**EXHIBIT 31.1**

|1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-QSB of Heritage Financial Group;                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of material
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of
the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect
to the period covered by this report;
|3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information
included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods
presented in this report;                 
|4. | The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and
maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) for the registrant and have;                                                                              
|   | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|   | (b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|   | (c)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|5. | The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's auditors and
the audit committee of Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):             
|   | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
|   | (b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

|Date:  August 15, 2005 | By: | /s/ O. Leonard Dorminey

O. Leonard Dorminey

President and Chief Executive Officer
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