Brad M. Bolton, president, CEO and senior lender of Community Spirit Bank in Red Bay, has been elected chairman-elect of the Independent Community Bankers of America for 2021-22.

His term began March 11 at the conclusion of ICBA Connect, a virtual community banking event.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be elected to represent our nation’s community banks as ICBA chairman-elect,” said Bolton, who is also a Red Bay city councilman. “I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to an industry that has meant so much to me and my community, and I am eager to get to work supporting ICBA’s mission for the benefit of rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide.”

Bolton serves in many leadership roles at ICBA. He is a member of the ICBA Executive Committee and board of directors and is chairman of the Federal Delegate Board. He is also a member of ICBA’s Policy Development and Nominating committees, serves as Executive Committee liaison to the Bank Operations and Payments committee and is ex-officio member on the ICBA Reinsurance board of directors.

A second-generation community banker, Bolton served as past chairman of the Alabama Young Bankers, known as Leadership Community Bankers. He also serves on the Legislative Committee of the Mississippi Bankers Association. He is an appointed member of the Franklin County Community Development Commission and an appointed member of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Board’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council.

“On behalf of the directors, officers and employees of Community Spirit Bank, I congratulate Brad on this recent election to chairman-elect with the Independent Community Bankers,” said Tammy B. Montgomery, director/EVP/COO of CSB. “This is most humbling and an extreme honor for both Brad and Community Spirit Bank. To be recognized nationally with this election is phenomenal.”

Montgomery said Bolton is “a true advocate and leader for community banking in every sense of the word.”

“He works tirelessly for the betterment of our industry on the local, state and national level,” Montgomery added. “We are very proud of him in this new position and are confident he will continue to make a difference in community banking as he moves to this next level of leadership with the ICBA.”

Billy M. Bolton, chairman of the Community Spirit Bank Board of Directors, praised Bolton’s “continued ascension” within the ICBA, calling it “a testimony of his hard work and dedication not only in our own bank but the association as well.”

“He truly cares about the banking industry and strives to make a difference in serving our customer’s needs and promoting community banking,” Billy Bolton added. “He loves the Independent Community Bankers of America because it is the only national association that exclusively represents the community banking sector.”