BOARD OF DIRECTORS

C. Dale Lusk, M.D.
Board Chairman and Organizer

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.

F. R. (Rick) Saunders, Jr.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Rick Saunders began his banking profession in 1983 and progressively worked in various capacities. In recognition of his success and dedication, he was made a Vice President and Director of Pee Dee State Bank in 1990, serving in this capacity until March 1998. When Pee Dee State Bank merged with Centura Bank, Mr. Saunders was made the Senior Market Officer of Centura Bank in Florence, South Carolina, a position he retained until November of 1998. Mr. Saunders then resigned to organize First Reliance Bank.

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Robby Hill
Director

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
Organizer and Director

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 R. Lingle Jr.
Director

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
Director

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.

Mike Reichenbach
Director

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”.

Paul C. Saunders
Founder and Director

Mr. Paul Saunders served as a Vice President of Pee Dee State Bank from October 1987 until March 1998. In March 1998, Centura Bank acquired Pee Dee State Bank by merger. From the time of the merger until November 1998, Mr. Saunders served as Senior Consumer Officer and Financial Sales Officer in Florence, S.C. In 1998, he began organizing First Reliance Bank and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Sr. Retail Banking Officer. Mr. Saunders has also previously served on the following Board of Directors: Jaycee’s, Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee, Florence YMCA, American Red Cross, Pee Dee Civitan’s, United Way & Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Octavia Williams-Blake
Director

Octavia is a 1991 graduate of South Florence High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude in Public Affairs & History from Columbia College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She is currently Chief Human Resources Officer at McLeod Health in Florence, SC and previously worked there as Vice President, Workplace Health & Safety. Prior to joining McLeod in 2002, Octavia worked in Human Resource Management for Sony Electronics in Park Ridge, NJ and for Pepsi Bottling Group in Atlanta, GA. Octavia served 12 years on the Florence City Council. She was the first African American elected at large and the first female elected since 1953. She is a Liberty Fellow and graduate of Furman University's Diversity Institute. She is a former President of the South Carolina Municipal Association. Octavia and her husband, local attorney Charlie Blake, have two daughters, and are host parents for international students.

William Jack McElveen, Jr.
Director

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.