Steger retires from Bank of Botetourt Board of Directors after 45 years in Banking
Steger Retires from Bank of Botetourt Board of Directors with Over 45 Years
Buchanan, VA – H. Watts Steger, III retired from Bank of Botetourt’s Board of Directors after serving as a
Director from 1976-2021. Mr. Steger began his career with Bank of Botetourt in March of 1971, as a
Management Trainee and became Chief Executive Officer in April of 1976. When he began his career
with the Bank, it had one office in the Town of Buchanan and $6 million in total assets. Steger was
named President in February of 1984, leading the Bank in its growth and the change of its name to Bank
of Botetourt in July of 1995. Steger was named Chairman of the Board in 2001. After his retirement as
President & CEO in June of 2010, Watts continued serving on the Board of Directors and as its
Chairman.
A lifelong resident of Buchanan and Botetourt County, Steger has deep roots and a strong sense of
community. Bank President and CEO, G. Lyn Hayth, III stated “Watts has been a part of our Bank for fifty
years and we have all been blessed and privileged to have been mentored, guided, and associated with
him.” Throughout his career, Steger experienced numerous changes in the banking industry and led the
Bank from manual operations as it migrated to computer systems. He continues to be passionate about
banking and has advocated on behalf of the industry throughout his career. He has been very involved in
leadership roles in both the Virginia Bankers Association and the Virginia Association of Community
Banks, serving as Chairman of both associations.
Steger is an alumnus of Hampden-Sydney College and is also a graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of
Bank Management at the University of Virginia and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State
University. He also served as a faculty member at the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management at
the University of Virginia and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, where he
also served as President of the program.
Mr. Steger resides in the Buchanan area of Botetourt County with his wife, Linda. In retirement, he plans
to spend more time with his family and looks forward to traveling more.
–Submitted by Mary Ann Miller, VP of Community Relations and Business Banking