After 52 years with Hancock Bank, George Schloegel, president and CEO, has retired.

Schloegel started in the mail room at the bank in 1956.

The 68-year-old Schloegel said he will miss the daily interactions and routines at the bank, but he will continue serving as chairman of the board and he plans to help out with business development.

He also plans to stay active in many civic projects, such as serving on the Gulfport Redevelopment Commission and chairman of the Infinity project in Hancock County.

In 1956, there were three Hancock Bank locations: Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and Gulfport. Today the bank has 160 locations in four states in the Southeast.