Petersburg, W.Va. July 29, 2026 — Highlands Bank is pleased to announce that Kim Davis Wilson
has officially assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than three decades of community banking experience and a proven record of leadership, strategic
growth, and community engagement.
Wilson joins Highlands Bank with an accomplished 32-year career spanning commercial banking, credit analysis, lending, business development, executive leadership, and bank formation. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about strengthening communities through relationship banking by developing employees and empowering them to succeed.
Donald J. Baker Jr., Chairman of the Highlands Bank Board of Directors, said Wilson’s experience and leadership made her the clear choice to guide the bank into its next chapter.
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we are excited to welcome Kim Davis Wilson as our new President and CEO,” Baker said. “Her enthusiasm, coupled with the vast experience she brings to the position, makes her the ideal choice to lead us into the next phase of our bank’s operations.
Opening a new branch in Falling Waters, along with rebranding our bank’s name, is solid proof that our bank is growing and will be well positioned to continue delivering profitability to our shareholders and exceptional service to all the communities we serve. Kim will be an integral part of that growth.”
“Community banking is about people,” Wilson said. “It is about helping families achieve their dreams, supporting businesses at every stage of growth, and investing in the communities we call home. I am honored to join Highlands Bank and look forward to building on the remarkable foundation that our employees, customers and Board have created over the past 124 years.”
Wilson began her banking career in credit analysis, regulatory compliance and policy development before advancing into lending, business development, and executive leadership.
She later served as Chief Executive Officer of a Florida credit union, where she successfully expanded membership eligibility, led a complete organizational rebrand, and implemented significant technology enhancements that fueled growth.
She was then recruited to launch a new community bank from the ground up, writing the bank charter, raising capital, developing operational systems, and overseeing the institution’s successful opening. Wilson also led the bank’s branding efforts, including naming and trademarking both the bank and its holding company.
During her career, Wilson simultaneously served as Chief Executive Officer of two financial institutions and a bank holding company, working with multiple boards of directors and regulatory agencies while guiding strategic growth across Georgia and Florida. Her leadership played a key role in successful mergers and acquisitions that created significant value for shareholders while positioning the institutions for continued success.
Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, a Master of Business Administration in Finance, and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
As President and CEO, Wilson’s focus will be on preserving Highlands Bank’s strong culture, supporting employees, strengthening customer relationships, and continuing the bank’s thoughtful growth throughout the Potomac Highlands region.
“Leadership begins with serving others,” Wilson said. “Highlands Bank has an outstanding culture, and my goal is to build on that foundation by fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement throughout the organization. When our employees have the support, tools, and opportunities they need to succeed, our customers, our communities, and our bank all thrive together.”
Wilson also expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome she has already received from employees and the community.
“I have been incredibly impressed by the dedication of our team and by Highlands Bank’s genuine commitment to the communities we serve,” she said. “I am excited to get to know
customers, strengthen existing relationships, build new ones, and help lead Highlands Bank into its next chapter while honoring the values that have made Highlands Bank successful for generations.”
Outgoing President and CEO George Ford expressed his confidence in the Board’s decision and the future of Highlands Bank under Wilson’s leadership.
“Throughout this process, our Board was committed to finding the right person to lead Highlands Bank into its next chapter, and I am confident we found that person in Kim. She brings an incredible depth of banking experience, a strong strategic vision, and a genuine passion for community banking. Just as importantly, she understands that our people and our customers are the heart of this organization. I know she will be an outstanding leader for Highlands Bank, and I look forward to working alongside her during this transition to help ensure her success and the continued success of the bank.”
Ford recently transitioned from his role as President and CEO and now serves as Executive Advisor, where he will assist with the leadership transition and continue supporting the bank’s long-term success.
