Lance A. Morrison joined Civista Bank as senior vice president and general counsel for both the bank and the holding company. He succeeds Corporate Secretary James E. McGookey, who is retiring on December 31, 2018.

“Jim’s insight and guidance the past 16 years has been instrumental in Civista’s continued growth,” said Dennis G. Shaffer, Civista president and CEO.

McGookey served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary since 2002. He was named Executive Vice President of Civista Bank in 2013. Prior to joining Civista, he was a law partner in Buckingham, Lucal, McGookey & Zeiher, where he represented Civista from 2000 to 2002.

Morrison comes to Civista with over 25 years of legal experience, including five years as general counsel in the banking industry and as a judge advocate with the U.S. Naval Academy.

Headquartered in Sandusky, OH, Civista Bank operates 38 locations in Northern, Central and Southwestern Ohio, Southeastern Indiana and Northern Kentucky.