Ameris Bank Executive and Leadership Team

Michael Lee, the Executive Vice President & Regional President at Ameris Bank, directs regional banking operations across the Southeast. Overseeing the Banking Division, Lee manages complex commercial portfolios and ensures alignment with corporate growth targets. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board to refine credit risk strategies and expand market share in competitive territories. By optimizing branch performance and customer acquisition, Michael Lee directly impacts the financial health of the organization. Lee secures long-term stability through disciplined asset management and strategic oversight of regional lending initiatives. The Executive Vice President & Regional President maintains high standards for operational efficiency while fostering strong relationships with commercial clients. Through consistent execution of banking services, Lee strengthens the market position of the institution across diverse geographic sectors, ensuring that regional objectives remain synchronized with the broader corporate mission of providing reliable financial solutions to retail and commercial customers.

Justin McClain, the Market President - TN Region at Ameris Bank, architects the growth strategy for the Tennessee market. Managing local commercial relationships, McClain drives the expansion of the Banking Division by identifying new opportunities for retail and commercial engagement. This leadership role requires constant collaboration with the executive team to implement localized financial products that meet specific regional demands. By leveraging deep market insights, Justin McClain enhances the visibility of the bank within the community. McClain ensures that all lending activities adhere to strict risk management protocols while simultaneously pushing for aggressive revenue targets. The Market President - TN Region oversees the daily operations of local branches, ensuring that service delivery remains consistent with the high standards of the organization. Through proactive business development and community involvement, McClain secures a competitive advantage, effectively positioning the bank as a primary financial partner for businesses and individuals throughout the Tennessee region.

Tracy Pickle, the Market President at Ameris Bank, manages the strategic direction of commercial banking operations within the designated market area. Overseeing the Banking Division, Pickle drives the development of tailored financial solutions for local businesses and retail customers. This leadership role involves managing a diverse portfolio of accounts and ensuring that all credit decisions align with the risk appetite of the institution. By fostering strong client relationships, Tracy Pickle directly contributes to the growth of the regional loan book. Pickle coordinates with other market leaders to share best practices and improve operational efficiency across the organization. The Market President maintains a focus on market penetration and customer retention, ensuring that the bank remains the preferred choice for financial services. Through diligent oversight of local market dynamics, Pickle secures consistent revenue streams and supports the overall mission of providing accessible, high-quality banking services to the communities served by the bank.

Robert Odom, the President Mortgage Banking Executive at Ameris Bank, directs the operations of the Retail Mortgage Division. Overseeing the entire mortgage lifecycle, Odom ensures that the bank provides competitive financing options to retail customers across the Southeast. This leadership role involves managing the underwriting process, secondary market relationships, and loan production teams to maximize efficiency and profitability. By optimizing the mortgage pipeline, Robert Odom directly impacts the revenue generation of the division. Odom collaborates with the executive leadership to align mortgage strategies with the broader goals of the bank. The President Mortgage Banking Executive maintains rigorous compliance standards while driving volume growth in the housing finance sector. Through strategic planning and operational excellence, Odom secures the market position of the bank as a leading mortgage provider, ensuring that the Retail Mortgage Division remains a core pillar of the overall financial services portfolio.

Michael Hodges, the Market President at Ameris Bank, leads the expansion of commercial banking services within the assigned territory. Overseeing the Banking Division, Hodges focuses on cultivating relationships with mid-market enterprises and retail clients. This leadership role involves managing the local sales force and ensuring that all financial products meet the specific needs of the regional customer base. By driving business development initiatives, Michael Hodges directly contributes to the growth of the bank's commercial loan portfolio. Hodges coordinates with the SBA Division to provide specialized financing solutions to small businesses, thereby enhancing the bank's impact on local economic development. The Market President ensures that all operational activities remain compliant with internal policies and regulatory requirements. Through proactive market engagement and strategic resource allocation, Hodges secures a strong competitive position, ensuring that the bank continues to deliver value to its customers while achieving sustainable growth targets.

