GRANT SIMON - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager, NMLS 166422
Job Titles:
- VP, Mortgage Banker, NMLS 365405
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President
- SVP & Head of Personal Trust Services
- Trust
Alyson is a Senior Vice President and the Head of Personal Trust Services. Prior to joining Ameris, Alyson served as counsel in private wealth services and tax practices for Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. She also worked as a trusts and estates attorney with Stewart, Melvin and Frost in North Georgia. She currently serves on the Executive and Legislative Committees of the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, and is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University College of Law, where she received multiple tax law awards and founded the Estate Planning and Wealth Management Law Society. After obtaining her J.D., Alyson attended New York University School of Law where she earned her LL.M in Taxation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from Auburn University.
Audra is a lifetime resident of Valley, Alabama where she lives with her husband and two sons. She is highly committed to the community in which she lives and brings 14 years of lending/banking experience, with the last 6 years originating single family and investment properties.
Barry is a native Charlottean who has over 25 years experience in providing superior service to the clients he has had the privilege to serve. His primary focus is to provide a seamless mortgage process for all parties involved by providing constant communication and timely updates. Barry is an avid sports fan and a die-hard Carolina Panthers fan. During his free time he enjoys playing golf, traveling and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Mortgage Branch Manager, NMLS 627358
Job Titles:
- Area Production Manager, NMLS 336695
Bob LeMoine is a recognized and proven industry veteran with a reputation of attention to detail and professionalism. As a dedicated mortgage banker, Bob consistently exceeds the expectations of his clients and believes in building relationships for life. Taking pride in the type of service he extends to his customers, Bob takes the time to assess each family's situation. He has the ability to generate comprehensive financing options, enabling each client to achieve their current goals of home ownership, yet at the same time, mapping out a plan that will meet their needs for the future. Educating each borrower and ensuring they are comfortable with the process from application to closing is paramount to his success.
Job Titles:
- VP, Mortgage Banker, NMLS 161995
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Regional VP Community Development Manager, NMLS 1107359
- Regional VP, Community Development Manager
Brandon Sherman is Regional VP, Community Development Manager of Ameris Bank, based in Fayetteville, GA. In his role, Brandon leads a team of Minority Mortgage Lenders to advocate for and provide opportunity for everyone to achieve the dream of homeownership. Brandon operates on social media under the name "The Home Loan Guru," and has been in the Financial Services industry for 27-years. His expertise in Leadership, Branch Management, Mortgage Lending and Community Leadership, enables him to thrive as a trusted thought leader and industry expert in the markets that he serves.
Brandon is a native of New Orleans, LA. In 2005, Brandon relocated to Atlanta after losing everything to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Today, Brandon serves as Board Chair - United Way of Greater Atlanta (Fayette County), and the College Board of Trustees for Young Harris College, where he serves on the Student Affairs Committee, and the Enrollment Management Committee. Brandon is very involved in community volunteerism through Hosea Feeds the Homeless and Hungry and Autism Speaks.
Brandon is the Former Board Treasurer (2021) of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Former Board Member of the Fayetteville Downtown Development Authority & Mainstreet Boards. Brandon is also a former board member of AVPRIDE.
Brandon is a graduate of Point University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministries with a Minor in Human Relations. Brandon defines his personal mission as something that he partakes in daily. His personal mission is: Helping people, restoring lives and shaping the future.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- Wealth Advisor With Ameris Bank Wealth Management
Don Acosta is a Wealth Advisor with Ameris Bank Wealth Management. He offers clients more than 14 years of comprehensive wealth management experience, focusing on wealth strategies through financial planning, investment management, credit and estate planning. He is a native of Miami, Florida and is a graduate of Florida State University. Don has lived in Orlando since 2012. Don enjoys weightlifting, cruising, outdoor sports and theme park family outings with his wife Amy and son A.J. Don is a member of the Florida Citrus Sports Commission and Florida State University Varsity Club. He is fluent in Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Investment Portfolio Manager
- Vice President and Investment Portfolio Manager With over 20 Years of Wealth
Chad Johnson is a Vice President and Investment Portfolio Manager with over 20 years of Wealth and Investment management experience. He has held positions in Portfolio Management, Securities Trading, Investment Platform Consulting, and Investment Sales. Chad earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and his Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University. He is a candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst program. He is a member of the GSU Panthers on Wall Street Alumni Association and is an active member of the Midtown chapter of Toastmasters International. Chad is a native of Atlanta and resides in Fayetteville, GA where he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Trust Advisor
- Vice President and Trust Advisor
