NorthWest Bank & Trust was founded in March of 2004 by a group of like-minded business and community leaders who banked on a simple idea… that people still cared about quality.  From this understanding emerged a bank that cares about the community and the citizens that call it home.

Michael Knowles,
President & Chief Executive Officer

Mike has over twenty three years of banking experience and has worked with Wachovia Bank, Riverside Bank, The Chattahoochee Bank, First Union National Bank and Citicorp, Inc.  Mike earned a degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma in 1987, and is a graduate of the University of Colorado Graduate Banking School.

Mike currently serves on the Board of Trustees for North Metro Technical College, the Cobb County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Kennesaw Museum Foundation. He is also serving as the Financial Services Chairman for the Aviation Museum Capital Campaign.  Mike was appointed to the SPLOST Citizens Oversight Committee in November of 2005.  He also served on the Board of Directors for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce from 2000-2006, and chaired the North Cobb Area Council in 2005. Mike was named 2006 Acworth Citizen of the Year.

His community involvement includes teaching Character Education in high schools, supporting the Boy Scouts of America, and volunteering for many other community and political activities. As the leader of a true community bank, Mike firmly demonstrates his dedication, both professionally and personally, to the Core Values of NorthWest Bank & Trust…”Honesty, integrity and an unwavering commitment to quality customer."

James Durham
Chairman, Senior Business Development Officer

Jimmy has been in banking for the better part of twenty years and assisted in the organization and opening of NorthWest Bank & Trust in 2004.  His banking career began in 1962 when he worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Jimmy was also involved in the 1990 organization of Allatoona Federal Savings Bank and served on the Board of Directors and as Senior Vice-President and Loan Officer. He continued with Premier Bank when they acquired Allatoona Federal, and then with BB&T after their merger. Jimmy attended Atlanta Law School, Georgia State College and Kennesaw State University. He is also a Navy Veteran and served six years in the 1960’s.

Jimmy is the 2007 Chairman for the Foundation Board of Trustees of North Metro Technical College, and also currently sits on the Cobb County Parks Bond Citizens Advisory Committee.  Jimmy coordinated several Partners-In-Education programs with local schools including Durham Middle School which honors his family’s name. A lifetime resident of Cobb County, Jimmy’s heritage dates back to 1831 when the county was settled. His commitment and friendship to the community is unsurpassed.

Otis Brumby, Jr., Director Emeritus
Calvin Diemer
James Durham, Chairman
Heath Garrett
Scott Gregory, Jr.
Robert Ingram
Michael Knowles, President & CEO
Gregg Litchfield
Lee Partain
Ben Tarbutton, III
Lindsey Tippins
R. Steve Tumlin, Jr.