Remer Brinson, the President, State (Georgia) at Ameris Bank, directs the strategic operations of the bank within the Georgia market. Overseeing the Banking Division, Brinson manages the integration of retail and commercial services to ensure a seamless customer experience. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional teams to drive growth and maintain high service standards across the state. By leveraging deep knowledge of the Georgia financial landscape, Remer Brinson directly impacts the bank's market share and profitability. Brinson collaborates with the executive team to refine the overall corporate strategy and ensure that state-level initiatives align with the broader mission of the organization. The President, State (Georgia) maintains a focus on community engagement and business development, ensuring that the bank remains a trusted financial partner. Through disciplined leadership and operational oversight, Brinson secures the long-term success of the bank's operations in its home state, driving consistent performance and growth.

Julie Dargani, the NC Market President, Middle Market at Ameris Bank, architects the growth strategy for the middle-market segment in North Carolina. Overseeing the Banking Division, Dargani focuses on providing specialized financial solutions to mid-sized businesses. This leadership role involves managing complex commercial relationships and ensuring that the bank delivers high-value advisory services. By driving business development in the middle-market sector, Julie Dargani directly contributes to the expansion of the bank's commercial portfolio. Dargani collaborates with the SBA Division to support the growth of local enterprises, thereby strengthening the bank's presence in the region. The NC Market President, Middle Market maintains a focus on risk management and portfolio quality, ensuring that all lending activities support the long-term stability of the organization. Through strategic market positioning and proactive client management, Dargani secures a competitive advantage, effectively establishing the bank as a premier financial partner for middle-market businesses in North Carolina.

John Krusoe, the President, Market Central Florida (West) at Ameris Bank, directs the banking operations in the Central Florida region. Overseeing the Banking Division, Krusoe manages the delivery of retail and commercial services to a diverse customer base. This leadership role involves identifying growth opportunities in the local market and ensuring that the bank's financial products remain competitive. By driving business development and customer acquisition, John Krusoe directly impacts the regional performance of the bank. Krusoe coordinates with the Retail Mortgage Division to provide comprehensive financial solutions to the local community. The President, Market Central Florida (West) maintains a focus on operational excellence and regulatory compliance, ensuring that all activities align with the corporate mission. Through proactive market engagement and strategic resource management, Krusoe secures a strong competitive position, effectively establishing the bank as a key financial institution in the Central Florida region, supporting both retail and commercial growth.

Vicki Blum, the Senior Account Executive & President, Amba & Engaged Mortgage Professional at Ameris Bank, manages specialized mortgage lending initiatives. Overseeing the Retail Mortgage Division, Blum drives the development of innovative mortgage products tailored to the needs of engaged professionals. This leadership role involves managing key account relationships and ensuring that the bank provides exceptional service to its mortgage clients. By optimizing the mortgage sales process, Vicki Blum directly contributes to the growth of the Retail Mortgage Division. Blum collaborates with the executive team to align mortgage strategies with the broader goals of the bank. The Senior Account Executive & President, Amba & Engaged Mortgage Professional maintains a focus on market penetration and customer satisfaction, ensuring that the bank remains a preferred choice for mortgage financing. Through strategic planning and operational excellence, Blum secures the market position of the bank, ensuring that the mortgage division remains a core pillar of the financial services portfolio.

Scott Cleveland, the Market President at Ameris Bank, leads the strategic operations of the bank within the designated market area. Overseeing the Banking Division, Cleveland manages the delivery of retail and commercial banking services to local customers. This leadership role involves driving business development and ensuring that the bank's financial products meet the specific needs of the regional market. By fostering strong client relationships, Scott Cleveland directly contributes to the growth of the bank's commercial loan portfolio. Cleveland coordinates with other market leaders to share best practices and improve operational efficiency across the organization. The Market President maintains a focus on market penetration and customer retention, ensuring that the bank remains a trusted financial partner. Through diligent oversight of local market dynamics, Cleveland secures consistent revenue streams and supports the overall mission of providing accessible, high-quality banking services to the communities served by the bank, ensuring long-term success and growth.