SPOTLIGHT
Beyond the Bank – South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton From 5Ks to Half Marathons: How South Georgia Banking Company’s Running Culture Fuels Growth and Community For years, South Georgia Banking Company, Tifton, has encouraged employees to hit the pavement by covering entry fees for local 1-mile and 5K races. What started as a company-sponsored wellness initiative has turned into a personal and professional journey for three team members who have since progressed to running 10Ks and half marathons. Along the way, they’ve built not only endurance but also lasting friendships, resilience, and a stronger sense of community.
Ashley Castillo
Samantha Chavez
Kayla Yawn
Meet Ashley Castillo, Head Teller, Cordele, Samantha Chavez, Universal banker, Tifton, and Kayla Yawn, Retail Administrative Assistant, Administration Office, Tifton.
What first inspired you to participate in the local 1-mile or 5K events sponsored by the bank? Kayla: I grew up running, but life got busy. When the bank offered to sponsor employees in races, that was the perfect time to get back into it. I started training with my dad and have been running ever since. Ashley: Kayla motivated me to participate in the 5K events, and, when we heard that the bank was a sponsor, we thought it was a great way to promote community involvement as employees. Samantha: My colleagues inspired me. After hearing about workouts and afternoon runs, I decided it was a good opportunity to get to know my coworkers.
How did you progress from running smaller local races to tackling 10Ks and half marathons? When did you decide to do these together? Ashley: After completing several 5Ks together, we gained the confidence to challenge ourselves and run longer 21 | www.cb ao fga.co m | S pr in g 2 02 5
distances, which led us to exploring 10Ks. Training with friends makes the experience much more enjoyable and keeps us motivated as a group. Samantha: Having the bank’s support along with helping the local community was a no-brainer to keep moving forward. Being new to banking, I wanted to be more involved in the community, and this was a great way to start.
What has been the most rewarding part of your running journey so far? Kayla: Running is such a mental sport; your brain gives up before your body does. You must TELL yourself you CAN, even when everything is telling you that you cannot. Ashley: The sense of accomplishment I feel after completing a race! Samantha: The most rewarding part of running has been crossing that finish line, no matter what, and knowing all the time spent training has paid off. It is an immense sense of accomplishment!
How has running influenced your mindset or approach to tackling difficult tasks, either personally or professionally? Ashley: Running teaches discipline, endurance, and goal setting, which parallels the skills I use in my role at the bank. It has motivated me to keep pushing forward in tough situations. [continued]