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News/Press Releases  FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Baton
Rouge businessman Pace elected Hancock Bank of Louisiana chairman; BATON ROUGE, LA (May 18, 2005) - One of America's strongest, safest financial institutions - 105-year-old Hancock Bank - has named Baton Rouge business leader John H. Pace as chairman of the company's Louisiana board of directors, according to a recent announcement by Hancock senior executives. Pace will serve as Hancock Bank of Louisiana (HBLA) chairman also joins Biloxi, MS, businessman Alton G. Bankston and fellow Louisianan Don Descant of Bunkie and as one of three new Hancock Holding Company directors elected during the company's annual shareholders meeting in Gulfport, MS. "We are extremely pleased that John Pace has accepted this appointment as chairman of the Hancock Bank of Louisiana board of directors," said George A. Schloegel, HBLA president and CEO. "His leadership, business acumen, and strong community commitment, along with the expertise of veteran businessmen and Hancock Holding Company directors such as Don Descant and Alton Bankston, will further strengthen our Gulf South business and civic partnerships and help guide our Hancock organization toward greater successes." Pace succeeds A. Hartie Spence, whose term as HBLA chairman ended this month.
A native of Pace, MS - so named for his grandfather, Pace holds a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi State University, where he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa honorary and Sigma Chi fraternity, a football letterman, and Mr. Mississippi State. He was also an ROTC cadet colonel and first lieutenant in the United States Army infantry, having served in Korea. Pace is a member and deacon at Broadmoor Baptist Church and was president of the church's trustee council. Pace is a member of the Sherwood Forest Country Club and the Baton Rouge City Club.
A noted community servant, Bankston was president of the Biloxi School Board, Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation, and the Gulf Coast Apartment Association. He co-founded and was the first president of Biloxi First, a community coalition supporting Biloxi schools. The University of Southern Mississippi alumnus also served as president of the Harrison County USM Alumni Association. Bankston is a Biloxi Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, was appointed to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College board, and has been a member or officer the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Biloxi chambers of commerce, USM President's Advisory Board, Leadership Gulf Coast, Point Cadet Development Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of South Mississippi, Boy Scouts of South Mississippi, and numerous youth sports leagues.
A native and lifelong resident of Bunkie, LA, Descant graduated from Bunkie High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University and McNeese State University. His record of hometown community commitment includes 22 years as vice chairman and member of the Bunkie General Hospital board of directors and service as president of the Bunkie Chamber of Commerce. He is a former Bunkie city councilman and served in the United States Army Reserves. Descant remains active with the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Troop 144 and the Knights of Columbus. His is a member, lector, and Eucharistic minister at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Bunkie and served as president of the St. Anthony Catholic School Board. About Hancock Bank Hancock
Holding Company (NASDAQ: HBHC) has assets of $4.8 billion. Offering
comprehensive consumer, business, and wealth management financial
solutions, 105-year-old Hancock Bank operates 103 offices and more
than 140 automated teller machines throughout South Mississippi,
Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle, as well as subsidiaries Hancock
Investment Services, Inc., Hancock Insurance Agency, and Harrison
Finance Company. Hancock also manages corporate trust offices in
Baton Rouge, New Orleans, LA, Jackson, MS, and Gulfport. Additional
corporate
information and online
banking and bill-pay
services are available.
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Pace,
who has served on Hancock's Louisiana board since 1990, recently
retired as longtime president of Interstate Companies of Louisiana
and vice president of School Book Supply Company. A member of the
Baton Rouge community for 41 years, Pace spearheaded fundraising
to build a new Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and was chairman of
the original Baton Rouge Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He served
as president of the Louisiana Arts and Sciences Center and vice
president of the Council for A Better Louisiana. A Baton Rouge Rotarian,
Pace is current treasurer of the Louisiana World Presidents Association,
past president of the National School Supply and Equipment Association,
and past president of the Louisiana Young Presidents Association.
Recognized
by numerous professional publications for innovative successes in
the paint and decorating field, Bankston currently owns Bankston's
Paint Center in Biloxi. He joined the Hancock Bank board of directors
in 1995. A Laurel native, Bankston is a past recipient of the Mississippi
Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast
award and the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service
on the Coast. He is a past president, board member, and convention
chair of the 11-state Southern Decorating Products Association and
a past board member of the National Decoration and Productions Association.
The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce awarded Bankston the Educator of
the Year Award for his commitment to fostering Gulf Coast educational
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Descant
joined Hancock Bank's Louisiana board and Central Louisiana advisory
board in 1998 during Hancock's merger with American Security Bank
(ASB) of Ville Platte, LA. He served on the ASB board for nine years.
The president of M.D. Descant, Inc., general contractors for 37
years, Descant is a member and past president of the Louisiana Associated
General Contractors, Inc., and the Louisiana Licensing Board for
Contractors. He is also a former chairman of the Central Louisiana
District Association General Contractors, Inc., and a member of
the Avoyelles Parish Economic Development Board.
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