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In 1999, Rick Saunders founded First Reliance Bank in Florence, South Carolina. Mr. Saunders currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and sits on the Board of Directors for First Reliance Bank and First Reliance Bancshares.
Previously, Mr. Saunders was a Senior Vice President and City Executive of Florence for Pee Dee State Bank, where he was a member of the Senior Loan Committee and served on the Board of Directors of Pee Dee State Bank and Pee Dee Bancshares. Following a merger with Centura Bank, he served as a Senior Market Executive.
F. Justin Strickland joined First Reliance Bank as President in January 2021. He oversees the bank’s operations and growth as it continues expanding its footprint throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.
Mr. Strickland has worked in the South Carolina banking industry since 1985. Prior to joining First Reliance, he held executive positions at large regional banks for over 35 years, including Carolina First and Southern First.
Mr. Strickland is married and resides in West Columbia, South Carolina.
Robert Haile joined First Reliance Bank in November 2020 as Chief Financial Officer, SEVP, and is responsible for the bank’s financial and investment management and accounting. With more than 20 years in financial services, he previously served as Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer for both Carolina Financial Corp and CresCom Bank and as the Controller for Crescent Bank, predecessor to CresCom.
Brook Moore joined the bank in July 2020 and was named Chief Credit Officer, SEVP, in January 2021. Mr. Moore is responsible for the management and oversight of the bank’s credit administration function including loan portfolio risk management, governance of credit underwriting and approval processes, and coordination of regulatory examinations and audits. Bringing over two decades of banking experience to the team, Mr. Moore has demonstrated a history of success in commercial loan production, credit administration, and portfolio management. He has held various banking roles, including Market President, Commercial Banking Executive, Chief Lending Officer, and Senior Credit Administrator.
Mr. Moore has been active in his church and community and has served as a Director for the Ben Lippen School, Congaree Land Trust, and Columbia East Rotary. Additionally, he volunteers as a youth coach and scout leader.
Chuck Stuart was named President of First Reliance Mortgage in December 2020. In this role, he is responsible for the direction and oversight of all aspects of mortgage, as well as the strategic growth of First Reliance Mortgage. He provides leadership for the origination, delivery, and administration of quality first mortgage products and services consistent with the bank’s brand of delivering exceptional customer service. His leadership role has continued to expand with the growth of the bank’s mortgage division that serves both direct customers of First Reliance Bank and helps other mortgage companies and community banks serve their customers through First Reliance Bank Correspondent Mortgage Services.
Mr. Stuart joined First Reliance Bank in 2015 as Executive Vice-President of Mortgage Banking. Before joining First Reliance Bank, Mr. Stuart spent fourteen years as Senior Vice-President of Residential Lending at a large SC-based community bank, where he was responsible for residential lending activities across all channels and oversaw the capital markets and sales in the secondary markets. Mr. Stuart has worked in the mortgage banking industry in South Carolina since 1994.
He has a passion for travel and is an avid boater and enjoys shrimping. He and his wife reside in Mount Pleasant.
Mr. Groom was named Executive Vice-President of Compliance and Risk Management in December 2020. His primary responsibilities are to oversee the bank’s compliance programs, audits, and examinations. He joined First Reliance Bank in April 2001 as a credit analyst and spent several years as a business banker. Groom transitioned to oversee compliance and audits in 2008.
Mr. Groom is active in his church and, over the years, has served on various committees and boards of community/service organizations.
Ben Brazell is the Chief Experience Officer and Head of Retail Banking, SEVP. He leads retail banking, bank operations, and customer experience and manages the bank’s efficiency initiatives. Mr. Brazell has an extensive banking and process management background. He has held numerous sales management and executive leadership positions and has worked in the banking industry since 1985.
Keith Rainwater is the Chief Accounting Officer, EVP, overseeing the accounting operations and reporting functions of First Reliance Bank. Mr. Rainwater, a Certified Public Accountant (inactive), brings more than 25 years of banking experience and an extensive accounting background.
Mr. Rainwater previously was the Chief Accounting Officer of FB Financial Corporation and FirstBank in Nashville, Tennessee from March 2021 to March 2023. Before FirstBank, he served as Executive Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer for South State Corporation and South State Bank for approximately 13 years in Columbia, South Carolina.
Married to his wife for 34 years, Mr. Rainwater has two children and four grandchildren. He enjoys playing golf, pickle ball, and spending time in Blowing Rock NC.
