SAVANNAH — The Coastal Bank recently elected state Rep. Buddy Carter to serve on its board of directors. Rep. Carter, who represents House District 159 in south Effingham County and west Chatham County, was officially named to the board at the bank’s annual meeting.

“The fact that Buddy Carter is joining our board is exciting news for our customers, particularly in Chatham and Effingham County,” said Tom Wiley, president and CEO of Coastal Bankshares Inc., the parent company for The Coastal Bank. “We’re delighted to welcome such an accomplished leader to our board.”

Prior to being elected in 2005 to the House of Representatives, he served as the mayor of Pooler for five consecutive terms from 1996 to 2004. He also served as mayor pro-tem for Pooler for two years and on the planning and zoning committee for four years.

Originally from Port Wentworth, Carter currently serves in the Georgia House of Representatives as secretary of the Health and Human Services Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations, Economic Development and Industrial Relations committees.

Over the years, Carter has served as chairman of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Planning Commission and Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center and a member of the board of directors at the West Chatham YMCA and Wesley Monumental Methodist Church.

Before beginning his career in politics, Carter earned a B.S. in pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Georgia. When he is not serving his state and community, he works as a pharmacist and is the owner of Carter’s Pharmacy, Inc. with locations in Pooler, Garden City and Rincon. He and his wife, Amy, have three sons and live in Pooler.

“My connection with The Coastal Bank began first as a customer,” Carter said. “I am honored to serve on the board of a local bank with such strong ties to the community at large.”