Banking Archives - Tampa Bay Economic Development Council

BMO Harris

BMO is a leading bank driven by a single purpose: to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Everywhere we do business, we’re focused on building, investing, and transforming how we work to drive performance and continue growing the good. BMO’s expansion into Tampa was driven by the diversity of industries in the region and the surge of companies relocating here. The commercial banking team is focused on a variety of industries, including manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, engineering and construction, food and business services – providing customers with access to BMO’s full array of financial services and industry expertise. commercial.bmo.com. BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC.

John Astrab

West Florida Managing Director of Corporate and Middle Market Banking

Hancock Whitney

Since the late 1800s, Hancock Whitney has embodied core values of Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. Hancock Whitney offices and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas offer comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; certain insurance services; and mortgage services.

Joe Fontana, Jr.

For almost the last 15 years Joe Fontana has worked in the financial industry, with the last decade being in banking. Currently, he works with middle market and corporate clients to maximize both short and long term capital needs; including obtaining senior debt financing (working capital, acquisitions, real estate and capital restructuring), risk & cash management, international banking, and guiding strategic dialogue around ownership and liquidity events. Additionally, Joe co-authored a proprietary financial insight report/consultative selling tool which has been rolled out to 200+ bankers across 7 states. His range of commercial banking experience includes traditional C&I lending, underwriting C&I and CRE loans, portfolio management, and special asset management.

Joe is an active participant in a number of professional and civic organizations within the Tampa Bay area. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Economic Club of Tampa, Leadership Advisory Committee and Finance Committee with South Tampa Fellowship, and is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth. He previously was a member of Leadership St. Pete Class of 2016, served as Director and Treasurer for MyChoice Counts, a local non- profit, and on the Finance Committee with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County.

Joe has earned distinctions at all levels; locally, as the 2010 recipient of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club’s Recognition Award; regionally, as an honoree of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “2012 Up & Comers” award; and nationally, as a National Achiever in Business Banking in 2013 and 2014, awarded by JP Morgan Chase.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for Management from the University of Central Florida, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Theta Honors Society.

Joe and his wife, Christina, were both born in Tampa Bay where they currently live with their three young children. Beyond his family and work, Joe is an avid golfer and a third-degree black belt.

Joe Fontana, Jr.

Vice President - Middle Market Banking

BNY Mellon Wealth

BNY Mellon has been managing wealth since America began creating it, providing an unparalleled level of service to private clients, family offices, institutions and endowments alike. We’d like to do the same for you.

BNY Mellon Wealth Management clients represent some of the most successful individuals, families and institutions around the world. They often come to us for our results and reputation. But it’s our ability to deliver our capabilities consistently and individually that has brought us the success that matters most—a circle of loyal and highly satisfied clients whose strong relationships stretch across market cycles and generations.

Whether you’re happy with your current wealth manager, or considering a search for a new one, get to know why BNY Mellon Wealth Management has a 96% client satisfaction rate.

TBD

More information coming soon.

TBD

President – Florida West Coast

SouthState Bank

SouthState operates as one of the largest community bank franchises headquartered in the state of Florida. Both the Company and its nationally chartered bank subsidiary are based in Winter Haven, Florida, between Orlando and Tampa. With over $10 billion in assets, the Bank provides traditional retail, commercial, mortgage, wealth management and SBA services throughout its Florida branch network and customer relationships in neighboring states. The Bank also has a national footprint, serving clients coast to coast through its correspondent banking division.

Angel Gonzalez

Angel Gonzalez is the Hillsborough Regional President for SouthState, the largest Community Bank in Florida. He has been with SouthState since 2007 where he began his career as a Management Trainee. He graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Southeastern University. As he rose through the ranks, Angel exceeded expectations in production and leadership. He was responsible for the successful launch of the banks current underwriting and approval software. As a Commercial Loan Officer, he was consistently a top performer finishing in the top 3 year after year. During his short time as the Marion County Market President, he successfully restructured the leadership team, met the market’s production goals for the first time in 5 years, and doubled its ROA in a single year.

SouthState Bank found its first opportunity to enter the Tampa Bay Market in 2017, creating an opportunity for Angel to join a larger market. He is responsible for managing the staff and the growth of the loan and deposit portfolios. The Hillsborough Market was created by acquiring four banks in 2 years. Angel is a true community partner, taking every opportunity to be involved in the continued progress of the communities he serves. He has served on multiple boards for non-profits and government services agencies. He has also been honored with the designation of “40 under 40” by both the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Business Observer.

Angel has been married to Rosalie Gonzalez for 14 years and they have 2 children. As a family, they are involved in multiple civic organizations, including Keeping Tampa Bay Beautiful, Voices for Children, the YMCA, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and the Guardian Ad Litem Agency. He enjoys golfing and traveling with his friends and family.

