The Directors’ Symposium provides bank board members with current data, thought-provoking industry trends and networking opportunities with other directors and regulators. The program is designed to benefit both new directors and seasoned veterans on the Board.

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Dates & Locations

April 14, 2026 - Columbia, MD

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
5485 Twin Knolls Rd
Columbia, MD 21045

April 15, 2026 – Richmond, VA

Four Points by Sheraton – Richmond
9901 Midlothian Tpke
Richmond, VA 23235

April 16, 2026 – Blacksburg, VA

The Inn at Virginia Tech
901 Prices Fork Rd
Blacksburg, VA 24061

April 14 Agenda (Columbia, MD Program)

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast & Registration

9:00 – 9:05 a.m. Welcome & Announcements

9:05 – 9:55 a.m. Economic Outlook Craig Dismuke | Stifel Financial 

9:55 – 10:45 a.m. Regulator Panel

Moderator: DeMarion Johnston | Maryland Bankers Association, DC Bankers Association & Virginia Bankers Association

Panelists: 

• Brent Acree | OCC
• Steve Bareford | Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Lauren Hertz | FDIC
• Michael Sprouse | Office of Financial Regulation

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Networking Break

11:00 – 11:50 a.m. Top Questions the Board Should Ask About Digital Assets (Stablecoin and Tokenized Deposits) Michael Glotz | SRA Consulting

As digital assets and blockchain-enabled payment innovations accelerate, bank boards are being asked to evaluate opportunities and risks surrounding stablecoins and tokenized deposits. This session will provide directors with a practical, governance-focused framework to help them fulfill their oversight responsibilities in this rapidly evolving area. Attendees will learn the critical strategic, regulatory, operational, liquidity, and reputational questions boards should be asking management before pursuing or supporting digital asset initiatives. The presentation will translate complex technical concepts into clear business and risk insights, helping directors understand how these emerging payment and deposit technologies may impact bank competitiveness, compliance expectations, and long-term franchise value.

11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch

12:50 – 1:40 p.m. Strengthening Credit Resilience: Processes, Contingencies and Culture
David Ruffin | OptimaFI Credit Risk

Preparing for periods of weaker credit performance is an enduring risk management protocol — and has clear implications on credit marks in potential M&A activity. The uncertainties of the past few years have given industry experts reason for concern, particularly following such a long period of benign performance. In this presentation, we’ll share tangible strategies and processes to help mitigate portfolio deterioration, emphasizing the role of a robust, consistent credit culture as a key driver of resilience.

1:40 – 1:50 p.m. Networking Break

1:50 – 2:40 p.m. M&A Strategies for the Current Environment Greyson Tuck | Gerrish, Smith, Tuck

The mergers and acquisitions environment is active. Some banks are looking to join in the activity as either a buyer or seller, while others are specifically looking to remain independent. This session will provide an engaging and informative overview of the current M&A environment and will present specific strategies and considerations for banks that are considering activity as either a buyer or seller as well as those that want to better understand the environment to foster continuing independence.

2:40 – 3:30 pm The AI Framework: A Layered Mosaic for Community Banks
Joe McMann | Artificial Intelligence Risk (AIR)

The AI Framework for Community Banks provides a disciplined, institution-level model for governing and scaling artificial intelligence inside a regulated banking environment. It treats AI as an operating discipline rather than a collection of tools. The Framework defines four maturity phases that help banks identify where they operate today and what structural conditions must exist before advancing safely. A Board-level scorecard translates ambition into oversight by measuring readiness across governance, data discipline, workflow integrity, and control consistency. The Framework is practical, examinable, and executable. It gives Boards, executives, and regulators a shared structure to ensure AI strengthens judgment, preserves trust, and scales only when institutional discipline is firmly in place.

April 15 & April 16 Agenda (Richmond & Blacksburg Programs)

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast & Registration

8:30 – 8:35 a.m. Welcome & Announcements

8:35 – 9:05 a.m. Recognizing & Preventing Financial Exploitation of the Elderly & Vulnerable Population  – What a Bank Director Needs to Know! DeMarion Johnston | Maryland Bankers Association, DC Bankers Association & Virginia Bankers Association

9:00 – 9:05 a.m. Welcome & Announcements

9:05 – 9:55 a.m. Economic Outlook Craig Dismuke | Stifel Financial 

9:55 – 10:45 a.m. Regulator Panel

Moderator: DeMarion Johnston | Maryland Bankers Association, DC Bankers  Association & Virginia Bankers Association

Panelists: 

