John Hylton
SVP - North Market Executive
Pinnacle Bank, Lavonia, GA
Member, GBA Agriculture Committee
Published March 5, 2026
Q: What was your first job, and is there a lesson you learned there that you still use today?
A: My first job/career out of college was in the construction industry working for a Georgia based lumber supply company. That job taught me not only how to lead but also how to run a business and read financial statements.
Q: What was the most useful piece of advice you received from a mentor?
A: My first mentor in banking was the gentleman who hired me to work with Pinnacle Bank, Bruce Knighton, and he exemplified being a heart led leader. He told me leading and managing are vastly different; anyone can manage but only a select few can truly be leaders that people will follow. John Maxwell said and I am paraphrasing, “if you think you are leading and no one is following, you are simply taking a walk”.
Q: Tell us about one experience that exemplifies being a banker or your role at the bank.
A: I started my career in banking in my mid 30’s and was well behind my peers from a knowledge standpoint, and someone told me that people will give you grace on your knowledge if they know you will take care of them and find the answer. People are concerned more about how much you care than how much you know. This has been the foundation of my banking career and something I really took to heart. One example of this happened early in my career, me and my family were in Disney World on vacation, and I found out that a customer’s wife had passed away. I asked my wife if she would be opposed to leaving the night before our expected departure so I could be back to attend the service. Graciously my wife agreed and I drove through the night to get back home and attend the service. While this did not have anything to do with banking it had everything to do with showing them I cared and that customer has banked with me ever since. To me this is what community banking is all about caring for the people that are in your community.
Q: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: I am a big hockey fan! I grew up in Colorado and never really got a chance to play hockey, but I love the sport. I have introduced my family to hockey and they all love going to games and watching the sport as well. Watching USA hockey beat Canada was awesome and something I would have loved to do in person but maybe something I will try to do in 4 years.
Q: Book that you love/has made an impact?
A: My favorite book is the Bible and something I start my day off with. I recently read The Way of The Shepherd by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak. This book was given to me by Bronson Lavender, who is my boss, and it is about leadership and lessons from shepherding sheep that the author applied to business and leading people. It is an easy read and a fantastic book.
Q: Pet peeve?
A: Negative people. We don’t necessarily have a choice in the outcome of every situation, but we do get to choose our attitude and outlook.
Q: TV show or series you love?
A: As mentioned above, I love hockey, so I purchase the NHL package every year and watch when I get the chance. As a concession, I do also have to sit through some Great American Family or Hallmark movies with my wife since she loves me enough to watch hockey with me.