Leslie Chaplin joined First Reliance Bank in March 2021 as the Director of Human Resources, EVP. Ms. Chaplin oversees human resource initiatives across the bank’s footprint, including managing recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, training, payroll, and compliance. She has 25 years of experience providing human resource management in the financial industry and is well-versed in employee relations, training, and benefits administration.
Ms. Chaplin enjoys spending time with her husband, two grandchildren, and her pets.
Mr. Lindley is the Director of Operations, EVP, overseeing deposit operations, loan operations, and core systems administration. He also leads digital banking efforts creating and implementing process improvements to drive operational efficiency. Mr. Lindley has over 25 years of banking experience with a proven history in developing and executing strategy, implementing efficiency improvements, and inspiring high performance in many environments.
Mr. Lindley is active in the community, having served as President of the Laurens Rotary Club, a Board Member of the Laurens YMCA Board, Vice Chairman of Straight Street Teen Center and Treasurer of RMA, Upstate Chapter.
Robert Mayhue, Information Technology, EVP, is responsible for the management, strategy, and execution of IT infrastructure along with the intersection of IT and security compliance. With more than 25 years of comprehensive expertise, He supports the bank by implementing programs and strategies, streamlining bank costs, and optimizing operational efficiency.
Dr. Lusk was one of the original organizers of First Reliance Bank and has served as a Director of First Reliance Bank since August 1999 and as Chairman of the Audit Committee. He is the third board Chairman over the banks twenty-one year history. Dr. Lusk is employed by McLeod Physician’s Associates since February 1996. Dr. Lusk became a partner of Adams, O’Dell, Davidson, & Lusk OB/GYN PC from July 1993 until February 1996. He was appointed to the position of Chief Medical Officer for both McLeod Health and the McLeod Healthcare Network (CIN) in November 2018, where he supervises administrative staff of Medical Services as well as hospital personnel under the direction of departmental managers with all seven of the McLeod Health hospitals. He is involved in the Quality Operations and Credentials committees for McLeod Regional Medical Center (MRMC), and has served as Chair of the Medial Staff Executive Committee. He leads the McLeod Physicians Leadership Academy, CEO Roundtable and the Community Board for McLeod Regional Medical Center. He continues to serve patients at McLeod GYN Specialists. Dr. Lusk is a native of Greenville, SC and completed his Bachelor Science degree in Biology at The Citadel graduating with gold stars. After receiving his medical degree from the Medical University of SC, Dr. Lusk trained as a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Keesler US Air Force Regional Medical Center. Dr. Lusk attended The Harvard Business School, receiving a Certificate in Managing Healthcare Delivery.
In 1999, Rick Saunders founded First Reliance Bank in Florence, South Carolina. Mr. Saunders currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and sits on the Board of Directors for First Reliance Bank and First Reliance Bancshares.
Previously, Mr. Saunders was a Senior Vice President and City Executive of Florence for Pee Dee State Bank, where he was a member of the Senior Loan Committee and served on the Board of Directors of Pee Dee State Bank and Pee Dee Bancshares. Following a merger with Centura Bank, he served as a Senior Market Executive.
Robby Hill is CEO/President of HillSouth, a privately-held technology consulting firm, started in 1999. He has more than 20 years of business experience in the information technology arena which is a fast changing area in the banking industry. Hill brings strength and knowledge in delivery of digital and virtual banking services and in the cyber security space.
John M. Jebaily has been extensively involved in the Florence community since childhood, as well as being a Real Estate Broker since 1977. John is the Owner and Broker in Charge of Jebaily Properties, Inc., a full-service Real Estate Company, here in Florence, SC. John has held many positions throughout the years, President of the Florence Board of Realtors, City of Florence Planning Commission, Florence County Economic Development Authority, Chairman, City of Florence Parks Commission. Hope Health; Board of Directors. In addition, the readers of the Morning News recently voted and named John as the Best Real Estate Broker in the Pee Dee for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. In addition, John is a founder and director of First Reliance Bank.
James (Jay) R. Lingle, Jr. is a licensed CPA and holds insurance licenses to sell property and casualty insurance as well as life and health in South Carolina. In addition, he has multiple securities licenses. He is currently the founder, President, and CEO of iFinancial Holdings, Inc., which provides financial and retirement planning, property and casualty and life and health insurance. Lingle graduated from Clemson University with a BS, in Accounting.
