We are thrilled to welcome you to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for our event! This year’s Convention will combine a great lineup of speakers on timely topics and networking with bankers and industry providers. We are excited to come together, enjoy each other’s company and educate ourselves on industry topics together.

Please bookmark this page for easy access during the event!

Thank you to our portal sponsor, DDI Technology

DDI Technology provides automotive title management services to lenders across the country. DDI can partner with banks to allow for easier processing and management of the titles. DDI operates and has solutions in all 50 states.

Contact:

Anthony Lipinski
ELT Inside Sales Representative
DDI Technology an IAA Company 
1 Wellness Blvd, Suite 201  | Irmo, SC  29063
O 803.490.3244 | C 803.587.5680 | Anthony.Lipinski@DDITechnology.com

About Our Speakers

Victor Branch 
Richmond Market President, Bank of America

As Market President, Victor Branch is Bank of America’s leader for the Richmond, VA Market. He connects businesses, families and individuals to the banking and investment teams that will help improve their financial lives. He also leads the work to deploy Bank of America’s resources across the market and the region to address social and economic concerns and build strong communities.

In addition to the Market President role, Victor also serves as the Market Executive for Richmond.  As Market Executive for Richmond since 2003, Victor has worked with local Bank of America leaders to shape our strategy for delivering one company in the Richmond market.

Victor joined Bank of America in 1984 through a predecessor institution’s management associate trainee program.  He worked in the Consumer Bank for several years and subsequently in Marketing before assuming the Market Executive role for Richmond.

Victor has been active in civic and community affairs throughout his career at Bank of America. In addition to being appointed by Governor Youngkin to serve on the board of visitors at Virginia State University, he most recently served on the board of visitors for William & Mary being appointed by Governor Northam in 2018.  He is a trustee of several Foundations, including Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, VA Museum of History & Culture, ChamberRVA and Venture Richmond. He is also a founding trustee of the Virginia Funders Network.  Lastly, he is a trustee on The Community Foundation of Richmond board where he serves on the Executive Committee.

Victor is a native of Dinwiddie County where he attended public school.  He graduated from Richard Bland College in 1982 with an Associate Arts Degree in Sociology. He matriculated to William & Mary where he graduated in 1984 with a BA in Sociology.  In 1991, he completed the Virginia Bankers Association School of Retail Management at the University of Virginia. 

Victor is married to his high school sweetheart, Michele Branch, and they have two adult daughters, Victoria, and Stephanie.

Jason Clayton
Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners

Jason joined Performance Trust in 2018 as a Director in the Balance Sheet Strategy Group, and works with banks across the southeast in applying the firm’s analytical methodology to empower decision makers. Prior to PTCP, Jason spent twelve years with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta where he held several responsibilities in Sales & Trading. This unique combination has allowed Jason to accrue over 18 years of experience working with banks on a number of strategies related to all aspects of the balance sheet. Jason began his career as an analyst in the commercial middle markets group at RBC Centura Bank followed by his role as a portfolio manager at SunTrust Bank. Jason is a CFA charter holder and 2002 graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN with a BA in Economics. He is Series 7 and 63 registered.

Janet Currie
President, Greater Maryland, Bank of America

Janet Currie is president of Bank of America, Greater Maryland Market and the market executive for the Local Markets Organization.

As President of Bank of America Greater Maryland, she is responsible for connecting banking and investment resources offered through the banks’ eight lines of business to people and companies across the region. She also leads the effort to deploy Bank of America’s resources to help advance economic mobility and build strong communities.

As the Market Executive, she leads Bank of America’s environmental social governance work in the region, leveraging the capabilities of the company to help partners, people, and communities more effectively address a wide range of issues.

During her more than 30-year career in financial services, Janet has held a number of key executive roles including National Banking Group Support executive responsible for supporting the operations of 5800 financial centers and owning significant processes in the Bank of America acquisition of FleetBoston Financial. She has also served as Consumer Market Executive responsible for the sales and operations of the Greater Baltimore financial centers, Premier Banking executive responsible for wealth management sales and operations and Consumer Mortgage Area Executive leading local home loan sales.

Before joining Bank of America in 1993, Janet worked for JP Morgan as a financial accounting trainee while simultaneously pursuing her graduate degree.

Janet holds a Master of Science degree from New York University, Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and a graduate of both Leadership Howard County and the Greater Baltimore Committee’s LEADERship programs. Janet has served on numerous local boards and currently serves on the board of the Maryland Bankers Association as Chair-Elect, the Greater Baltimore Committee as Secretary, Cherry Hill Strong, Baltimore Workforce Development and the Baltimore Convention and Tourism board. She Co-Chairs the Greater Baltimore Committee’s Baltimore Women’s Advisory Board.

