After nearly ten years, Linden native, Katie Echols, has returned to the area, and she brings with her experiences that she hopes will be useful as the new Human Resources Manager for Robertson Banking Company in Demopolis.

Echols graduated from Marengo Academy in Linden in 1996, then immediately set off for Auburn University. In 2000, she graduated with a degree in marketing, and moved to Birmingham where she started her career as a recruiter for SouthTrust Bank.

She was initially drawn to Birmingham by the great job opportunities and the great friendships she developed in college.

The past several years have proven beneficial to Echols. Not only does she have experience working with a large corporation, but she also worked in a smaller atmosphere while employed by a mortgage company. “Situations I’ve encountered in the past will help me bring new ideas to Robertson Banking Company,” Echols said.

As Human Resources Manager, Echols is in charge of employment-related issues, such as staffing decisions, payroll, benefits, turnover and retention-issues that affect Robertson Banking Company’s 95 employees.

While she has only been back in the area for one week, Echols is happy to be here. One of her main reasons for returning to Linden and Demopolis is her family. “To be active in my family’s lives is important to me,” Echols said. She is planning to settle permanently in Demopolis.