GALLIPOLIS — David W. Thomas has been appointed lead director of the Ohio Valley Banc Corp. board of directors, according to a news release issued by the company.

Thomas joined the board in 2007, using his years of experience as a bank examiner to serve as a member of the executive and audit committees.

“Dave Thomas’s expertise in the field of banking and his intricate knowledge of the bank supervisory and regulatory process made him a perfect fit for this position,” said Jeff Smith, chairman of the board and CEO.

According to the press release, the lead director presides at all meetings of the independent directors and serves as an ex-officio member of all standing committees of the corporation.

Thomas will be able to make recommendations on matters for consideration by the board of directors, oversee evaluations and performance of members of the board of directors, and oversee the corporation’s shareholder communication policies and procedures.

Ohio Valley Banc Corp. common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market under the symbol OVBC. The holding company owns three subsidiaries: Ohio Valley Bank, with 16 offices in Ohio and West Virginia; Loan Central, with six consumer finance offices in Ohio, and Ohio Valley Financial Services, an insurance agency based in Jackson, Ohio. Learn more about Ohio Valley Banc Corp. at www.ovbc.com.