Within Bank of America, Janet serves as the Co-Executive Sponsor for LEAD for Women, an employee network dedicated to connecting, developing, and elevating women to enable them to make meaningful contributions within Bank of America and the communities we serve.

Janet has been recognized as a Daily Record Influential Marylander, a Daily Record Power 30 Banking & Finance professional, a Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award winner, a Baltimore Sun 25 Women to Watch honoree, a Baltimore Business Journal -2022 Enterprising Women of Excellence honoree and Maryland’s Top 100 Women 2023 by The Daily Record.

Denise Hamilton
Inclusion Strategist and Author of Indivisible, WatchHerWork

Denise Hamilton is an author, speaker and consultant who focuses on the people side of change. Whether it’s remote work, AI or a diversifying workforce, today’s leaders need new skills to navigate our rapidly changing world. Denise leverages her 25 years of executive experience with Fortune 500 organizations like AOL and CBRE to provide solutions that support employees and the bottom line.

Denise is an irrationally optimistic believer in our ability to solve problems rather than just name them. Her superpower is the ability to discuss challenging topics and come out of the other side with positive direction and solutions. She uses this gift to lead workshops, design education programs, and coach senior leaders. She equips leaders to build and retain future-ready teams that thrive in dynamic environments. Denise’s goal is to empower individuals and teams to mine and close the gender gap, understand differences, resolve conflict, and become better allies. Her clients include household names, like Meta, ExxonMobil, Hines, Amazon, Shell, the United Nations, and the WNBA.

Denise was featured by the New York Times as a nationally recognized expert in social audio and has been featured on the Apple Store, Harvard Business Review, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, MIT Sloan Management Review, FOX, CBS, NBC, Newsweek and on many other outlets. Denise’s book, Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences Into a Stronger Future, is available for purchase now.

Frank Kelly
Founder & Managing Partner, Fulcrum Macro

Having worked as a senior executive on Wall Street as well as having served in senior government roles, Frank brings extensive global experience and insight into the public policy decision-making process and its impact on global markets.

Frank began his career as a writer for President Ronald Reagan and went on to serve in the White House Office of Political Affairs. He served as a writer for President George H.W. Bush and then served at the Justice Department in the Office of Policy Development, focusing on national security and international issues. From there, Frank went to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, being appointed Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman and Chief Spokesman for the Commission as well as a member of the SEC Senior Staff.

He then joined Merrill Lynch Investment Banking in New York serving as Chief of Staff and Global Head of Marketing for Investment Banking, Sales & Trading. Frank was also a member of the German/Swiss/Austria country coverage team and was involved in numerous large cross-border deals. He returned to Washington DC to establish Charles Schwab & Co.’s first Global Government & Regulatory Affairs operation. He served as both the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs and the firm’s first Chief Political Strategist.

Frank joined Deutsche Bank in 2003 as the Bank’s first Head of Government Affairs and then later, Global Coordinator for Government & Public Affairs. He was also the Bank’s first Chief Political Strategist. In this role, he advised the Bank’s top institutional clients globally on US and geopolitical issues. He also has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, establishing and heading up the Bank’s Direct Investment Advisory Group (DIAG). Frank and his team advised corporates on sensitive national and economic security-related mergers and acquisitions seeking approvals from the US Committee for Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS).

He is a member of the board of directors of Barnwell Industries (NYSE: BRN), a diversified oil/gas drilling/land development company.

Frank is also a Senior Advisor to The Scowcroft Group, a global business advisory firm with an emphasis on emerging markets. It supports clients at every business development stage, including political risk analysis, strategic planning, risk management, market development, and ongoing operations. The firm also supports clients in the investment community, providing leading-edge analysis of market impact events and trends.

Frank is an adjunct professor at The Catholic University School of Business teaching coursework on Business Intelligence and Risk Assessment. He is also a Senior Associate with the Americas Program at the Center for International and Strategic Studies (CSIS) in Washington where he focuses on Latin American politics, economics, and trade.

Frank serves on the Board of Directors of CODESPA America, an organization dedicated to helping those living in extreme poverty become self-reliant through access to dignified and sustainable work. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Jerome Lejeune Foundation of America which is dedicated to advocating for people with Downs Syndrome.

Frank is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the American Council on Germany, and the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies. He resides outside Washington DC in Great Falls, Virginia with his wife, Maura, on their working farm, Open Door Farm.

