EVOLVE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Known as a dedicated and hard-working attorney at Bass, Berry & Sims, Mr. Bright provides practical solutions and efficient representation to companies across the spectrum. Balancing his focus on transactional corporate matters, Mr. Bright also has experience in managing commercial litigation for a variety of clients. Mr. Bright has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for his experience in Commercial Transactions/UCC Law. Previously he was recognized as a Rising Star for business and corporate law by Mid-South Super Lawyers. Mr. Bright earned his B.B.A from the University of Memphis and his law degree from the University of Tennessee.
Job Titles:
- President / Trust Division
- President of Evolve 's Trust Division
Mr. Cook is the President of Evolve's Trust Division. He originally joined Evolve in 2005 as the Senior Vice of Litigation Trust Services and since has served as the Senior Vice President of Sales with Evolve Securities. Prior to joining Evolve, Mr. Cook was the Divisional Executive Vice President with AXA Advisors, Assistant Vice President with the Woodmansee Wealth Management Group of Wachovia Securities, and District Manager and Registered Principal with Equitable. Mr. Cook attended the University of Memphis before he left to pursue a career with the New York Yankees organization from 1988-1996.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chief Executive Officer, Evolve Bancorp, Inc
Before founding Evolve Bank & Trust in 2004, Mr. Lenoir climbed his way to becoming Chief Executive Officer and President for First Mercantile Trust Company (FMTC), a financial institution that exceeded $3 billion in assets. He later orchestrated the sell of FMTC to a publicly traded company. After selling in 2000, Mr. Lenoir began to build the foundations and raise the initial capital for Evolve Bancorp, Inc., which became the Memphis-based holding company for Evolve Bank & Trust. Mr. Lenoir is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Evolve Bancorp, Inc. While also serving as chairman of Evolve Bank & Trust, Mr. Lenoir has overseen an increase in net income of 279% over the last five years (2014-2019) while also being voted Top Workplace by The Commercial Appeal. Mr. Lenoir is a graduate of the University of Memphis.
Cecilia Russell - Chief Compliance Officer, SVP
Job Titles:
- Chief Compliance Officer
- Senior Vice President
Ms. Russell has over 25 years of experience leading compliance, quality control and risk management at a variety of financial institutions. Prior to joining Evolve, Ms. Russell served as Vice President Internal Audit Manager for The Bancorp, Inc, Wilmington, DE. During her career, Ms. Russell also oversaw compliance at WSFS Bank, Stonebridge Bank and Peoples Bank. Ms. Russell has a Master of Science in Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Accounting from Widener University.
Ms. Bergin has more than 30 years of experience in SBA Lending. Prior to joining Evolve, she was Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer for immito, LLC. Ms. Bergin has also served in numerous senior management roles including Senior Vice President, SBA Production Director for Umpqua Bank; Vice President, SBA Market Manager, Rabobank; Executive Vice President, Coast National Bank; and Vice President, SBA Lending Mission Community Bank. Ms. Bergin has served on the board of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders ("NAGGL") for more than 20 years and is the recipient of their Legislative Advocate of the Year award. She attended the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.
Mrs. Gates brings extensive knowledge in the areas of: finance, banking, cash management, strategic business planning, key negotiations, client consulting, resource coordination and critical problem solving to the Evolve team. Her 25+ year track record includes leadership and management accomplishments within the financial services industry in the county government, corporate, and non-profit sectors. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Tennessee and Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. Debra is a CPA and has completed the National Tax Lien University training in preparation for obtaining the tax lien industry's Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Clanton has more than 40 years of experience in the securities industry and formerly served as President of Evolve Bank & Trust's SBA Lending Division. In 2017, he retired as the Chief Operating Officer for Duncan-Williams, prior to which he was the firm's Executive Vice President of Debt Capital Markets. Before joining Duncan-Williams, Mr. Clanton was President of Commerce Investment Corporation, a subsidiary of National Bank of Commerce. Previous management positions include head of Union Planters Investment Bankers Group, which under Mr. Clanton's leadership, grew into one of the Southeast's leading brokerage and investment banks. Mr. Clanton has served as President of the Memphis Investment Bankers Association, was a member of FINRA's Business Conduct Board, and is currently active in the Bond Dealers of America. He is a proud graduate of Mississippi State University.