Dalia Matthias is a Vice President and Trust Advisor in the Trust Services Department. Dalia has over 10 years of experience in Trust and Wealth Management. She received her Bachelors of Science from Iowa State University and her Masters of Business Administration from Clayton State University where she also completed a concentration in Supply Chain Management. She is also a recent graduate of American Bankers Association Trust School. She is active in local community groups, a member of American Bankers Association, and volunteers her time at Everybody Wins! Atlanta, and Nicholas House. She resides in Jonesboro, GA and enjoys spending time with her family and her dog at the park.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- Consumer Finance / Standard Discount Corporation
- Director of Ameris Bancorp
Daniel B. Jeter has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp since 1997 and as a director of Ameris Bank since 2002. He was chairman of the board and of the board of directors of the Bank from May 2007 to December 2017. From January 2018 until September 2018, Mr. Jeter served as lead director of Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank. He also serves on the community bank board for the Company's Moultrie, Georgia market. Mr. Jeter is the chairman and co-owner of Standard Discount Corporation, a family-owned consumer finance company. He joined Standard in 1979 and is an officer and director of each of Standard's affiliates, including Colquitt Loan Company, Globe Loan Company of Hazelhurst, Globe Loan Company of Tifton, Globe Loan Company of Moultrie, Peach Finance Company, Personal Finance Service of Statesboro and Globe Financial Services of Thomasville. He is co-owner of Classic Insurance Company and President of Cavalier Insurance Company, both of which are re-insurance companies. Mr. Jeter is also a partner in a real estate partnership that develops owner-occupied commercial properties for office and professional use. He serves as a director and an officer of the Georgia Industrial Loan Corporation and as a director of Allied Business Systems. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia.
Job Titles:
- Head of Wealth Management
As Head of Wealth Management for Ameris, Dave provides oversight, strategic direction and leadership responsibility for Wealth Management. Dave has 33 years of experience, and is actively engaged to ensure we help our clients achieve greater confidence in achieving their goals. Dave earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Columbus State University. He is a member of Woodstock City Church and resides in Woodstock, GA with his wife and 3 children.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer for the Jacksonville Port Authority
- Director of Ameris Bancorp
- Founder and Mediator / McCague & Company
Elizabeth A. McCague has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp and Ameris Bank since August 2016. Ms. McCague currently serves as chief financial officer for the Jacksonville Port Authority. She previously served as interim executive director and plan administrator for the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund, where she was responsible for the management of the $1.6 billion pension portfolio and the administration of benefits. Additionally, Ms. McCague provides mediation services for resolution of financial disputes through her business, McCague & Company, LLC. Ms. McCague currently serves on the UF Health Hospital Jacksonville board as the chair of the finance committee and will continue to serve in this capacity through 2019. She has previously served as co-chair of the University of Florida Capital Campaign, a six-year, $1.5 billion effort, and chair of the North Florida Bank's Advisory Board. She was also formerly the chief operating officer of a software development company. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Florida and a master of business administration degree from Jacksonville University. The Florida State Supreme Court certified Ms. McCague as a county and civil court mediator. She resides in the Jacksonville, Florida.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Mrs. O'Neal was elected to the Board on July 1, 2019. She is a community activist and former Fidelity Bank Risk Control Executive until 2014. Prior to retirement, she held positions at First Atlanta and at Fidelity Bank, where she was Internal Auditor, Operations Manager, and Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer. She was a board member of Rotary and served as the Club's Secretary and Treasurer, and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for DeKalb County. She is a Dahlonega resident and serves on the Board of Dahlonega Baptist Church, is Treasurer of the Weekday Preschool in Dahlonega, GA, and is a member of Women's Missionary Union (WMU) that serves not only the local community but internationally.
Palmer Proctor is CEO of Ameris Bank and CEO of Ameris Bancorp and serves on the Board of Directors of both. Palmer holds degrees from Auburn University and The Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Georgetown University. He is a director of Brown & Brown, Inc., a member of the Advisory Board of Allied Financial, director of Choate Construction Company and served as past chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association. Palmer is involved in many civic activities, serving as emeritus director and past president of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, former trustee of Fernbank Museum of Natural History, past cabinet member for the Westside Future Fund Campaign and administrative chairman of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta and the Buckhead Lions Club. Palmer and his wife founded the Night of Hope Gala, supporting research for MDA/ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and serves on its executive committee. In August 2021, Palmer Proctor was recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the Most Admired CEOs.
Palmer has served as CEO of Ameris Bank and Ameris Bancorp since July 2019. Prior to his current role, Palmer held the positions of President and CEO of Fidelity Bank and President of Fidelity Southern Corporation, and served on the Boards of Directors of both. Palmer held numerous management positions at Fidelity Bank, including Senior Vice President of retail and consumer banking, trust and investments, bank operations, and commercial banking activities.