Ramon Looby
President & CEO, Maryland Bankers Association

Ramon O. Looby’s commitment to the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) is unmatched. As President and CEO of the MBA, his mission is to promote the strength of Maryland banks and bankers. Looby is a government relations expert with deep experience managing a diverse set of policy issues in highly regulated industries at the local and state levels across the United States.

Before his current role, Looby was Senior Vice President and Public Policy Lead at the Bank of America Corporation and was responsible for directing the company’s public policy strategy and implementing it on a regional basis. He is a trusted advisor to senior leaders and market executives, Looby proactively manages risk and identifies opportunities for the bank. In addition, he manages the Fortune 50 firm’s relationship with federal, state and local officials.

In addition, Looby spent several years managing a diverse portfolio of policy issues for the Consumer Data Industry Association. In this role, he worked closely with numerous internal and external stakeholders to develop a variety of strategic campaigns on behalf of industry interests. His role helped stakeholders gain exposure and better comprehension of the banking industry.

Previously, Looby served as Secretariat General for the World Consumer Credit Reporting Conference, where he served as the organization’s chief executive officer and organizing official, and as Special Advisor to the United States Chamber of Commerce, where he primarily focused on international affairs and trade policy. A lifelong proponent of public service, Looby began his career as a Public Information & Education Officer with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department.

Prior to his current role, Looby held the position of Vice Chairman of the Maryland Bankers Association, while simultaneously sitting on the boards and councils of several economic development and educational nonprofit organizations, including the University of Florida Alumni Association, National Safe Place Network, Food on The Stove, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

Looby is a recognized thought leader and has been featured as a speaker for a number of organizations, including the Association of Consumer Credit Information Suppliers, Equifax, American Bankers Association, South Carolina Bar Association, American Financial Services Association, National Urban League, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, University of Florida and the Washington Post.

Looby completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Florida in 2005 and 2008, respectively. In 2016, he was honored with the University’s Association of Black Alumni’ “40 under 40” recognition for his professional and civic achievements.

Ronda McDowell
EVP & COO, Sandy Spring Bank
2023-2024 MBA Chair

Ms. McDowell has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. She began her distinguished career with Sandy Spring Bank in 1996 as part of Credit Risk Management where she quickly established herself as an effective leader. In 2013, Ms. McDowell was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer and oversaw the development of policies and processes that supported the Bank’s strong asset quality performance and portfolio growth. In 2021, Ms. McDowell was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. In this capacity, she oversees the areas of Deposit Operations, Loan Operations and Administration, Business Project Management, Business Process Management and Corporate Real Estate & Facilities. Ms. McDowell currently serves as Chair of the Maryland Bankers Association Board of Directors.  She is also an active supporter of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program.

Josh Miller
CEO, The KeyState Companies

Josh Miller joined KeyState in 1998 and has served as the CEO since 2011. Under Josh’s leadership, KeyState’s registered investment advisor business has grown assets under management to over $15 billion, and KeyState has built the only bank captive insurance program in the country which is endorsed by 30 state banking associations. In 2019, he launched KeyState Renewables, which deploys solar tax credit investments for community banks and corporate investors. Josh received his bachelor’s degree in economics and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and holds board and leadership roles with various industry groups and non-profit organizations.

Brian Moynihan
Chair of the Board & CEO, Bank of America

Brian Moynihan leads a team of more than 210,000 employees dedicated to making financial lives better for people, companies of every size, and institutional investors across the United States and around the world.

Bank of America was named 2023 World’s Best Bank by Global Finance and has been selected as World’s Best Bank by Euromoney magazine twice in the last five years while winning 15 of the magazine’s Awards for Excellence in 2023, including World’s Best Bank for Markets, Financing, Diversity and Inclusion and Digital Bank. The company was also named America’s Most JUST Company and Top Company for Workers by JUST Capital, and it has been recognized as a leader in financial services, including on Forbes magazine’s list for World’s Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies as well as Fortune magazine’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies and Best Companies to WorkFor. Bank of America also was named on People’s Companies that Care list and is the top global bank on Fortune’sChange the World list. The company has been ranked four times on LinkedIn’s Top 50 Companies in the U.S. list, and also is recognized annually as a top employer by Working Mother, LATINA Style, Black Enterprise, Military Times and U.SVeterans Magazine.