Ms. Colley joined Evolve in 2019 and serves as Vice President, Bank Operations Manager. She has the overall responsibility of leading and supervising the daily operations of the Deposit Operations, Loan Servicing, Payment Operations, Wire Desk and Branch Support teams. Prior to joining Evolve, Ms. Colley served at both a community bank and a regional financial services provider in various roles including deposit product development, training, operational support, compliance, strategy and customer support across multiple retail banking channels for both business and personal customers.
Job Titles:
- President
- in 2014 As Senior Vice President of Technology and System Strategies
Mr. Word joined Evolve in 2014 as Senior Vice President of Technology and System Strategies. Four years ago he was named Evolve's first SVP, Chief Technology Officer, and soon after, led the Bank Operations team. Mr. Word is one of the original stakeholders in the development of the Open Banking division and its evolving team. Before joining Evolve, he served as SVP of Information Technology at Paragon National Bank. Mr. Word attended the University of Memphis.
Job Titles:
- President / Physicians Capital
Since becoming President of the Evolve Physicians Capital division in 2015, Mr. Stone has positioned Evolve to be one of the top nationwide leaders in financing for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market. As the number of surgeries performed on an outpatient basis continues to grow, coupled with the savings the ASCs provide insurance companies and Medicare, Mr. Stone has emerged as a trusted resource for physicians and ASC management companies alike. Mr. Stone holds an undergraduate degree in economics, as well as an MBA from Auburn University.
Job Titles:
- Trust Services, at 901.260.9984, and She Will Be Happy to Assist You
Job Titles:
- President / Banking Division
Mr. Freeman has vast experience in the banking industry and is the former President of Liberty Bank in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He is the former Chairman on the Arkansas Bankers Association Board of Directors. Mr. Freeman is a graduate of Southwest Graduate School of Banking from Southern Methodist University and completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Harding University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Pitts began his career in commercial real estate as a sales executive for Ladd's Commercial Real Estate Investors and First Union Properties. He served as Executive Vice President of National Bank of Commerce Capital Markets group, where he specialized in institutional fixed income sales. In 2005, Mr. Pitts along with the Pitts family co-founded and continue to fund Youth Dimensions, Inc., an accredited school and 48-bed residential facility for adolescent boys in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis.
Mr. Lemoine has more than 30 years of experience and expertise in mortgage banking, capital markets, marketing, and consumer lending. Prior to joining Evolve, Mr. Lemoine served as Senior Vice President at Axia Home Loans in Bellevue, WA. He graduated from the CBA Graduate School of Retail Bank Management and Bentley University, Waltham, MA with a degree in Finance.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director of Raymond James Financial Products Group
Mr. Holland currently serves as a director of Raymond James Financial Products Group, a leading provider of interest rate swaps and related derivatives, and of USI Alliance, which assists the senior community through commercial banks. Mr. Holland's professional experience includes serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Henry Turley Company, President of the financial enterprise businesses for National Commerce Financial Corporation, and serving as a board member of Buckeye Technologies. Mr. Holland has been active in numerous professional and civic organizations around Memphis. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, banking and finance from Mississippi State University, and is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania for National Commerce Financial Corporation, and serving as a board member of Buckeye Technologies. Mr. Holland has been active in numerous professional and civic organizations around Memphis. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, banking and finance from Mississippi State University, and is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Principal of Reliant Investment Management
As current principal of Reliant Investment Management, LLC, Mr. Magness' responsibilities include portfolio management, investment strategy, regulatory compliance and client service. Prior to joining Reliant, Mr. Magness served as President of a bank-affiliated registered investment advisory firm and regulated the portfolio and funds management division of a $20 billion regional banking and financial services company. He is a graduate of Tulane University and has a graduate degree in bank management from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Credit Officer
- Executive Vice President
Mr. Donovan has nearly 25 years of experience in the retail banking sector as well as business and private banking. After completing his MBA at Wake Forest University, he accepted a position as Vice President of Credit Administration for Main Street Bank, Covington, GA. Mr. Donovan has held several senior credit positions, including as the Chief Credit Officer with First Landmark Bank, a Division of National Bank of Commerce. While there, he supervised credit administration for the Atlanta region, which encompassed the loan approval and credit quality of a $980MM loan portfolio.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive Vice President
Mr. Mosteller has vast knowledge and experience in directing and managing finance, accounting, tax, treasury and risk management. Over the course of his career, Mr. Mosteller served as the CFO of GTx., Inc., the COO of Union Planters Mortgage, and Audit Senior Manager for Ernst & Young, LLP.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President / Director of Mortgage Operations
Mr. Knueven is a mortgage industry professional with more than 25 years of experience in improving the speed and reliability of service while enhancing customer engagement levels in retail, direct to consumer, and wholesale channels. Most recently, Matt served as Vice President, Mortgage Fulfillment Manager for Regions Bank, Nashville. He has held similar roles at Fifth Third Bank and RBS Citizens. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Wilmington College.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Ms. Wharton has an extensive track record of achievement and leadership excellence serving as a senior health care executive since 2008. She is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, Memphis, TN.
