South Georgia Bank (SGB) Claxton Branch Manager Jonathan Dutton has over 20 years of experience, and his business education and financial training are pluses in his ability to fully serve the bank customers.

A 1995 graduate of Pinewood Christian Academy (PCA), Jonathan attended Georgia Southern University (GSU) where he earned his degree in Business Management in 2000.  Within a week of graduation, Jonathan began working at SGB in Glennville. He worked in all departments, starting as a teller, bookkeeper, and in the loan department. He is also a graduate of the Georgia Banking School, which is a three-year commitment of classes.  Jonathan has continued his education in the banking industry with regular training and updates in the areas of technology and banking regulations.

“Even though I worked in all departments, I was most heavily trained as a loan officer.  However, until 2004, I worked in Glennville, but then that same year was transferred to the Claxton bank office as Branch Manager,” he said.

“I have enjoyed my job here in Claxton and getting to know many of the local citizens who bank with us. I like being involved in the community and the local civic clubs, and I was warmly welcomed to be a part of them,” Jonathan added.  “I have always thought it was important to be involved and to give back to the communities in which we live and work.”

He has truly made a commitment as a community partner in his service to Evans County. Joining the Claxton Rotary Club in 2004, Jonathan served as president of the Claxton Rotary Club in 2021-2022, and was secretary for about eight years before taking the presidency.  Since serving as president, Jonathan once again has the office of secretary, one of the most time-consuming positions in Rotary clubs.

“I have enjoyed my membership in Rotary and the ability to get to know the business people in the county.  Club membership offers ideal networking opportunities, so I have gotten to know many of the bank customers much better on a personal and civic level,” he said.

Jonathan has also been an officer in the past in the Claxton-Evans County Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club’s annual big fundraiser is a scholarship auction, which they share with the Chamber. He praised  Tammy Hall, the Chamber Executive Director, for her leadership and the opportunity to work with her on local projects.

Jonathan serves on the Board of the Glennville Recreation Commission as well as serving on the PCA Board of Governors from 2019 to 2024.

“I really like my profession as a banker.  It is satisfying when you know you are helping your customers reach their financial goals, whether it is a new home, vehicle purchase, or well-deserved vacation.  The largest portion of our loans are consumer loans, but we also provide commercial and agricultural lending, “ said Jonathan.

He also salutes his staff for their expertise and friendly and competent service to the SGB customers. These include Assistant Branch Manager Rosalind Ivey; Teller Supervisor Ashton Eason; and Tellers Amy Kraus, Elaine Akins, Emma Jones, and Evan Anderson.

“To be successful, you need to surround yourself with good people, and we have a great team of employees at our Claxton office,” said Jonathan.

Jonathan’s superb work ethics come from two hard-working parents, Dale and Debbie Dutton. Dale, after retiring as administrator of Glenvue Nursing Home with a 26-year career there,  was elected Tattnall County Tax Commissioner and retired in 2019 after serving 18 years in that office. Debbie was a dedicated and much loved elementary teacher, first in the public school system and later retiring as a fourth grade teacher at PCA. They are now both enjoying their retirement years and following their grandchildren’s many activities and sports teams.

Jonathan has three brothers: Matthew, Bryan, and Drew. Matthew and wife Alisha live in the Mendes area with their three children, twins Hadley and Harrison and son Hayes. Matthew is an engineer at Plant Hatch, and Alisha is a teacher at PCA. Bryan is the office manager for Adams Poultry & Hardware as well as a poultry farmer with three chicken houses  in Glennville where he and his wife, Jessica, an instructional coach at South Tattnall Elementary School (STES), live with their two daughters, Tattnall County High School sophomore Sophia and South Tattnall Middle School eighth grader Hallie. Drew, the youngest of the four brothers, is single and owns his own company, Dutton Telecommunications, a fiber optic/cable provider.

Jonathan’s wife is Lori, the daughter of Donna and Alex Tootle, who are both retired. Lori is a special education teacher at STES, and Lori’s sister, Katie DeLoach, is the Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Tattnall County High School (TCHS).  Katie is married to Cal, who owns a construction company.  They have two children; Wilton is a senior at TCHS, and Cali is a freshman.

Jonathan and Lori’s children are Anna Kate, Pearce, and Dalex. Anna Kate is a junior at the University of Georgia majoring in Occupational Therapy; Pearce is a freshman at GSU majoring in Chemistry; and Dalex is a fifth grader at STES.

Jonathan and Lori attend Hopewell Methodist Church where Lori co-teaches the adult Sunday School class with Nick Tatum.

Although Jonathan stays very busy with his banking career and following and supporting his kids’ many activities and endeavors, when time permits, he enjoys playing golf, hunting, watching college football, and gardening, planting both a summer and fall garden.

“We are here to help our customers reach their financial goals and look forward to assisting them in that capacity,” added Jonathan.