Moynihan participates in several organizations that focus on economic and market trends, including the World EconomicForum’s International Business Council Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics Initiative (chair), the Financial Services Forum, the Bank Policy Institute, the Business Roundtable, The Clearing House Association (chair), the American HeartAssociation CEO Roundtable (co-chair), the Steering Committee of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism (co-chair), and the Business Council. He also is chair of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, which was founded by His Majesty King Charles III in his former role of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

Moynihan serves as chair of the company’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Council and is a member of the advisory council for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. He is also a member of the Brown University Corporation’s Board of Fellows and the Watson Institute Board of Governors (chair), the Catalyst Board of Directors, the Council on Competitiveness Board (chair) and the Appeal of Conscience Board of Trustees.

Moynihan works with public officials, businesses and civic leaders at the local level through his participation on the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership (chair) and the Partnership for Rhode Island.

Christopher Olsen
Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC

Christopher Olsen, Managing Partner of Olsen Palmer LLC, has been advising financial institutions for the entirety of his career including on more than 150 M&A transactions and more than $10 billion in total transaction value. He is the #1 ranked individual bank M&A advisor across the U.S. based on the number of transactions he has advised upon over the past 5 years. Mr. Olsen holds an MBA from Columbia University and a BBA from The George Washington University. He has also completed additional professional studies at Columbia Law School on M&A Law and through the American Bankers Association’s Institute of Banking on The Principles of Banking. He began his career in banking, first at Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo) then at a 3-branch community bank. A native of the Midwest, Mr. Olsen resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife and 2 daughters.

Dr. Lindsey Piegza
Chief Economist, Stifel

Dr. Lindsey Piegza is the Chief Economist for Stifel Financial. In her role, Dr. Piegza translates economic data and market-moving events to assist institutional and private wealth clients in better understanding today’s economy and making thoughtful investment decisions. She specializes in the research and analysis of economic trends and activity, world economies, financial markets, and monetary and fiscal policies. Prior to her role with Stifel, she was the Senior Economist for an investment bank in New York City for eight years consulting clients in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

A highly sought-after speaker across national and international forums, Dr. Piegza is often quoted in the business press. She is a regular guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN and Fox Business, as well as national radio and other business news outlets.

In addition to her role with Stifel, Dr. Piegza is an instructor at the Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS), a member of the Chicago Federal Reserve Advisory Committee, SIFMA’s Economic Advisory Roundtable Chair, and a well-respected author. She has published numerous academic papers in journals such as the Harvard Business Review and in textbooks from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Piegza is a member of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE), American Economic Association (AEA), the Economic Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of New York. Dr. Piegza was also named a 2019 Women of Influence by the Chicago Business Journal. She holds two degrees from Northwestern University in political science and economics and earned her Ph.D. in economics from the City University of New York.

Dr. Piegza volunteers hosting quarterly regional events for the Stifel’s Women’s Initiate Network (WIN) and is also a volunteer court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected children (CASA). A native of Chicago, she is based in Stifel’s downtown Chicago office, and resides with her husband and two small children in Wisconsin.

Marisa Reynolds
SVP, Fintech & Vendor Relations, Genesys Technology Group

Marisa Reynolds presently serves as the Senior Vice President of Fintech and Vendor Relations at Genesys Technology Group, located in Norcross, Georgia. Her primary responsibility in this position is to spearhead the company's endeavors in guiding financial institutions and their teams through vital technology decisions and fostering Fintech collaborations. With a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in the banking sector, Marisa has a proven track record of providing invaluable support to banks and their teams in making strategic technology choices. Throughout her career, Marisa has served on several boards and committees, including GACHA, Payments First, National JHA CIF 20/20 Board of Directors and Focus Groups, JHA CIF 20/20 Gulf State Users Group Board, GBA Operations/Technology Committee, CBA Innovation Committee, ESP Technology Committee, Safe Systems Advisory Committee, Church Committees, and STGPB organization.

Julie Thurlow
President & CEO, Reading Cooperative Bank
2023-2024 ABA Chair

Julieann M. Thurlow is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Reading Cooperative Bank and is responsible for its strategic direction and management.

Julieann serves as Chair on the Board for the American Bankers Association. She is the immediate Past-Chair of ABA’s Core Platforms Council; and currently serves as a member of the Government Relations Administrative Committee and Membership Council.

Julie is a founding member of Alloy Labs, a consortium of banks nationally formed to innovate in the banking space and is a Director of Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (ACBB). Locally, Julieann serves on the MA Fintech Hub and is a Board and Executive Committee member of the Lawrence Partnership, the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation and the Greater Lawrence Community Health Center.