Julius (Cass) G. Parris entered the graphics and brand management industry in 1970 with Pittsburgh-based Matthews International. Cass and two longtime associates began their own graphics business in 2003. They sold Focus Imaging of Atlanta, GA, to Southern Graphics Systems in 2009. SGS is a world leader in brand management and graphic solutions for consumer products companies. Cass continued to manage large national clients for SGS through 2019, at which time he retired with 49 years in the business. He continues with community service, his many hobbies, travel, and spending time with family.
The Honorable Senator Mike Reichenbach was elected as South Carolina State Senator in 2022. He is Owner and President of three Automotive Dealerships in South Carolina; Mike Reichenbach Ford Lincoln, Mike Reichenbach Volkswagen of Florence, and Mike Reichenbach Chevrolet. He earned an academic scholarship to Bowling Green State University’s Honors Program majoring in Accounting. After college, he worked for two Fortune 500 Companies, State Farm Insurance and Owens Corning. In 1996, earned his MBA from the University of Michigan – Ross School of Business. In 2011, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce awarded him as “Businessperson of the Year” and he was voted Florence’s First “Dancing with the Florence Stars” Winner. He was appointed as a member of the inaugural Board of the Francis Marion University – School of Business, Center for Entrepreneurship and he was named a Charter Member of the Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Entrepreneurial Forum. Reichenbach currently serves on the following Boards of Directors: Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce – Chairman; McLeod Health Foundation – Vice Chairman; Coastal Carolina Hospital – Vice Chairman; Florence-Darlington Technical College Foundation; Florence School District 1: Southside Middle School Advisory Council; Francis Marion University School of Business Advisory Board. More recently, Reichenbach was nominated and selected for the Club for Growth Foundation Fellowship Class of 2021, Leadership Florence Class of 2020, Leadership South Carolina Class of 2020, Liberty Fellowship Class of 2019 (an Aspen Global Leadership Network Fellowship) and The Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative Class of 2018. He is active in the community and in 2019, successfully launched a program called “Helping Florence Work”.
Mr. Paul Saunders served as Vice President of Pee Dee State Bank from October 1987 until March 1998, when Centura Bank acquired it through a merger. He then served as a Senior Consumer and Financial Sales Officer at Centura Bank in Florence, South Carolina, until November 1998. Following this tenure, he began organizing First Reliance Bank, where he currently serves as Executive Vice President and Senior Retail Banking Officer.
As a lifelong resident of Florence, South Carolina, he has been actively involved in the community by serving on various boards, including the Florence Jaycees, Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee, Florence Family YMCA, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and the Florence Area Chapters of the American Red Cross, Palmetto Civitan, and the United Way.
William Jack McElveen, Jr. (Jack) began his banking career in the financial services industry with Banker Trust of SC/NCNB. During his career, Jack has served in various credit administration roles with increased levels of responsibility. The last was Chief Credit Officer, EVP, of Horry County State Bank, where he was responsible for management and oversight of the bank’s Credit Administration function. Upon his retirement from First Reliance Bank, Jack was responsible for managing and overseeing the bank’s loan portfolio, overseeing all credit administration functions, and providing direct supervision and accountability for Credit Administration, Loan Operations, Special Assets, and Loss Mitigation & Recovery. Jack is a Clemson University graduate, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management.
Rick has extensive experience working with banks, public and private companies, non-profits, and higher educational institutions to establish or enhance strategic plans, navigate industry change, and accelerate execution. He has also assisted clients with acquisitions, major investments, capital structure decisions, and succession strategies. Prior to consulting, Rick served as Commercial Executive, State President, Division Chief Risk Officer, and Division President for a top US bank. He was directly responsible for a $3 billion P&L, 2.5 million customers, 2,000+ branches/ATMs, and more than 7,000 employees. In addition to leading several highly successful businesses, Rick has been instrumental in company-transforming initiatives, such as merger integration, customer segmentation, talent management, and business redesign efforts. Rick earned a B.S. in Business from Appalachian State University, an M.B.A. from Georgia Tech, and is a graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill Executive Leadership program. He is an active member in the community and has served in roles with the S.C. Bankers Association (Chair), N.C. Bankers Association Board of Directors, Charleston Economic Leadership Council (Chair), Clemson University Board of Visitors, NC CEO Council, and the Kennedy Center National Symphony Orchestra.
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