Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle recently appointed The Coastal Bank’s Effingham County Market President Chap Bennett to a two-year term on the Council of Regional Commissions starting July 1.

In this capacity, Bennett will act as a liaison between local residents and state government, developing policy for short-term and long-term comprehensive planning in the areas of land use, environment, transportation and historic preservation in coastal Georgia.

“Chap Bennett is an excellent choice for this prestigious council appointment,” said Tom Wiley, president and CEO of Coastal Bankshares, Inc. “His effective track record in Effingham County demonstrates that he has the strategic planning skills necessary to manage the growth of our region as a whole.”

In addition to managing The Coastal Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio and overseeing business development in Effingham County, Bennett also serves as chairman of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and the Division One Chairman for the Community Bankers Association of Georgia.

A former president of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, Bennett is an active community volunteer who has contributed to the board of directors of the Effingham County Hospital and is a member of the Homebuilders Association, Rincon Lions Club and Springfield United Methodist Church.

“I’m honored to represent our region and to provide input that will contribute to the responsible growth of our region,” Bennett said. “I look forward to working with concerned citizens in our area as well as representatives from local governments.”

Originally from Thomson, Bennett earned a finance degree from Georgia Southern University and graduated with honors from the University of Georgia’s School of Banking. He has been named one of the region’s top “40 Under 40” by the Savannah Business Report.