Sea Island Bank, a division of Synovus Bank, announced the retirement of Jerry Barton, Savannah City President. Jerry has been a member of the Sea Island Bank team since 2004 when he led their successful expansion into the Savannah market.

According to Darron Burnette, President and CEO of Sea Island Bank, “Jerry has been instrumental in building a great team of bankers and helping us establish our presence in Savannah. It’s been a productive 10 years with Jerry on our team and we’re certainly going to miss his leadership in the market.”

Jerry began his banking career in 1969 and has spent his entire career in the Savannah market serving in various executive positions.  

Jerry has been active in the Savannah Community over the years. He is a member of Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Council and Savannah Rotary West. He has served as the Chairman of the Armstrong Atlantic State University Educational Properties Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Armstrong Atlantic State University Foundation, Board of Director of Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and Union Mission.

Ken Rabitsch, Commercial Lead Manager for the Savannah market, has been announced as Jerry Barton’s successor and promoted to Savannah City President, effective April 30th.

“Ken has an in-depth knowledge of banking and has managed our Savannah commercial lending team for the past ten years. We are fortunate to have someone like Ken to lead our continued growth in the market. I am confident that he will do an excellent job for our bank,” says Burnette.

Ken has 21 years of banking experience with a concentration in commercial lending and business banking. He joined Sea Island Bank in March of 2004 to lead the Commercial Banking Team in Savannah. Rabitsch is a member of both the Senior Leadership Team and Credit Committee for Sea Island Bank. In 2013, he also participated in the Synovus Strategic Leadership Program, Cultural Trust Committee, and the Synovus Loan Policy Committee.

Rabitsch has most recently served his community as the Treasurer and an active member of the Executive Committee for Royce Learning Center from 2004 through 2013. He is also involved at The Savannah Golf Club where he has recently served on the Finance Committee and Golf Course Long Range Planning Committees. Rabitsch is a member of First Baptist Church of the Islands. 

He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Finance/Risk Management.