• Amanda Edwards | OCC
• Jeffrey Deibel | Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Dustin Physioc | Bureau of Financial Institutions
• Ann Servaes | FDIC

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Networking Break

11:00 – 11:50 a.m. Top Questions the Board Should Ask About Digital Assets (Stablecoin and Tokenized Deposits) Michael Glotz | SRA Consulting

As digital assets and blockchain-enabled payment innovations accelerate, bank boards are being asked to evaluate opportunities and risks surrounding stablecoins and tokenized deposits. This session will provide directors with a practical, governance-focused framework to help them fulfill their oversight responsibilities in this rapidly evolving area. Attendees will learn the critical strategic, regulatory, operational, liquidity, and reputational questions boards should be asking management before pursuing or supporting digital asset initiatives. The presentation will translate complex technical concepts into clear business and risk insights, helping directors understand how these emerging payment and deposit technologies may impact bank competitiveness, compliance expectations, and long-term franchise value.

11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Lunch

12:50 – 1:40 p.m. Strengthening Credit Resilience: Processes, Contingencies and Culture
David Ruffin | OptimaFI Credit Risk

Preparing for periods of weaker credit performance is an enduring risk management protocol — and has clear implications on credit marks in potential M&A activity. The uncertainties of the past few years have given industry experts reason for concern, particularly following such a long period of benign performance. In this presentation, we’ll share tangible strategies and processes to help mitigate portfolio deterioration, emphasizing the role of a robust, consistent credit culture as a key driver of resilience.

1:40 – 1:50 p.m. Networking Break

1:50 – 2:40 p.m. M&A Strategies for the Current Environment Greyson Tuck | Gerrish, Smith, Tuck

The mergers and acquisitions environment is active. Some banks are looking to join in the activity as either a buyer or seller, while others are specifically looking to remain independent. This session will provide an engaging and informative overview of the current M&A environment and will present specific strategies and considerations for banks that are considering activity as either a buyer or seller as well as those that want to better understand the environment to foster continuing independence.

2:40 – 3:30 pm The AI Framework: A Layered Mosaic for Community Banks
Joe McMann | Artificial Intelligence Risk (AIR)

The AI Framework for Community Banks provides a disciplined, institution-level model for governing and scaling artificial intelligence inside a regulated banking environment. It treats AI as an operating discipline rather than a collection of tools. The Framework defines four maturity phases that help banks identify where they operate today and what structural conditions must exist before advancing safely. A Board-level scorecard translates ambition into oversight by measuring readiness across governance, data discipline, workflow integrity, and control consistency. The Framework is practical, examinable, and executable. It gives Boards, executives, and regulators a shared structure to ensure AI strengthens judgment, preserves trust, and scales only when institutional discipline is firmly in place.

Meet the 2026 Speakers

Brent H. Acree
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

Brent H. Acree is the Assistant Deputy Comptroller of the combined Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia offices at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).  He oversees community bank and thrift supervision for 29 banks and thrifts with assets totaling approximately $30 billion.

Mr. Acree began his OCC career in 2009 as an Assistant National Bank Examiner in San Antonio, TX, and earned his National Bank Examiner commission in 2015 in Charlotte, NC. His cross-credential commission enables him to supervise thrifts and federal savings banks.

Throughout his tenure at the OCC, Brent has worked in large and regional banks in Charlotte, New York, and Washington, as well as community banks across the Carolinas, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Mr. Acree holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Business Administration the University of Georgia.

Steven Bareford
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Steve Bareford is an Assistant Vice President in Supervision, Regulation and Credit (SRC) at the Baltimore branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.  Steve has specific responsibility for a portfolio of state-member community banks and the examination support areas for the Community & Regional Safety and Soundness area.  Steve is also the Chair of the planning committee for the Federal Reserve System’s annual community examiner Forum.  He joined the Reserve Bank in May of 1986 as a junior assistant examiner and was commissioned as an examiner in 1990. Steve has served in a number of roles during his career in SRC, dealing with financial institutions of various sizes and complexities.  Steve graduated from James Madison University in 1986, the MBA Maryland Bankers School in 1991 and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking in 1996

Jeffrey B. Deibel
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Jeff co-leads the Safety & Soundness (S&S) supervisory team for community and regional (C&R) institutions.  This team supervises Fifth District State member banks, holding companies and savings and loan holding companies under $100 billion to promote a safe and sound banking system.  

Jeff began his career with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in 1993 as an entry level examiner within the S&S division.  Jeff continued in this role and became a Commissioned examiner leading both bank and bank holding company examinations/inspections.  In 2000, Jeff shifted into policy and research positions which focused on off-site surveillance and District analytics.  In 2004, Jeff became a manager and supervised a portfolio of institutions along with an examination team. 

