G. ROBERT ASTON

In 1998, G. Robert Aston and friends launched what would become Hampton Roads‘ largest community bank from his garage. By spring 1999, TowneBank had opened three offices with the support of 4,000 founding shareholders.

Now, TowneBank has 2,700 employees across more than 50 locations in Virginia and parts of North Carolina, reporting $18.26 billion in assets as of June 30. It completed its $203 million purchase of Old Point Financial in September, and in August, the bank signed an agreement to acquire North Carolina-based Dogwood State Bank for approximately $476.2 million.

That’s only the latest developments in Aston’s six-decade banking career, which stretches back to 1964. In 1981, he became president and CEO of Citizens Trust Co. He went on to lead Commerce Bank and BB&T of Virginia before founding TowneBank, where he served as board chairman and CEO for 20 years. Aston has been executive chairman since 2018.

“From the beginning, our goal at TowneBank was to build a great community asset,” Aston says. “It is anchored in our DNA.”

Forbes has repeatedly named TowneBank to its 100-bank America’s Best Banks list, and American Banker recognized the bank in its 2023 Best Banks to Work For list.

Aston has received numerous recognitions for his community involvement, including the Hampton Roads Chamber’s First Citizen of Hampton Roads award and a lifetime achievement award from Volunteer Hampton Roads. He also holds honorary doctorates from Old Dominion University and Virginia Wesleyan University, where he is a trustee and significant donor.