Oconee State Bank added banking veteran Jim McLemore as its new chief financial officer.

McLemore has more than 35 years of banking experience, most recently as CEO of MidSouth Bank, a $1.7 billion asset institution headquartered in Lafayette, LA.

“Jim has a unique mix of exceptional experience, high character, and an authentic sense of humility,” said President and CEO Neil Stevens. “Jim is well known and highly respected within banking circles across the Southeast, and we look forward to having his perspective as we continue our plans to remain independent and foster strategic growth.”

As CEO at MidSouth, he led a successful turnaround of the bank during his tenure. As CFO, he led the bank through an initial public offering process that raised more than $40 million. A certified public accountant and a chartered financial analyst, he begins his tenure at Oconee State on Dec. 16.

Prior to MidSouth, he was the CFO of Security Bank, a $2.8 billion publicly traded bank based in Macon, GA, where he led the bank through its IPO process. Earlier in his career, McLemore also served as CFO for the The Independent Bankers Bank and IberiaBank, as a staff accountant for the SEC and as an audit manager at Mauldin & Jenkins.