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategy Officer
- Corporate Executive Vice President
James A. LaHaise has served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer since June 2018. Prior to this role, he served as executive vice president and chief banking officer for Georgia and Alabama since January 2016. He was executive vice president and commercial banking executive from June 2014-January 2016. Mr. LaHaise served as president and chief executive officer of Coastal Bankshares, Inc. and The Coastal Bank from January 2013-June 2014. He was executive vice president and chief banking officer of The Coastal Bank from May 2007 - January 2013.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Ameris Bancorp Chairman
James B. Miller Jr. has served as Chairman of Ameris Bank since July 2019. Prior to Ameris Bank, Mr. Miller served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Southern Corporation since its inception in 1979. He graduated from Florida State University and Vanderbilt Law School. Mr. Miller served as a civilian army lawyer at Redstone Arsenal Facility in Huntsville, Alabama. He clerked at the Florida Supreme Court and ran Ageka Wohnungsbau GmbH in Berlin, Germany before acquiring Fidelity in 1976. He was elected a director of the Bank in 1976. Mr. Miller has served on many community boards and now serves as a Director of Interface, Inc. and American Software, Inc. He is a member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Mr. Miller has three children and six grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director in Wealth Management
Jason Riley is Managing Director in Wealth Management, leading our Wealth Advisor team. Jason is responsible for the leadership, development and performance of the Wealth Advisors. Jason has 20 years of experience in wealth management including leadership roles, affluent and high net worth client relationship management, financial planning, business development, advisor recruiting and development, client acquisition and retention, and compliance and controls. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington where he received his degree in Business Administration.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- DIRECTOR
- Director of Ameris Bancorp
Jimmy D. Veal has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp and as a director of Ameris Bank since May 2008. Mr. Veal was a founding director of Golden Isles Financial Holdings, Inc., which was the corporate parent of The First Bank of Brunswick prior to its acquisition by the Company and subsequent merger into the Bank. He served as a director of both Golden Isles Financial Holdings, Inc. and The First Bank of Brunswick from their inception in 1989 until their acquisition by the Company in 2001 and as vice chairman of both companies from 1996 until 2001. Mr. Veal currently serves as chairman of the Bank's community board for the Southeast Georgia Coast. Mr. Veal has been active in the hospitality industry for over 40 years. As a founding partner, together with his family, he co-owns and operated Beachview Tent Rentals, Inc. in Brunswick, Georgia until his retirement in 2018. He continues to serve as a consultant. He is also active in various real estate and timberland ventures in Glynn County, Georgia and Camden County, Georgia.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer / Ameris Bancorp and
Jody has served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Ameris Bank since July 2019. Prior to joining Ameris, Jody was an attorney with Rogers & Hardin LLP in Atlanta where he was a partner for more than 11 years and worked closely with Ameris. Jody earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law, and holds a master's in accounting from the University of Virginia and a bachelor's in accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Job Titles:
- Chief Credit Officer
- Corporate Executive Vice President
- Director
Jon S. Edwards has served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Director of Credit Administration since May 2005. He was Executive Vice President and Regional Bank Executive for Southern Division from August 2002 through April 2005. Mr. Edwards served as the Director of Credit Administration from March 1999 to July 2003 and Senior Vice President from March 1999 to August 2002. He was a Director of each subsidiary bank in the Southern Division from September 2002 through April 2005.
Job Titles:
- President / Ameris Bancorp Banking Group President
Lawton E. Bassett, III, has served as Ameris Bank president and Ameris Bancorp Banking Group president, since February 2017. Prior to his current position, Bassett served as executive vice president and chief banking officer for the Company's Georgia and Alabama regions beginning January 2016, and regional president and market president from 2006 to 2016. From 2003 to 2006, he served as president and chief executive officer of Citizens Security Bank, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Bassett served in various commercial lending and leadership roles at Barnett Bank and SunTrust.
Job Titles:
- Lead Independent Director
- Director of Ameris Bancorp
Leo J. Hill has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp and as a director of Ameris Bank since January 2013. Mr. Hill is the owner of Advisor Network Solutions, LLC, a consulting services firm, and currently serves as lead independent director of Transamerica Mutual Funds. He became a Transamerica director in 2001, currently serves on the audit committee, and previously chaired the governance, nominating and valuation committees. Prior to his service with Transamerica, Mr. Hill held various positions in banking, including senior vice president and senior loan administration officer for Wachovia Bank of Georgia's southeastern corporate lending unit, president and chief executive officer of Barnett Treasure Coast Florida with Barnett Banks and market president of Sun Coast Florida with Bank of America. He has a bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in finance, both from Georgia State University, and he is a graduate of Louisiana State University's Graduate School of Banking. Mr. Hill is involved with the Investment Company Institute, the Conference of Fund Leaders, the National Association of Corporate Directors and the Institute for Independent Business.