Angel Gonzalez

Tampa Bay Market President

Synovus

Synovus’ humble beginnings date back to a Georgia textile mill and a simple act of kindness. One day, a worker’s hard-earned savings spilled from the hem of her dress after it became entangled in factory machinery. Taking notice, an executive offered to secure her money in the company vault and pay her interest – a service soon extended to all workers at the mill. Their deposits marked the beginning of the company that would become Synovus.

Synovus is one of the strongest regional banks in the Southeast with over $30 billion in assets. Synovus provides commercial and retail banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services including asset-based lending, treasury management, private banking, mortgage services and international banking. These specialized offerings, combined with traditional banking products and services, make Synovus a great choice for all retail and commercial customers.

Synovus Bank was recognized as America’s Most Reputable Bank by American Banker and the Reputation Institute in 2017, and was named “Best Regional Bank, Southeast” by MONEY Magazine for 2016-17.

John Acosta

Market Executive

Valley Bank

As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp, Valley Bank is a regional bank with approximately $31 billion in assets. Valley is committed to giving people and businesses the power to succeed. Valley operates more than 220 branches across New Jersey, New York, Florida and Alabama, and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable team dedicated to meeting customer needs. Helping communities grow and prosper is the heart of Valley’s corporate citizenship philosophy. To learn more about Valley, please visit www.valley.com.

David Ogburn

David Ogburn is a SVP and Market Executive for Valley National Bank in Hillsborough County. He is responsible for all Middle Market and Business Banking lending in Tampa. David is a 34 year commercial banking veteran all within the Tampa Bay market. He began his career as a Management Trainee and spent 15 years in commercial lending at First Union/Wachovia Bank. He joined Colonial Bank as Tampa’s Commercial Banking Manager in 2002 and subsequently became the Professional and Executive Banking manager for USAmeriBank in 2010. He has been with Valley Bank for 13 years via Valley’s acquisition of USAmeriBank.

Mr. Ogburn is very involved in the community as evidenced by his current Board membership in the Corporation To Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. and University Community Ministries, Inc. He has served in various capacities at each organization including Board President, Secretary and Treasurer. He has been an active volunteer and Board member for each organization over the last 25 years.

David is married to his wife Becky of 25 years and has two adult children, Megan (23) & Ryan (21). He enjoys boating, fishing and other outdoor activities.

David Ogburn

SVP and Market Executive

UBS Global Wealth Management

As one of the world’s leading wealth management firms, UBS Global Wealth Management has the resources and solutions to help clients pursue their most important goals. But their culture of consistently putting client needs front and center is what truly cultivates successful financial advisor and client relationships.

Greg Kadet

Since 2009, Gregory Kadet has served as UBS’s Managing Director, Market Head – Greater Florida. He joined UBS in 1997 and has held various sales management positions over the course of his tenure.

Kadet holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Arizona State University and has completed several UBS training programs, including the Key Talent Leadership Program in Zurich, Switzerland, the Management Development and Program, and Private Coaching through Right Management Consultants.

Active in the community, Kadet serves as a board member with the Tampa Hillsborough EDC, chair of Tampa General Hospital’s Planned Giving Committee, board member of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, board fellow of the University of Tampa, youth soccer coach, and was a member of the Leadership Tampa class of 2013.

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Greg Kadet

Managing Director, Market Head – Greater Florida

USAA

The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products, and advice to over 12 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the U.S. military or have received a discharge type of Honorable – and their eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio.

Keith O’Malley

Keith O’Malley is the Regional Site Director for USAA’s offices in Tampa, Florida. Keith’s primary area of responsibility is serving as the Chief of Staff to the Regional Vice President. He also works to strengthen USAA’s brand and reputation in the community, promote a safe work environment and enhance campus operations through strong leadership, communication, and integration.

Keith has nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, with all but three of those years with USAA. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of leadership positions and has lived in several cities across the USA to include Virginia Beach, VA, Phoenix, AZ and Tampa, FL.

Keith is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a B.A. in Business (Economics) and is a proud Navy brat. He is an active member of the community and enjoys volunteering his time. Keith enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa and their four children.

Keith O’Malley

Regional Site Director

Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Citi’s core activities are safeguarding assets, lending money, making payments and accessing the capital markets on behalf of our clients.

The Tampa site, established in 1983, supports more than 20 different lines of business including: Anti Money Laundering Operations, Shared Services, Global Banking Functions, an Institutional Client Group and Technology operations, including Citi Private Bank. Citi maintains proactive relationships with 20 community partners and has given nearly $250,000 throughout the Tampa Bay community.

