donnie Riley.
It’s good that their business is doing so well that they need that many pharmacists. Riley-White is the retail anchor of the downtown square area.
Jerry says he may start taking some time off with the addition of another pharmacist. Anyone who believes that doesn’t really know Jerry White, who has been a licensed pharmacist for over 53 years. His mind and body are always at work.
The LoJo
Franklin is one of my favorite towns in Kentucky, but I’ve always seen some rivalry between the towns economically. I was upset when Franklin got a McDonald’s before Russellville did. The late Stan Portman, who owned and edited the Franklin Favorite, called me in the 80s expressing dismay that Russellvillians had voted to legalize liquor sales while Franklin was still dry. Legal alcohol has long been considered an asset to economic development.
So, we should be pleased that Brent Crabtree chose Russellville over his native Franklin when Crabtree Furniture & Appliance was consolidated into one location.
The LoJo
This is the first edition of a new feature of The Logan Journal. Speaking of Business will be appear periodically. The concept, as you can see, is to report news about businesses, professionals and industries with some commentary thrown in.
The LoJo is also instituting a new advertising venue for local businesses, professionals and industries. Those who become part of the Business Package will be entitled to an annual major feature story on the company plus the right to be included in Speaking of Business frequently.
The fee for the Business Package is $100 per year, starting with the first story.
This is separate from color advertising rates ($60 per month for banner ads at the top of pages, $35 per month for button ads along the side). Every ad is in color. Paid advertisers, however, by this Feb. 15 will qualify for inclusion in the Business Package this year without extra charge.
Lewisburg Banking Company, WRUS, Riley-White and Crabtree Furniture are current advertisers on The LoJo.
For the year 2015, the online newspaper www.theloganjournal.com drew 15.5 million ‘hits.’ That’s an average of almost 1.3 million hits per month or about 42,000 per day. A total of 730 articles and 352 News Briefs appeared on The LoJo during the past 12 months.
For more information about the Business Package, to advertise or to sign up for the service, email jimturner@loganjournal.com.
To see examples of business features, check out these or more:
Ski Daddy’s:
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features293
Brian White
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news550
Brooks & Hendricks attorneys
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features284
SouthPoint Risk Advisors
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features305
Dr. Jenny Brown-Todd
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features330
Wesley Wright woodworking
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features412
Elmer Jenkins, H&R Agri-Power
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features352
Ernie’s Lawn Mower Repair
http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=features174