During the financial crisis, Jeff was actively involved in the supervisory process which included several troubled institutions under informal/formal enforcement actions.  In April 2012, Jeff was promoted to an Assistant Vice President and held several oversight responsibilities during the past few years, including a shift to oversight responsibility for the Consumer Affairs division in 2016.  Jeff was promoted into his current role in January 2019.

Jeff is a graduate of the South Carolina Banking School, alumni of Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Virginia.

Craig Dismuke
Stifel Financial

Craig Dismuke is a Managing Director and Chief Market Strategist in Fixed Income Capital Markets at Stifel Financial. Prior to acquisition, Craig was Chief Economist at Vining Sparks. He speaks often at industry conferences on the U.S. economic landscape and expectations for interest rates. Craig has appeared frequently on CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg TV. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee with his wife, Ashley, and three children. He is actively involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Amanda Edwards
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

Amanda Edwards is the Assistant Deputy Comptroller for the Charlotte/Roanoke Office of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). In this role, she is responsible for managing approximately $25 billion in assets across 28 institutions throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

Amanda began her career with the OCC in 2005. In prior agency roles, she specialized in problem bank rehabilitation, working with many struggling banks during the commercial real estate crisis of 2008. She later became a problem bank specialist in the OCC’s Northeast Region.

Amanda also has extensive experience supervising banks involved with fintech partnerships and she earned a FinTech certificate through the Harvard VPAL program. She takes an active role in preparing candidates for the Uniform Commission Examination (UCE) through her involvement as a UCE evaluator. Amanda is a Certified Fraud Examiner and maintains a Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) industry certification. She is a graduate of Winthrop University.

Michael Glotz
SRA Consulting

Mr. Glotz is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SRA Consulting (SRA) and is the firm’s practice leader for board governance, risk management, capital management, AI, and digital asset activities.

Mr. Glotz has led numerous risk management, audit, and capital planning engagement efforts for national, regional and community organizations. He has delivered Bank Director training for many State Banking Associations, and numerous boards of directors of banks. He is a former Risk Committee Co-Chair of the American Association of Bank Directors and is a faculty member of the Institute of Bank Director Education.

Prior to SRA, Mr. Glotz was a Managing Vice President with Capital One Financial Corporation. Mr. Glotz held several senior positions with Capital One including Managing Vice President of Corporate Audit and Credit Review Services for Capital One Bank, which included the oversight and development of over 100 audit and risk professionals. He also supported the implementation of Enterprise Risk Management and lead independent assessments of bank acquisition and integration activities for large-scale mergers. Prior to Capital One, he served as Senior Vice President and Strategic Financial Officer for Crestar Bank and later SunTrust Bank through acquisition. During his tenure with SunTrust Bank, he held various senior financial positions including Strategic Financial Officer (SFO.)

Mr. Glotz received a BBA Degree in Business with the University of Wisconsin, an MBA with the University of Richmond and completed the Executive Development Program at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Risk Professional. Mr. Glotz was also a contributing author to “Banking on Blockchain” published by the American Bar Association in 2025.

Joe McMann
Artificial Intelligence Risk (AIR)

Joe McMann is a seasoned entrepreneur and corporate strategist who currently serves as Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Artificial Intelligence Risk (AIR). In his role at AIR, Joe leads business and corporate development for a global business recognized as the premier platform to integrate high-risk AI safely. As a multi-time founder, Joe specializes in bridging the gap between innovative technology and practical implementation. Under AIR’s leadership, companies deploying high-risk AI—particularly within financial services—gain a tangible pathway to leverage enterprise-grade AI securely and effectively, ensuring accelerated innovation while preserving the relationships and trust that make them so valuable to clients.

Dustin Physioc
Bureau of Financial Institutions

Dustin Physioc has served as Commissioner of Financial Institutions for the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) since January 2026.  The BFI administers Virginia laws regarding depository and non-depository financial institutions including state-chartered banks, savings institutions, credit unions, trust companies, consumer finance companies, mortgage lenders and brokers, mortgage loan originators, sales-based financing providers, money transmitters, credit counseling agencies, motor vehicle title lenders, industrial loan associations, short-term lenders, check cashers, student loan servicers and debt settlement services providers.

Commissioner Physioc is a 20-year veteran of the BFI, having first joined the organization as a financial analyst in 2006.  From 2018 to 2025 he served as Deputy Commissioner for Administration and Licensing, where he developed and executed budget strategies generating more than $40 million in cumulative savings for regulated institutions and directed business process improvement initiatives to reduce application processing times during a period of record application volume.

