Jordan Adams
HR Business Partner
GenUnited ERG Co-Chair
MEET OUR TASK FORCE
Jordan Adams
HR Business Partner
GenUnited ERG Co-Chair
Jordan Adams
Jordan is an Ameris Bank HR business partner supporting the mortgage division. She started her HR career in the construction and consulting industry, then transferred to banking in 2017. Jordan holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Auburn University. Jordan’s passions are people and large cups of coffee in the morning. Her mission is to successfully support Ameris Bank by anticipating and meeting the changing needs of the workforce while promoting a positive work environment that is built by strong relationships, open communication and trust.
Kena Ceasar
Branch Manager
Women in Banking ERG Co-Chair
Kena Ceasar
With over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, Kena currently serves as an branch manager with a passion for small businesses and their financial success. Kena serves on the Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is the Chamber's Small Business Council Chair. She is also an Advisory Council Board Member for Communities In Schools.
Jennifer Garizio
Director of Learning & Development
GenUnited ERG Co-Chair
Jennifer Garizio
Jennifer is Ameris Bank’s learning and development director. Her career includes 27 years in the banking industry where she has been responsible for human resources and learning and development efforts. Prior to working at Ameris Bank, Jennifer served as executive director of a Northeast Florida nonprofit where she was responsible for program management, accreditation and management oversight of the agency and staff which supported the most vulnerable in the community.
Jack Hanrahan
Mortgage Banker
Minds Matter ERG Co-Chair
Jack Hanrahan
Working in the mortgage industry for almost 20 years, Jack takes great pride in providing his customers with an exceptional mortgage banking experience. As an Ameris Bank mortgage banker, Jack stays informed of current industry news and trends, providing the most up-to-date information and lending solutions to his customers. Jack attended Erie Community College and is a proud community supporter. He is a sponsor of the Freeway Music on Ramp Scholarship Program and a member and Regal award recipient for the BIA/SMC of Greater Columbia, South Carolina.
Brenda Harris
Retail Area Manager
Women in Banking ERG Co-Chair
Brenda Harris
Brenda is an Ameris Bank retail area manager with over 40 years of banking experience. Brenda has held prior leadership positions at Hamilton State Bank, Fifth Third Bank, First Horizon Bank and Wachovia Bank. Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Georgia. An active community supporter, Brenda is a past board member for the Cobb County YMCA, a member of the National Association of Professional Women, supporter of the Collective Revitalization Group of South Tifton, strong advocate of the International Dyslexia Association of Georgia and member of Linked Up Church in Powder Springs, Georgia.
Richard Isabu
Retail Support Center Specialist
Pride and Allies ERG Co-Chair
Richard Isabu
Richard is an Ameris Bank retail support center specialist with over 14 years of experience in the financial industry. While building his career in banking, Richard received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State Perimeter College. Richard has a passion for people and can develop deep connections in a short amount of time, which he attributes to being one of six children in a large family.
Bill Lutes
Market President
Minds Matter ERG Co-Chair
Bill Lutes
Bill is Ameris Bank’s market president for the Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida region. With a banking career that spans nearly 35 years, Bill is an established, trusted leader dedicated to service and to effectively guiding sales and operations that generate high levels of return and a consistent delivery on promised results. Over his career, Bill has successfully executed on over $5.2 billion in loan closings. Bill holds a master’s in business administration and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lewis University. Bill is active in the community, serving as the Gracepoint Foundation Board President and the founder of the Andrew Lutes Endowment.
Jozi Marlowe
Universal Banker
Taskforce Facilitator
Jozi Marlowe
Jozi has been with Ameris Bank for four years and is currently serving as a universal banker. She holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and human resource management, as well as an A.A.S. in business management and certification as a human resources specialist. Jozi is a member of the Savannah SHRM Area Chapter.
Lisa Miles
Accounts Payable Manager
The Place ERG Co-Chair
Lisa Miles
Lisa is an Ameris Bank accounts payable manager and is responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of accounts payable functions for the bank. Prior to joining Ameris Bank, Lisa was an accounts payable compliance manager at SunTrust Bank for over twenty years. Lisa earned her master’s of accountancy and MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s in business administration from Savanah State University.
Lesa Nix-Mack
Branch Manager
Minds Matter ERG Co-Chair
Lesa Nix-Mack
Lesa is a vice president and branch manager for the Jacksonville Beach Ameris Bank branch. With 10 years of banking experience, Lesa is a seasoned banker and leader. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Jones College, and proudly served in the US Navy for six and a half years.
Pat Powers
Mortgage Banker
Indispensables ERG Co-Chair
Pat Powers
Pat is an Ameris Bank mortgage banker with two decades of successful experience. He specializes in residential lending and uses his experiences to facilitate the lending process with creative and goal orientated solutions. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking, Pat regularly develops specific communication campaigns to assist his clients in reaching their dream of home ownership.
Bridgette Prise
Retail Area Manager
Indispensables ERG Co-Chair
Bridgette Prise
Bridgette is a certified anti-money laundering specialist and Ameris Bank retail area manager, partnering with branch managers, market presidents, commercial bankers and other lines of business partners to increase brand awareness, maximize operational and service excellence and deliver financial performance throughout the regions that she supports. As a seasoned banker with more than 20 years of banking experience, Bridgette holds a Master of Science degree from Troy State University in management, with a concentration in organizational leadership and effectiveness, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Albany State University in management. Bridgette believes in helping leaders realize their greatest potential and equipping them with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to best support their clients, so that their clients can focus their attention on growing their business or personal finances.
Brandon Sherman
Regional VP Community Development Manager
The Place ERG Co-Chair
Brandon Sherman
Brandon is an Ameris Bank regional vice president community development manager in Fayetteville, Georgia. He has served in the financial services industry for 25 years. A graduate of Point University, Brandon holds a Bachelor of Science in Christian ministries with a minor in human relations. Brandon, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, relocated to Peachtree City, Georgia in 2005 after losing everything to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. A community advocate, Brandon serves as board treasurer for the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Chamber’s finance committee, board chair of the United Way of Greater Atlanta (Fayette County) and on the College Board of Trustees for Young Harris College. He is the accounting chair for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, a 2020 “Real Men Wear Pink” honoree and a 2018 recipient of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce Chet Wells Award in recognition of his dedication to furthering the success of the Chamber in the community.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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Ann-Stanton Cannarella, Director of Corporate Communications
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Gloria Davis, Senior HR Business Partner
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Carolyn Dodge, Corporate Compliance Officer
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Cindi Lewis, Chief Administrative Officer
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Jim LaHaise, Chief Strategy Officer
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Nila Patel, HRIS and Payroll Manager
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Michael Pierson, Chief Governance Officer
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Manuel Rey, Commercial Banking Market Executive, North Carolina
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Todd Shutley, Chief Specialty Banking Officer