Lily Ngo is a Trust Advisor with over 5 years of experience in fiduciary services. She attended Pepperdine University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. Lily is also a graduate of Stetson University College of Law where she earned an Elder Law Certificate of Concentration and was awarded the William F. Blews Pro Bono Service award. She is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor and she is licensed to practice law in Florida and Pennsylvania. Lily's specialties include special needs trusts, elder law, and estate planning.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Job Titles:
- Chief Governance Officer
- Corporate Executive Vice President
- Corporate Secretary
Michael Pierson has served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Governance Officer of Ameris Bank and Ameris Bancorp since March 2020, and as Corporate Secretary since January 2022. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Ameris Bank and Ameris Bancorp July 2019 to March 2020. Prior to joining Ameris, Michael was with Fidelity Southern Corporation and Fidelity Bank for 21 years where he served in several leadership roles including Head of Commercial Banking, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Chief Risk Officer.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Wealth Advisor
- Wealth Advisor With Ameris Bank Wealth Management
Michelle is a Wealth Advisor with Ameris Bank Wealth Management. She has more than eight years of experience in wealth management, focusing on financial planning, investment management and estate planning. Prior to working at Ameris, Michelle was part of the Private Wealth team at Synovus Bank. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Intercultural Communication. She has served on several committees for the Children's Development Academy in Roswell, Ga. Michelle is married with four children.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Chairman of Choate Construction Company
- Founder and President of Choate Construction Company
Wm. Millard Choate was elected to the Board on July 1, 2019. Mr. Choate is Founder and Chairman of Choate Construction Company, which he founded in 1989. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, with BA degrees in Economics and Business. Mr. Choate is active in many organizations such as Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, Bright Futures Academy, Shepherd Center, Street Grace and Homestretch. He is a member of the Atlanta Rotary, various chambers of commerce, and several business organizations. Mr. Choate and his wife Sue live in Atlanta. They have two daughters.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Corporate Executive Vice President
Nicole S. Stokes has served as Ameris Bank and Ameris Bancorp Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2018. Stokes joined Ameris Bank in December 2010 as controller, and served as Ameris Bank chief financial officer beginning June 2016. Prior to joining Ameris Bank, Stokes served as chief financial officer of PAB Bankshares and Park Avenue Bank in Valdosta, Georgia, controller of The Bank in Birmingham, Alabama and senior auditor of Synovus Financial Corporation in Columbus, Georgia.
Patrick Macabasco is a Wealth Advisor based in our Town Center Branch located in Jacksonville, FL. He has worked with high net worth families and individuals for over 17 years, assisting with investment management, complex credit, liability exposure, as well as legacy/transition planning needs. A 2001 graduate of the University of North Florida, Patrick is involved in the community. He is on the board of the Catholic Charities Bureau-Jacksonville and a North Florida United Way Stein Fellow, class of 2019.
Phillip Knight is a Wealth Advisor based in the Merchants Walk Branch in Marietta, also serving our Marietta Square, Canton Road, South Cobb Drive, Bells Ferry and Hiram branches. Phil is a Certified Financial Planner TM with over 16 years financial experience as a financial advisor and consultant. He graduated from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business with a B.B.A. in International Business with a concentration in Finance. Phil is a Decatur native and is a member of Mt. Bethel Church in Marietta. He has participated in and finished multiple Ironmans, marathons and ultramarathons and while attending UGA, he was on the U.S. National All-Star Lacrosse Team.
