Press Releases

Lewis N. Miller Jr., Wachovia’s chief executive officer for Virginia, said, "Kenton McCartney has made many contributions to banking during the past three decades. For the past two years, he has played a crucial role in helping to establish a strong Virginia franchise for Wachovia following its mergers with Central Fidelity and Jefferson National Bank. We are fortunate to have such a seasoned banker as Jim Cherry to assume the Virginia presidency for Wachovia. He is a strong leader who will continue shaping Wachovia to the changing financial needs of our customers."

McCartney joined Jefferson Bankshares in 1984 as chief credit officer and became president and chief executive officer in 1994. Under his leadership, Jefferson’s assets grew to $2.1 billion, making it the fifth largest banking company in the state at the time of the merger with Wachovia in 1997. From 1968 to 1984 he was affiliated with Wachovia, where he held a number of corporate banking management positions.

McCartney is a native of Lynchburg and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He serves as president of the Virginia Banker’s Association and on the boards of Martha Jefferson Hospital, Pulaski Furniture Corp. and Shenandoah University. He also serves on the advisory board of Central Virginia Public Television.

Cherry was born in Lynchburg and is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College. He also completed the Young Manager's Program at the Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia. He is a trustee and past president of Sigma Nu International Fraternity, Lexington, Va., and a member of the Guilford College board of visitors. He also serves as a board member of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers and Maymont Foundation.