Foundation Leadership

Michael Pierson has served as 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.

"The Foundation was created to further Ameris Bank's purpose to provide financial piece of mind. We partner with organizations that are equally as passionate about promoting financial equity and serving others, not just through words, but through actions."

- Michael Pierson

Palmer Proctor is the 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.

"We live in a world where not everyone is given the same opportunities to further their learning and their personal growth," Palmer said. "This foundation will fervently and deliberately work toward closing those gaps through education and purposeful action to further level the playing field."

- Palmer Proctor

Until her retirement at the end of 2021, Cindi H. Lewis served as the Chief Administrative Officer of Ameris Bank dating back to May 2006 and was the Corporate Secretary since May 2000 and Executive Vice President since May 2002. She served as Director of Human Resources of Ameris Bancorp from May 2000 until May 2006. She served as Senior Vice President of Ameris Bancorp from May 2000 to May 2002 and its Vice President and Assistant Corporate Secretary from April 1992 to May 2000.

"Food insecurity is a cause that affects every community we serve," Cindi said. "Many Americans do not know where their next meal is coming from and we at Ameris take it upon ourselves to do our part to better the peace of mind of those we serve."

- Cindi Lewis

Michael Pierson has served as 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.

"The Foundation was created to further Ameris Bank's purpose to provide financial piece of mind. We partner with organizations that are equally as passionate about promoting financial equity and serving others, not just through words, but through actions."

- Michael Pierson

Matt Roux has served as the director of financial reporting for Ameris Bank since March 2019. He holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University. Matt boasts more than 15 years in accounting and auditing, including nearly eight years in banking.

"Natural disasters are unfortunately almost commonplace across the Southeast," Matt said. "They can leave entire communities in disarray and as a fabric woven into our communities it is our duty to be a piece of the effort that helps them heal. Providing resources and assistance in any way we can is critical in building our communities back and helping them return to normalcy."

- Matt Roux

Elna Klein-Kolarich is the Assistant Corporate Secretary and Corporate Executive Assistant for Ameris Bank. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Memphis. Elna worked for Fidelity Bank for more than a decade before assuming her current position with Ameris following the 2019 merger.

"Promoting awareness and availability of mental health support and services is a vital part of moving our communities forward," she said. "What was once left alone in the shadows has recently come to light, and by destigmatizing mental health issues, it will allow more people to get the assistance they need to pursue fuller, richer lives."

- Elna Klein-Kolarich

Sue Cole is Ameris Bank’s managing director of marketing and has led marketing for the bank since 2007. Sue brings more than 25 years of strategic marketing experience to Ameris. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Communications as well as a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management, both from Clarkson University.

Karlene Gordon joined Ameris Bank in 2018 and is the company’s diversity and inclusion officer. A graduate of Queens College, Karlene holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is an active member in the Accomplished Leaders Exchange with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in Atlanta. She is also a member of the Women in Banking Committee for the Georgia Bankers Association and an executive board member for the Greater Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce.

John Exum has served as corporate counsel for Ameris Bank since October 2016. John has more than a decade of professional legal experience and is a registered civil mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and holds a Juris Doctor from Samford University.