COUNTYBANK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF JIMMY FOWLER

Countybank, a financial institution headquartered in the Upstate of South Carolina since 1933, announced the retirement of James R. “Jimmy” Fowler, Jr., Executive Vice President and Anderson Market Executive.  

Fowler spent 41 years in banking, including the last 26 years at Countybank. Throughout his career, Fowler served in numerous leadership roles with the Independent Banks of South Carolina (IBSC), eventually serving as its President in 2021.  He was also the 2019 recipient of the IBSC’s prestigious Leadership Award, which is annually awarded to one independent banker in South Carolina who demonstrates outstanding service to the independent banking industry and local community.    

During Fowler’s 26 years at Countybank, he served in various leadership roles.  As an Executive Vice President, Fowler previously served as Countybank’s Director of Commercial Banking and Strategic Initiatives before moving to Anderson to serve as Anderson Market Executive for the last few years. While working in Greenwood, Greenville, and Anderson, Fowler led many of Countybank’s business development efforts and was instrumental in helping the organization grow throughout the Upstate.  

“Jimmy has been a well-respected leader and banker during his entire career with Countybank,” said Kenneth M. Harper, Chief Banking Officer.  “Over the years, he held critical leadership positions in each of our lines of business—from retail and commercial banking, to trust, investments, insurance, and mortgage—and his leadership has been instrumental to our growth, and impactful with respect to our culture.” 

Fowler is a 1983 graduate of Wofford College and received additional education at the North Carolina School of Banking and the Southeastern Trust School at Campbell University.  

“Jimmy is known in the Upstate as a servant leader,” said Countybank’s President/CEO R. Thornwell Dunlap, III.  “He’s modeled a ‘people first’ leadership style for the numerous associates he’s mentored, not only in his business activities butalso through the countless hours of volunteer service he gives inour communities.”

Fowler founded the regional chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the Lakelands; served as the chaplain of the Emerald High School football team for 7 years; and more recently served as a mentor to student athletes at Wofford College. He has also served on the Advancement Council at the Greenville Healthcare Systems, YMCA Boards in Greenville and Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College Foundation Board, Greenville County Chamber Advisory Board, and Cancer Survivor Park Board.  He served as a longtime Elder and Trustee at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood.  

Fowler and his wife, Julie, reside on Lake Hartwell near Anderson.  Fowler plans to enjoy his retirement by continuing his community service endeavors and enjoying time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  

For more information on Countybank and its service to Upstate communities since its inception in 1933 during The Great Depression, visit www.ecountybank.com/about-us or follow Countybank on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.