The president and CEO of Newport’s Sugar Hill Bank is going to have the FIDC’s ear as it seeks advice on issues affecting community banks.

Mark Pitkin was named to the FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking on Tuesday along with Great Falls, Virginia-based Trustar Bank CEO Shaza Andersen, New Salem, North Dakota-based Security First Bank CEO Sarah Getzlaff and Laredo, Texas-based Falcon International Bank President and CEO Gilbert Navarez Jr.

Pitkin has worked at Sugar River Bank for over 24 years. He also acts as a director of Washington, D.C. based BancAlliance and of the Community Bankers of New Hampshire. He is the immediate past chairman of the NH Bankers Association and chairman of The Housing for the Elderly and Handicapped of Newport, Inc.

Established in 2009, the advisory committee members represent a cross-section of community bankers from around the country.

“The members of the advisory committee serve as the voice of community bankers nationwide,” FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have such talented and highly respected professionals as a resource to provide key information and input to the FDIC on issues facing community banks. I look forward to working with the advisory committee members.”

The Advisory Committee on Community Banking discusses and provides input to the FDIC on a wide variety of topics, including current examination policies and procedures, credit and lending practices, deposit insurance assessments, insurance coverage and regulatory compliance.