Job Titles:
- Director of Ameris Bancorp
- Printing Services
R. Dale Ezzell has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp and as a director of Ameris Bank since May 2010. He served as a director of Southland Bank, formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, from 1983 until the merger of Southland Bank into Ameris Bank in 2006. He also served as Southland Bank's Chairman from 1995 until such merger. Mr. Ezzell currently serves as chairman of the Bank's community board in Dothan, Alabama. He is the founder and owner of Wisecards Printing and Mailing, a direct mail advertising business in Abbeville, Alabama. Prior to establishing Wisecards in 2001, he served as president and chief executive officer of Ezzell's Inc., which operated several department stores in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia, from 1987 to 2000. Mr. Ezzell holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from Auburn University and resides in Abbeville, Alabama.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- Automobile Sales / Lynch Management Company
- Director of Ameris Bancorp
Robert P. Lynch has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp since 2000 and as a director of the Bank since February 2006. Mr. Lynch is the vice president and chief financial officer of Lynch Management Company, which owns and manages seven automobile dealerships located in the Southeast. He has been with Lynch Management Company for more than 30 years. Mr. Lynch's family also owns and operates Shady Dale Farm, a beef cattle operation located in Shady Dale, Georgia. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Florida. Mr. Lynch resides in Jacksonville, Florida and currently serves as a member of the community board of the Bank for that market.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Community Affairs at Chick - Fil - a, Inc
Mr. Bullard was elected to the Board on July 1, 2019. He leads Chick-fil-A's Corporate Social Responsibility. Prior to his role at Chick-fil-A, Rodney served as an Assistant United States Attorney. Previously, Rodney was selected as a White House Fellow. As a White House Fellow, Rodney was placed at NASA working directly for the NASA Administrator. A decorated veteran, Rodney also served in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps working as a trial attorney and eventually at the Pentagon as a Congressional Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
Job Titles:
- Chief Innovation Officer
- Corporate Executive Vice President
Ross Creasy has served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Ameris Bank since July 2019. Prior to joining Ameris Bank, Ross was the Chief Information Officer at Fidelity Bank where he had oversight of Technology and Operations. With over 24 years of experience in banking and technology, Ross has held many leadership positions, including at E*TRADE, Capital One, and the Federal Reserve. He has a MBA from Averett University and resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife and two daughters.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Private Banking
Shellee Spagnoletto is Managing Director of Private Banking and has over 30 years of experience with leadership roles and working with affluent clients in Wealth Management. As a Certified Financial Planner™, Shellee is able to identify solutions for Wealth Management clients that include lending, banking, investment, trust and charitable planning to help clients reach their financial goals. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Business Management degree. Shellee is a Balser Symposium Chair Person, a member of the BPAC Giving Circle (through the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta), a 2016 alumni of PALI (Philanthropic Advisors Leadership Institute through the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta), Past VP/Board Member of ProWIN (Professional Women's Information Network), Past President and Past Treasurer of the Circle for Children (non-profit), a member of Ellevate, and has been a volunteer for The Cobb Community Foundation for several years. Shellee and her husband live on Lake Lanier in Cumming.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Job Titles:
- Head of Trust
- Leader of Ameris Bank Trust
As leader of Ameris Bank Trust, Bill Keith heads the Trust team to offer the high level of personal service our clients need. He combines his unique blend of business savvy and financial acumen to take clients' existing assets and put them to work, helping them to leave a lasting legacy. He has over 40 years of experience in the wealth management field as a senior leader. His solid background in trust operations, wealth management, asset allocation and technology gives him the expertise to assemble a plan that fits clients' special needs. Bill is married and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- DIRECTOR
- Director of Ameris Bancorp
- President & CEO - Real Estate
William H. Stern has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp and as a director of Ameris Bank since November 2013. Mr. Stern currently serves as chairman of the Bank's community board for the state of South Carolina. Mr. Stern has been president and chief executive officer of Stern & Stern and Associates, a real estate development firm doing work throughout the Southeast, since 1980. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the South Carolina State Ports Authority and as a member of the board of the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development.
Job Titles:
- Chief Risk Officer
- Corporate Executive Vice President
William (Bill) McKendry has served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer since September 2017. Prior to joining Ameris Bank, Mr. McKendry served as executive vice president and chief risk officer for Bank of North Carolina. Prior to that, he served as deputy general auditor at First Citizens Bancshares and as an audit & consulting leader for both Wachovia and Bank One Corporation.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer / Ameris Bancorp and
William (Bill) McKendry has served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer since September 2017. Prior to joining Ameris Bank, Mr. McKendry served as executive vice president and chief risk officer for Bank of North Carolina. Prior to that, he served as deputy general auditor at First Citizens Bancshares and as an audit & consulting leader for both Wachovia and Bank One Corporation.
William I. Bowen, Jr. has served as a director of Ameris Bancorp and as a director of Ameris Bank since November 2014. Mr. Bowen resides in our Tifton, Georgia market, and he currently serves as chairman of the community board of the Bank for that market. He has served as a member of the community board since 2012. Mr. Bowen is a partner and the president of Bowen Donaldson Home for Funerals. He also serves as managing partner of Bowen Farming Enterprises, LLC, a timber, cattle, cotton and peanut farming operation, Bowen Land and Timber, LLC, Bowen Family Partnership and Fulwood Family Partnership, a farming and real estate development firm. He also serves as Trustee of Tift County Hospital Authority and is a member of the Georgia Board of Funeral Service. Mr. Bowen holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia.