On July 25, the North Carolina School of Banking proudly recognized its newest graduates as they walked the stage for commencement. This milestone marked the culmination of a rigorous multi-year program designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the financial services industry while preparing them for leadership roles in their banks and communities.
The graduates’ journey through the School of Banking included intensive coursework on topics ranging from credit analysis and risk management to leadership, strategy, and community banking. Along the way, they built lasting relationships with peers across the state—connections that will continue to strengthen North Carolina’s banking community for years to come.
- Justin C. Alford, Providence Bank
- Austin Arvon, Fidelity Bank
- Ken Ashby, Southern Bank & Trust Company
- Donielle Bacon, First Bank
- Jenna Beane, Edward Jones
- Jeff Brantley, Southern Bank & Trust Company
- Sharon Bunton, Taylorsville Savings Bank, SSB
- Brandy Christian, Hertford Savings Bank, SSB
- Brandy Christman, Carter Bank
- Jose R. Cruz, First Bank
- Linda Deaton, First Bank
- Theresa A. Emo, Benchmark Community Bank
- David Forrest, Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Amber Hardy, Coastal Credit Union
- Mary Hensley, Live Oak Banking Company
- Albion Ida, Atlantic Union Bank
- Jennifer Jones, North State Bank
- Christopher R. Killian, Southern Bank & Trust Company
- Irene Kyere, Southern First Bank
- Michelle Lempert, Centrant Community Capital
- Jennifer Levesque, First Citizens Bank
- LaQuan Lucas-Harris, First Bank
- Brenda Mash, Peoples Bank
- Channing McDowell, United Bank
- Erin H. Miller, TowneBank
- Lawrence R. Nicholson, TD Bank
- Logan Pinotti, TowneBank
- Kim Ratteerree, Peoples Bank
- Banely Rosado Rodriguez, First Carolina Bank
- Megan Rumery, Dogwood State Bank
- Tracy S. Seagle, First Bank
- Lauren Sergy, Park National Bank
- Bradley Strickland, Lumbee Guaranty Bank
- Soberina Traywick, M&F Bank
- Adam Turbyfill, People’s Bank
- Juan Carlos Villalobos, Southern First Bank
- Ryan Witte, M&F Bank
- Matthew Zacharias, Triad Business Bank
We congratulate the Class of 2025 for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to professional growth. Their accomplishments reflect both personal achievement and a shared investment in the future of North Carolina banking.
Author: sdbrownlow
Student of Design
