William E. Dorroh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Bank of Louisiana announced today that the locally owned community bank had submitted an application to open an office in Sabine parish. In making the announcement, Mr. Dorroh stated that the bank had engaged longtime Sabine parish banker JJ Blake to serve as its senior vice president and lending
officer for the new location. “JJ brings to Community Bank a 38 year reputation for honesty, integrity and business. With his community involvement, we feel he is a perfect fit for our bank and our new Many Office.”
Community Bank of Louisiana is a 118 year old locally owned bank headquartered in Mansfield with ten existing offices. The Many location will be its eleventh office. The bank has risen to one of the most successful and innovative banks in the state and nation with over $500 million in total assets and over $45 million in capital. The bank boast the size and capacity to serve virtually any consumer or commercial need and the infrastructure to offer customers the very latest in banking technology.
Mr. Blake joins the bank after a stellar career with the locally owned Peoples State Bank which transitioned to Midsouth Bank in 2012. After a brief retirement in 2018, Blake has returned to the banking industry to serve his beloved Many and Sabine parish. “I am so please to be joining Community Bank of Louisiana. I missed my customers and friends that I made over the last 38 years and will welcome them to our new location with great service and local decisions. CBL and I share the same banking values and goals.” Blake is a longtime Many resident and public servant having served in numerous local organizations including The Knights of Columbus and Rotary Club where he served as past president. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech, the Banking School of the South and holds a masters from Centenary College. Blake is married to Sharon Peterson Blake, has four children Whitney Wimer, Allie Byrd, Callie Pedersen and Jack Blake and five grandchildren Noah, Waylon, Beckett, Sam and Luke. “If all goes well, we will be opening a temporary location at 795 San Antonio Street in the fall. Shortly following, we hope to be breaking ground on our new, permanent office which will offer our customers a convenient location with the newest banking technology,” said Blake.
Both Blake and Dorroh welcome new customers and new employment applications for the upcoming office. “We are here for the long-term and want to continue being dedicated
Community Bankers who enjoy serving their customers and friends while making a difference in the lives and families and communities they serve,” concluded Dorroh.