Florence Yagoda

Florence Yagoda is Director, Business Risk and Supervision at Citi Private Bank. Florence is responsible for the business risk team in Tampa that performs regular oversight of investment activities across bank and brokerage platforms according to Citi policies and regulatory requirements. Florence also leads the team that reviews all investment related correspondence, advertising and communications to ensure adherence to FINRA guidelines. Prior to joining Citi in March 2010, Florence was Director, Investments Marketing at Bank of America in New York, New York with a focus on hedge funds and private equity. Earlier in her career she worked in a variety of investment marketing roles for Futures and Commodities managers at Kenmar Group, John W. Henry Inc., and Global Asset Management in the New York metropolitan area. Florence is a board member of the Chelly Foundation, a non-profit that helps to bring about positive changes in Cambodian children’s lives through literacy, education and other programs. A FINRA license holder of the 7, 24, 63, 65 and 31 registrations, Florence is also a graduate of American University (BA, Economics) and George Washington University(MBA, Marketing). Florence lives in Apollo Beach, Florida.

Florence Yagoda

Director, Regional Supervisory Principal

Regions Bank

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust, securities brokerage, mortgage and insurance products and services. Through its subsidiary, Regions Bank provides the backing of a top U.S. financial institution and the local focus of a community hometown bank. This means customers receive the quality services of a financial industry leader in addition to the confidence and convenience of banking with people at a neighborhood company they know. Their company mission reflects what customers say they want from a bank — simple, easy, reliable. While Regions’ financial solutions will help customers get more from their money, it is their purpose to help them get more out of life. As a company that has been around since 1856, Regions knows that banking relationships are founded on trust.

JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase is one of Tampa Bay’s largest private employers with 5,700 employees working in the region. The firm serves consumers and small businesses through more than 60 local Chase branches and 200 ATMs. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.7 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

April Rose Grajales

April Rose Grajales is a Relationship Executive in the Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries group of J.P. Morgan. She is responsible for a portfolio of US subsidiaries of large foreign multinational companies with North American headquarters in North Florida.

April has worked in the financial industry for 15 years holding roles in branch management, retail expansion, commercial underwriting, and middle market banking. She is committed to building cross cultural relationships and is dedicated in providing her clients with financial expertise and unparalleled firm wide capabilities. Foreign owned companies have unique requirements and characteristics that differ from US headquartered companies. April understands and appreciates this ecosystem of corporations and can help to add value and efficiencies to the working capital and bottom line of her foreign-owned clients.

April is Co-Chair of J.P. Morgan’s Tampa Market Leadership Team and a board member for the Tampa Bay chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade. In addition she is a Girl Scout Junior Troop Leader. She was Chair of the University of South Florida Alumni Association from 2017-2018. In November 2013, April received the Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award for her service and dedication to Emerge Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay business community. She has previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, and the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women. In addition, April is a member of Leadership Pinellas Class of 2014, Leadership Tampa Class of 2010, and Tampa Connection Class of 2007.

April and her husband, Braulio Grajales, reside in South Tampa but she grew up throughout the southeast through her father’s Air Force career. April received her MBA from the University of South Florida and has earned the Certified Treasury Professional designation. She is a member at Christ the King Catholic Church and is the proud parent of a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. In her free time, April enjoys dancing, learning Spanish, & traveling.

April Rose Grajales

Executive Director, Multinational Corporate Banking – North Florida

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $2.0 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,300 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 42 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 263,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune’s 2017 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

James M. Themides

Jim Themides is the regional vice president for the Wells Fargo Tampa Bay/Gulf Coast Regional Commercial Banking Office (RCBO). A 30 year financial services veteran, Jim is responsible for a team of professionals who serve middle market businesses with annual revenue greater than $25 million.

Prior to his current role, Jim served as Wells Fargo’s area business banking manager in Southwest Florida, where he was responsible for leading seven business banking teams and one credit analyst team throughout the Greater Gulf Coast Region and the Treasure Coast. In addition, Jim has served as regional president in two markets, Tampa Bay and Baltimore, and was responsible for the overall success of all lines of business in each region. Before assuming the regional president role in Baltimore, Jim served at Wells Fargo predecessor Wachovia as the commercial banking executive for the Mid-Atlantic Region. He started his career with Wachovia in 1986.

Jim holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business administration from Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. He also completed an executive leadership program with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Active in the community, Jim serves on the Boards of Directors of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

James M. Themides

Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Established in 1858, the company has $130 billion in assets and operates 17 affiliates with 1,311 full-service banking centers and 2,605 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest, and as of December 31, 2013, they had $302 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $27 billion for individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations. The Tampa Bay affiliate operates 48 banking centers throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties.

Jim Weiss

Jim Weiss is regional president of Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (South Florida). He is responsible for the growth and strategic alignment of our Business, Commercial, Wealth & Asset Management and Consumer businesses to deliver distinctive value to our customers and community impact in the region.