Mr. Physioc holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from Virginia Tech. He is also a graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute and the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.

Greyson E. Tuck
Gerrish Smith Tuck, PC 
Gerrish Smith Tuck Consultants

Greyson E. Tuck is President of both the Memphis based law firm of Gerrish Smith Tuck, PC and Gerrish Smith Tuck Consultants, both of Memphis, Tennessee.  Mr. Tuck’s legal and consulting practice places special emphasis on community bank holding company formation and use, community bank mergers and acquisitions, regulatory matters, corporate reorganizations, corporate taxation, general corporate law and community bank strategic planning.  Mr. Tuck is a current faculty member at a number of banking schools across the country, and is a dynamic speaker that is a frequent presenter at state and national bank association conferences.

Mr. Tuck comes from a community banking family.  He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he majored in Accounting and Finance, and received his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he was a Herff Scholar.  Mr. Tuck is a graduate of the Paul W. Barret, Jr. School of Banking and currently serves as a faculty member at a number of banking schools across the country.  He is a frequent presenter at national and state bank association conferences and has authored a number of articles of interest to financial institutions. 

Michael Sprouse
Maryland Office of Financial Regulation

As Deputy Commissioner, Depository Supervision, Michael Sprouse oversees the Office’s supervision and regulation of all Maryland state-chartered banks, credit unions and trust companies, ensuring that the financial institutions are operating safely and soundly for the benefit of all of the citizens of Maryland and adhering to all state laws and regulations. He also manages the Office’s Corporate Activities functions, including inquiries about and response to the formation of new institutions or the undertaking of new activities by existing state-chartered institutions. Additionally, he has oversight of the Office’s administrative and personnel related activities.

Michael has worked in the banking industry in the State of Maryland for over 30 years, primarily focused on lending and loan administration. Prior to coming to the Office, he worked as the Chief Retail Banking Officer at The Peoples Bank located in Chestertown for the last two years, and Senior Vice President of Loan Administration/Consumer Lending at Harford Bank for 16 years prior. Michael was part of the senior management team that helped lead these banks to their strategic goals. He was an active member of the Asset-liability Committee, Marketing Committee, Special Assets/Problem Loan Committee and Officer Loan Committees. Michael’s areas of experience include developing new consumer loan business, enhancing efficiencies and automation in the loan process to provide a customer-centric environment, loan underwriting, collections, new product or procedure enhancements, compliance, personnel management, policy development, risk management, vendor management and loan administration.  In both financial institutions, he delivered new loan products to better serve the bank’s customers and enhance the bank’s growth. Prior to these positions, Michael worked at Provident Bank of Maryland as a Consumer Lending Underwriter and at Norwest Financial as a Branch Manager.

Michael earned a B.S. degree in Economics from Towson University and graduated from the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking, which included Wharton School of Business training. Michael also successfully completed the Harford County Leadership Academy and The Maryland Bankers Association Emerging Leader Program. He is a native Marylander and is married with two adult children and a dog.

Registration Rates

Registration Options	Fee
1-4 individual registrations	$395
5+ individual registrations	$350

EVENT POLICIES

By registering for this event, you are agreeing to the Event Policies.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All cancellations will be charged a $25.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 72 business hours before the program will be charged a $75.00 administrative fee plus any additional fees associated with the training. Substitutions are allowed prior to the beginning of the conference.

SPECIAL NEEDS & AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES NOTICE

If you have special needs that may affect your participation in this event, please contact Kristen Reid to discuss accommodations.

Hotel Information

Columbia, MD Program

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
5485 Twin Knolls Road
Columbia, MD 21045

The associations have secured a room block at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the rate of $139/night, plus taxes and fees.  To take advantage of the rate, click here and book your room by March 25, 2026. 

Richmond, VA Program

Four Points by Sheraton – Richmond
9901 Midlothian Tpke
Richmond, VA 23235

The associations have secured a room block at the Four Points by Sheraton – Richmond at the rate of $149/night, plus taxes and fees.  To take advantage of the rate, click here and book your room by March 16, 2026. 

Blacksburg, VA Program

The Inn at Virginia Tech
901 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, VA 24061

The associations have secured a room block at the The Inn at Virginia Tech at the rate of $159/night, plus taxes and fees.  To take advantage of the rate, click here and book your room by March 16, 2026. 

Sponsors

 

Interested in sponsoring at this event? Click here for our complete 2026 Sponsorship Brochure. Questions? Contact Amy Binns.