SouthState Corporation, a financial services company, has announced a group of new hires and promotions in its Private Wealth, Small Business and Commercial Banking divisions. This move is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing its customers with the best possible service and expertise. The new hires and promotions represent a significant development for SouthState, as they showcase the company’s ability to attract and develop top talent from within and outside the organization. The bankers hired from other financial institutions bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, while the veterans promoted from within demonstrate the company’s dedication to fostering a culture of growth and development. According to Richard Murray, President of SouthState, “SouthState is committed to providing our small business clients with what they need to succeed long term and our wealth clients with tools and expertise to plan for a secure future. We confidently expect these bankers to enhance our existing services and uphold the level of relationship banking we strive to maintain.”
The new Small Business Banking Group Leaders are Joseph Brice and Rob Pregnolato, who will be overseeing the Northern and Southern Groups, respectively. Brice, a member of SouthState since 2013, will serve as Small Business Banking Group Leader for the Northern Group, while Pregnolato will continue serving the Treasure Coast region as Small Business Banking Group Leader for the Southern Group. Working under Brice and Pregnolato are four new Small Business bankers, including:
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- Peter Bevel – small business banker, Birmingham, Alabama – most recently worked as a SouthState branch manager with previous experience in retail banking at PNC and Wells Fargo. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Carson-Newman University and has extensive experience in credit analysis and underwriting standards.
- Andrew Leech – small business banker, Daytona, Florida – spent 29 years serving clients in a variety of banking roles, including financial sales representative, branch manager, senior market manager, and retail banking administrator. He specializes in providing an excellent client experience and being a local leader with focus on growing relationships with businesses and customers in his community.
- Tanesha Thrash – small business banker, LaGrange, Georgia – joined SouthState in 2016 as a branch manager where she developed relationships with individual and business clients. Previous roles include customer service representatives and teller at Community Bank and Trust. Thrash earned an associate degree from West Georgia Technical College.
- Christy Truitt – small business banker, Auburn, Alabama – has worked in banking for 25 years in various roles, including branch manager, loan originator, and relationship manager. She joined SouthState in 2023 as a branch manager. Truitt received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and holds ABA certification in small business banking and branch manager.
The new Private Wealth advisors include:
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- Will Barlow – portfolio manager, Atlanta, Georgia – joins SouthState from Wells Fargo where he spent 16 years working with high-net-worth clients. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst and Certified Private Wealth Advisor and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
- April Croasmun – wealth and fiduciary advisor, Jacksonville, Florida – has 20 years’ experience managing trusts and developing estate plans. A trust professional since 1998, she worked for a philanthropic organization before moving to a large financial institution. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida State College at Jacksonville and her Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation from the American Bankers Association.
- Jennifer Thompson – wealth and fiduciary advisor, Hilton Head, South Carolina – serves the Savannah, Hilton Head, Bluffton and Beaufort markets. A wealth management professional since 1997, Thompson has deep expertise managing client relationships and delivering comprehensive wealth management solutions. She earned an MBA from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia and Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science from Duke University. Her certifications include Certified Financial Planner professional, Certified Trust & Fiduciary Advisor, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Chartered Life Underwriter.
- Steven Wickline – senior portfolio manager, Charleston, South Carolina – focuses on developing investment strategy and investment portfolios for his clients. Prior to joining SouthState in 2024, he spent 18 years in various investment-related roles including portfolio management and alternative investments. He received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Lynchburg and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
The new Commercial Banking team members include:
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| New Recruits | Experience | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Lauren Ervin – commercial relationship manager, Jacksonville, Florida | Over 20 years of financial services experience and a wealth of commercial banking and real estate knowledge | Broughts over 20 years of financial services experience and a wealth of commercial banking and real estate knowledge to her new role |
| Matt Mehr – private capital solutions relationship manager, Raleigh, North Carolina | Joining SouthState from Leyline Renewable Capital, where he served in a portfolio management role | Joining SouthState from Leyline Renewable Capital, where he served in a portfolio management role overseeing 15 renewable energy projects across North America |
| Douglas Tuttle – commercial relationship manager, Athens, Georgia | Is a veteran banker with experience in roles including business development officer, regional director for the East coast and relationship manager | Is a veteran banker with experience in roles including business development officer, regional director for the East coast and relationship manager |
SouthState Corporation is a financial services company headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida. The bank provides consumer, commercial, mortgage and wealth management solutions to more than 1.5 million customers throughout Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, Georgia, Colorado, Alabama, and Virginia. The bank also serves clients nationwide through its correspondent banking division. SouthState Bank, N.A., the company’s nationally chartered bank subsidiary, is committed to providing exceptional service and expertise to its customers. The company’s commitment to its customers is evident in its decision to promote and hire talented individuals from within and outside the organization. The company’s commitment to its employees is also evident in its decision to promote and hire talented individuals from within and outside the organization. The new hires and promotions represent a significant development for SouthState, and demonstrate the company’s dedication to growth and development. SouthState Corporation is a leading financial services company in the United States, and its commitment to providing exceptional service and expertise to its customers is evident in its decision to promote and hire talented individuals from within and outside the organization. The company’s commitment to its customers is a testament to its dedication to growth and development.
“We are pleased to welcome these talented individuals to our team,” said Richard Murray, President of SouthState. “Their expertise and experience will be a valuable asset to our customers and will help us to continue to provide exceptional service and expertise.”
The new hires and promotions represent a significant development for SouthState, and demonstrate the company’s dedication to growth and development. Key Takeaway:
SouthState Corporation is a financial services company committed to providing exceptional service and expertise to its customers. Highlights:
* SouthState Corporation announces new hires and promotions in its Private Wealth, Small Business and Commercial Banking divisions.
* Private Wealth: A financial service that provides investment management and wealth planning services to high-net-worth individuals and families. * Small Business Banking: A financial service that provides banking services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. * Commercial Banking: A financial service that provides banking services to businesses and corporations. Industry Expert Insights:
SouthState Corporation is a leading financial services company in the United States. The company’s commitment to providing exceptional service and expertise to its customers is evident in its decision to promote and hire talented individuals from within and outside the organization. The company’s focus on growth and development is evident in its decision to invest in its employees and promote talented individuals from within and outside the organization. SouthState Corporation is a financial services company that provides consumer, commercial, mortgage and wealth management solutions to more than 1.5 million customers throughout Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, Georgia, Colorado, Alabama, and Virginia. What’s Next:
The new hires and promotions represent a significant development for SouthState, and demonstrate the company’s dedication to growth and development. Final Thoughts:
SouthState Corporation is a financial services company that provides exceptional service and expertise to its customers.
