Appalachian Bancshares Inc. Appoints Gary Middleton as Regional President for Murray and Whitfield Counties


ELLIJAY, Ga., Aug. 14, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Appalachian Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq:APAB) has appointed Gary A. Middleton as regional president for its Appalachian Community Bank operations in Chatsworth and surrounding communities in Murray and Whitfield counties.

Previously, Middleton was president, chief executive officer and board member of First National Bank of Chatsworth, for which he had worked since 1992. In his new position, he oversees Appalachian Community Bank's banking center operations and collective business development efforts in Murray and Whitfield counties.

"Our growth strategy is based on finding talented bankers and building the bank around them, and this is exactly what we have done with the hiring of Gary Middleton," said Tracy R. Newton, chief executive officer of Appalachian Bancshares. "Gary is a gifted, well-respected community banker who has deep ties to Murray and Whitfield counties. He brings a wealth of leadership and management skills that will be instrumental as we continue to grow our presence in north Georgia."

"Working for Appalachian Community Bank is an exciting opportunity for me," said Middleton. "This is a fast growing, service-oriented community bank that is built on a core philosophy that I share -- building long-lasting customer relationships by providing friendly service that meets each customer's banking needs. I look forward to continuing to serve the people in Murray and Whitfield counties."

Prior to his leadership position at First National Bank of Chatsworth, Middleton served as executive vice president of Hardwick Bank and Trust Company in Dalton, Ga., where he also was a member of the board of directors. He began his career at First National Bank of Dalton, where he worked as a teller, vault teller, proof operator and banking officer.

A former graduate of Leadership Dalton, Middleton has long been an active supporter of the Dalton and Chatsworth communities. In addition to serving on the board of trustees of the Hamilton Healthcare System and Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, he is on the business advisory council at Dalton State College, serves as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Chatsworth, serves as chairman for Murray Medical Center and is a member of the Chatsworth Rotary Club.

Middleton is a graduate of the Georgia Banking School in Athens, Ga., and the community bank management program at the School for Bank Administration in Madison, Wis.

About Appalachian Bancshares Inc.

Appalachian Bancshares Inc., based in Ellijay, Ga., is the $827 million-asset bank holding company of Appalachian Community Bank, a state-chartered bank organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, and Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B., a federally chartered thrift. Through its subsidiaries, Appalachian Bancshares provides a full range of community banking services to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, real estate developers, contractors and farmers. Appalachian Community Bank, which also operates under the trade name of Gilmer County Bank, has full-service banking offices throughout North Georgia in Ellijay, East Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Chatsworth, Dawsonville and Dahlonega. Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B. has full-service banking offices in McCaysville, Ga., Ducktown, Tenn., and Murphy, N.C. The common stock of Appalachian Bancshares is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the symbol APAB. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.apab.com.



            

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