Blue Ridge Bank hired Gary R. Shook as president and chief banking officer. He will be based in Charlottesville, VA and join the board of directors as a member.

Shook most recently served as president of the Middleburg Bank Division of Access National Bank, chairman and CEO of Middleburg Investment Group and chairman of Middleburg Trust Company. He previously was president and CEO of Middleburg Financial before its merger with Access in 2017.

“Gary is a tremendous addition for Blue Ridge Bank as we look to the future,” said Brian K. Plum, CEO of Blue Ridge and president/CEO of Blue Ridge Bankshares. “Gary brings incredible experience and success as a proven bank leader who can successfully build and sustain a growing franchise that connects different geographies. I could not be happier about Gary’s decision to join us.”

“I am thrilled to be joining Brian Plum and his team at Blue Ridge as we together continue to grow an already strong, high touch community bank into the leader in all of our chosen markets,” Shook said.

Founded in 1893, Luray, VA-based Blue Ridge Bank provides a wide range of financial services and has offices located throughout Virginia and North Carolina.