Jim has a decade’s experience in Florida banking with Fifth Third, most recently as credit risk executive, with oversight for Middle Market, Business Banking, Wealth & Asset Management, Treasury Management, Dealer Floorplan and Asset Based lending. He previously served three years as Tampa city president and before that as senior commercial banker in the North Florida region and as Tampa business banking executive.

Jim relocated to Florida after four years with Fifth Third in St. Louis, where he served as Wealth & Asset Management executive and commercial sales manager. Before coming to Fifth Third in 2007, he served as first vice president and middle market team lead for Commerce Bank, N.A., in St. Louis. He has more than 25 years of commercial management experience.

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in finance from Saint Louis University, where he also earned certification in economic development.

Jim serves as chairman of the board of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, on the board of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce and on the executive board of directors for the Florida Aquarium. In addition to his commitment to the community and nonprofit work, Jim also enjoys spending time with his wife and three grown children traveling, scuba diving, watching baseball and cruising.

Jim Weiss

Regional President, South Florida

Bank of Tampa

The Bank of Tampa is one of the largest community banks in the Tampa Bay area. It has been privately held by its employees, directors and clients since the bank’s inception in 1984. It has offices in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, as well as a loan production office in Pasco County. The Bank of Tampa’s assets total more than $3.3 billion, with outstanding loans greater than $1.4 billion. Its wealth management practice has more than $1 billion total assets under care. To learn more, visit www.thebankoftampa.com, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Scott C. Gault

Scott Gault serves as Hillsborough and Pasco County Market President at The Bank of Tampa. In this role, he leads the strategic direction for The Bank of Tampa’s Hillsborough and Pasco offices. Additionally, he holds enterprise responsibilities for the bank’s Middle Market and SBA areas. Scott brings nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Scott is passionate about giving back to the community, serving on the board of directors for WEDU PBS, St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, as well as the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he serves on the Executive Advisory Council for the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business.

Gault holds an MBA in international finance from Florida Metropolitan University, as well as an undergraduate degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. In 2019, he completed the Columbia University Business School’s Advanced Management Program. Additionally, he has completed the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business’s Bank Financial Leadership program. Scott is also a GE Capital trained Six Sigma Green Belt.

Scott C. Gault

Executive Vice President, Hillsborough and Pasco County Market Director

Truist

Are you ready for a better banking experience? BB&T and SunTrust have combined to bring you even greater access to your finances while maintaining the personal support and advice you’ve come to know. Truist is dedicated to transforming tomorrow for the people we’re so proud to serve. We want to build a better future for our clients, employees and communities. Here’s what we’re doing to make sure we deliver on those promises.

Lindsay August

Lindsay August is a long-time commercial banker who has worked with countless Tampa Bay businesses over the past 17 years. She takes a collaborative, pragmatic approach with her clients, finding creative solutions to meet their goals and objectives. Lindsay works with businesses and not-for-profits to provide strategic credit, cash management, capital markets, retirement services, risk management solutions, and much more. BB&T now Truist’s community banking model, coupled with its “big bank” capabilities, allows Lindsay to provide comprehensive solutions and exceptional service.

Lindsay August

Tampa Market President

GTE Financial

GTE Financial is a leading not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $1.6 billion in assets and 21 Community Financial Centers located throughout West Central Florida. GTE Financial offers every needed financial product and service for individuals in the community, such as checking and savings accounts, business services, personal, home and auto loans, credit cards, insurance and investments, but typically at better rates and with fewer fees than traditional banks. Chartered in 1935, GTE Financial remains locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area and currently serves more than 212,000 individuals and businesses.

Brian Best

As President and CEO of GTE Financial, Brian Best’s approach to leadership is all about serving others and ensuring that people always come first. With the support and guidance of a seasoned Board of Directors and an invaluable Executive Management Team, he is focused on maximizing return and value to the GTE membership and local community. Through elevating the employee experience, members gain a caring financial advocate that ensures they earn more, save more and live better. Additionally, GTE is focused on providing innovation through a service lens, ensuring the credit union stays relevant within an ever-changing industry permeated by new technology and sophisticated services.

Prior to joining GTE, Best worked at Grow Financial Federal Credit Union where he served as the Chief Lending and Operations Officer. He has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years, holding senior management positions at some of the nation’s most preeminent banks and credit unions. He brings a diverse background in commercial and consumer banking, collections, operations, retail strategy, process improvement, investment and risk portfolio management, organizational branding and troubled business restructuring.

Best holds a bachelor’s in marketing from Wright State University, as well as a master’s from Saint Leo University. He has also graduated from the RMA School of Commercial Underwriting and Portfolio Management, and has received his accreditation with Six Sigma as a master black belt.

Brian Best

President and CEO