American Banker Magazine has repeatedly named Julieann to its list of the Top 25 Women to Watch in Banking and the Commonwealth Institute has named Reading Cooperative Bank a Top 100 Women-Led Business for the past six years running.

In addition to an MBA from the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University, Julieann completed advanced studies at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Harvard Business School’s Division of Continuing Education, and the CEO Leadership Lab at Wharton’s Aresty Institute for Executive Education. She is a proud member of the first cohort of Lawrence Leads, a cross-sectoral leadership program focused on civic engagement and social responsibility taught at Harvard Business School.

Reid Tingle
President & CEO, Bank of Ocean City 
ICBA Federal Delegate – Maryland

Reid Tingle is President and CEO of Bank of Ocean City and serves on its board of directors.

Prior to joining Bank of Ocean City, Mr. Tingle spent 5 years with Atlantic Bank as a Business Development Officer, along with a host of other titles.

Before being named President and CEO in August 2015, Reid was an EVP at Bank of Ocean City, promoting community bank standards and making financial lives better for the consumers and small businesses that he, and the bank, serve and support.

Mr. Tingle is actively involved in the community.  His current roles include ICBA Maryland Delegate to the Federal Delegate Board, President and Board member of Diakonia, Inc., Board member-Maryland Bankers Association and Board member and former Chairman-Maryland Bank Services, Inc.  Past participation included Board member and Secretary-Ocean City Development Corporation and past President and former Board member-Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation.

Mr. Tingle holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from East Carolina University.

Reid believes in the importance of supporting the community and providing outstanding service, which is a cornerstone of his business. His office is located at the 59^th Street office of Bank of Ocean City, 5900 Coastal Highway Ocean City, MD.

Litz Van Dyke
CEO, Carter Bank
2023-2024 VBA Chair

Mr. Litz Van Dyke has been Chief Executive Officer of Carter Bank & Trust since 2017 and Chief Executive Officer of Carter Bankshares, Inc. since 2022. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2017.

Prior to joining Carter Bank & Trust in 2016, Mr. Van Dyke was a Practice Manager for CCG Catalyst Consulting Group based in Phoenix, Arizona, assisting banks with strategic advisory services.

He served as Chief Operating Officer for StellarOne Corporation from 2008 to 2012.

Mr. Van Dyke served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FNB Corporation and as President and Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank, both in Christiansburg, Virginia.

From February 1999 to December 2002, he served as Executive Vice President of FNB Corporation and First National Bank, and served as Senior Vice President/Commercial Loans of First National Bank prior to February 1999.

Mr. Van Dyke is a 1986 graduate of Hampden-Sydney (Cum Laude with a BA in Economics), Stonier Graduate School of Banking and The VBA School of Bank Management.

Bruce Whitehurst
President & CEO, Virginia Bankers Association

Following a 10-year career in retail and commercial banking, Bruce joined the Virginia  Bankers Association in 1993, its 100th anniversary year. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the association since 2007 and was previously executive vice president.

While at the VBA, Bruce has worked with member banks in a variety of areas, to include government relations, education and training, financial literacy, and partnering with banks in a number of innovative ways to help them enter new lines of business. He also speaks about and on behalf of the industry on a regular basis.

As a banking industry advocate, Bruce is active at the national level. He served on the American Bankers Association’s Regulatory Reform Task Force during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and served as an ABA Board member and chairman of the Alliance of State Bankers Associations in 2012-2013. He has also served on several other committees and councils at the national level.

Committed to serving his community, Bruce is a director of and has chaired United Methodist Family Services in Richmond, VA and the Virginia Council on Economic Education.

Bruce received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William & Mary, his MBA from the University of Richmond and is a graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management.

Seth Winter
Partner, Troutman Pepper

Seth represents publicly traded companies and financial institutions, including banks and bank holding companies, nonbank lenders, and other fintech and financial services companies, on regulatory, compliance, strategic, corporate law, securities law, and disclosure matters. He regularly represents financial institutions in mergers and acquisitions, including bank mergers and acquisitions of nonbank institutions. State and nationally chartered community banks, and their boards of directors and executive officers, rely on him to handle a variety of regulatory, compliance, and corporate governance issues; Seth regularly advises boards of directors on legal issues and fiduciary duties in the context of complex strategic transactions. He also represents financial institutions in connection with applications to federal and state regulatory agencies, including applications related to organic and M&A growth, new lines of business, and entry into new geographic markets. Seth has significant experience advising clients on periodic and current public disclosure obligations, corporate governance issues, annual and special meetings of shareholders, securities exchange listing and compliance issues, and equity and debt offerings.