SouthState Bank today announced John Helmken has been named president of greater Georgia. In this role, Helmken will have responsibility for the bank’s operations and growth in Georgia, outside of the Atlanta market.

 “John’s leadership has been essential to growing our presence in Georgia” said Jack Goettee, president, Central Banking Group. “As a leading regional bank in the Southeast, Georgia remains an important part of SouthState’s growth strategy, and we are pleased to have John’s leadership and decades of banking experience to guide our continued expansion in the region.”

Helmken has been with SouthState and based in Georgia for more than 25 years. He is an active member of the community and state, having been on the board of directors for the Georgia Historical Society, Savannah Community Foundation, Bethesda Academy, The Savannah Country Day School and Ossabaw Island Foundation. In addition, he has served on the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and Georgia Bankers Association boards.