Donna McKown to retire from Crews Bank & Trust. Justin Fussell named successor.

Wauchula, Fla., April 30, 2024 – After 44 years with Crews Bank & Trust, Donna McKown, Market President, has announced she will be retiring at the end of May. Justin Fussell, who serves as Market President in DeSoto County, will oversee banking services in both DeSoto and Hardee Counties.

An Open House will be held 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at Crews Bank & Trust, also known as the Historic Wauchula State Bank Building, at 106 E. Main St., Wauchula. Customers and community members are invited to honor McKown and welcome Fussell to his new role.

“Donna has set the gold standard for Crews Bank; she’s been a pillar of our organization,” stated M.W. “Larry” McLaren IV, Chief Banking Officer. “Throughout her years of dedicated service, Donna has embodied our company's values and exemplified true leadership. As she transitions to retirement, her legacy of stewardship, integrity, and premier service will continue to inspire and guide us.”

McKown began her banking career in 1980 with Wauchula State Bank, the first of the Crews Bank & Trust legacy banks. She began her tenure as a proof operator, and quickly advanced to other positions including administrative and management roles. In 1990, she became an officer, and in 1997 was named Executive Vice President. She was appointed President in January 2018.

During her career, McKown has touched every aspect of the business and was instrumental in growing and managing the branch network in the Heartland Counties. Her focus and passion have been the delivery of exceptional customer service and partnering with each member of the Crews Bank family to share the bank’s story and its purpose to build relationships that span generations. “It is those relationships, with our employees, our customers, and our communities, that have been so rewarding throughout my years with this family-owned business,” shared McKown.

“Justin was the obvious choice to lead the Hardee County locations,” commented McLaren. “He has embraced every challenge thrown at him with a positive attitude. His breadth of knowledge, leadership, and expertise in so many areas will serve our customers and communities well.”

Justin Fussell joined the Bank as Market President in August 2022, with experience in commercial lending, financial management and marketing. Fussell graduated from the University of Florida, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, earning a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education and communication with a specialization in communications and leadership development, and minors in management, sales of agribusiness, and leadership.

"I'm excited to be a part of the Hardee County market,” commented Fussell. “I have close ties to this community, being a seventh-generation Floridian with half of my lineage coming from Hardee County. The Wauchula and Arcadia communities are Crews Bank & Trust landmarks, our first two banks, with Wauchula opening in 1929 and then Arcadia in 1973. My goal is to continue building relationships that span generations."

McKown may be reached at dmckown@crews.bank or 863-767-5019 and Fussell at jfussell@crews.bank or 863-491-5282.

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