Ms. Wharton earned her Juris Doctor from the William and Mary School of Law and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hampton University. She is active in community and professional organizations, serving as board chair for the American Heart Association. Ms.Wharton also serves on the boards of Youth Villages, the Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis, and the University of Memphis Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
- Senior Vice President
Ms. Martin joined Evolve in 2017 after spending 20 years with Allied Universal formally known as Guardsmark, LLC. In her role there, she was the Vice President of Human Resources responsible for a company with over 19,000 employees nationwide. As a graduate of Christian Brothers University with a MBA from the University of Memphis, Ms. Martin brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience - including certifications as a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources.
Job Titles:
- President / Arkansas Banking Division
Prior to joining Evolve, Mr. Reynolds was the Vice President and manager of the Asset-Based Lending department of Union Planters Bank and the Vice President of Commercial Lending for 15 years at Liberty Bank. Mr. Reynolds graduated from Arkansas State with a degree in Journalism with emphasis in Public Relations and minors in Finance and Marketing. He is also a graduate of the Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma and the Lending School for the Arkansas Bankers Association. Mr. Reynolds has served as President of the Board for City Youth Ministries in Jonesboro, AR.
Robert Ducklo - Chief Legal Officer, Secretary
Job Titles:
- Corporate Secretary
- General Counsel
Prior to joining Evolve in 2022, Mr. Ducklo spent 15 years as Senior Vice President and Counsel for FHN Financial, the capital markets division of First Horizon Bank. He represented community banks nationwide as partner at Gerrish & McCreary Law Firm. Mr. Ducklo is a licensed attorney in Tennessee. He received a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in European History from Washington and Lee University.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Controller
- Senior Vice President
Ms. Bedsole oversees the Finance and Accounting functions for all of Evolve's Divisions and Shared Services. She joined Evolve in 2016 as Vice President, Bank Controller. Ms. Bedsole has 30 years of accounting and banking experience. She came to Evolve from Commander Navy Installations Command, Millington, TN where she served as Controller, Head of Accounting. Ms. Bedsole has held similar positions at Bank of Bartlett, First Tennessee Bank and Hilton Hotel Corporation. Ms. Bedsole is a CPA and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Christian Brothers University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director of Evolve Bancorp, Inc
Mr. Valentine serves as director of Evolve Bancorp, Inc, formed in 2004 as the Memphis-based holding company for Evolve Bank & Trust. He also provides board-level and executive consulting services to public and private companies primarily in the distribution, consumer and technology industries. Previously, Mr. Valentine was an executive with IBM and a business consultant to Fortune 100 companies.
He served as Senior Vice President, business development, at AutoZone, spearheading the firm's international expansion efforts, and as its chief information officer. He has been a consultant to the Department of the Navy.
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
- Senior Vice President
Mr. Holmes has more than 20 years of marketing experience. Before making the transition into the financial industry in 2017, he led marketing efforts for top tier television stations in Memphis, Boston, and New York. Mr. Holmes has been nominated for several creative awards including two Emmys®. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University. Mr. Holmes currently serves on the Memphis Orpheum Theatre Group's Board of Directors and on the Youth Villages West Tennessee Advisory Board.
Mr. Staab has more than 20 years of experience in financial services. Prior to joining Evolve, he served as the Chief Information Officer for Santander Bank. Mr. Staab has held several other senior leadership roles including Executive Vice President, Enterprise Payments and Treasury Management at Capital One Financial Corporation, Executive Director, Global Banking Operations at Morgan Stanley and Vice President, Lending and Account Services at E*Trade Financial. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
Under Mr. Stafford's leadership, Evolve has been listed on Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies, been named a Top Workplace USA, and in 2015, Mr. Stafford was named CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business Magazine. His philanthropic endeavors include serving as Board Chairman of Neighborhood Christian Center, Board Member at Presbyterian Day School, officer at Second Presbyterian Church, and he is a Board Member and Treasurer of the Young Presidents' Organization. Mr. Stafford received a Fintech Revolution: Transformative Financial Services and Strategies certification from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Degree at the University of Alabama.