Florida Banking August/September 2024

from the Kellogg School of Management. Outside of banking, Griffith is extremely involved in her community. She is the Board Chair for Directions for Living and an ambassador for the Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough Women’s Build. Additionally, she is an active member of the Florida Gulf Coast Association of Commercial Realtors, Commercial Real Estate for Women, and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Greater Englewood. She is a past president of both the Rotary Club of Englewood and the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce. WAUCHULA After 44 years with Crews Bank & Trust, Donna McKown, market president, retired at the end of May. Justin Fussell,

who served as market president in DeSoto County, will oversee banking services in both DeSoto and Hardee counties. McKown began her banking career in 1980 with Wauchula State Bank, the first of the Crews Bank & Trust legacy banks. She began her tenure

Amerant Bank named industry veteran Mike Nursey as EVP, Central Florida market president. Nursey will be responsible for the strategic execution of Amerant Bank’s growth strategy in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties as well as other key markets throughout

McKown (Right) Fussell (Left)

Nursey

as a proof operator, and quickly advanced to other positions including administrative and management roles. In 1990, she became an officer, and in 1997 was named executive vice president. She was appointed president in January 2018. During her career, McKown has touched every aspect of the business and was instrumental in growing and managing the branch network in the Heartland Counties. Her focus and passion have been the delivery of exceptional customer service and partnering with each member of the Crews Bank family to share the bank’s story and its purpose to build relationships that span generations. Fussell joined the bank as market president in August 2022, with experience in commercial lending, financial management and marketing. Fussell graduated from the University of Florida, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education and communication with a specialization in communications and leadership development, and minors in management, sales of agribusiness, and leadership.

Central Florida. Nursey will be based in Amerant’s new regional headquarters in Tampa and brings a wealth of experience, leadership and strategic vision to Amerant Bank, particularly in building and nurturing new client relationships. Nursey most recently served as North Florida market president and before that was managing director for Middle Market Florida at TD Bank. He led teams responsible for client acquisition and providing growth capital for companies with between $20 million and $1 billion in revenue. Also deeply committed to giving back to the local community, Nursey has been serving on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Florida since May 2018, the American Cancer Society-Tampa Bay Volunteer Leadership Board since April 2017, and as the Chair of the Athletics Committee on the University of Tampa Board of Trustees since August 2015. ENGLEWOOD

Karen Current has joined Crews Bank & Trust as residential loan originator in the Englewood area. In this position, she will be involved in producing a variety of residential loans, as well as generating and managing a portfolio of customer relationships. She brings more than 40

Rob Roberts, senior commercial banker, senior vice president, was named Crews Bank & Trust market president for Highlands county following the retirement of Donna McKown, Heartland Area market president. Roberts joined the bank in

Current

years of banking experience to the role. Originally from Hatboro, Penn., Current is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C., with a degree in business. She has lived in the Charlotte County area since 2001 and is heavily involved in the community. Current is a recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year and the President’s Award from the Englewood on the Gulf Women’s Council of Realtors. Additionally, she received Affiliate Member of the Year and Community Service Member of the Year from the Englewood Area Board of Realtors (EABOR). In addition to being involved in EABOR and the Women’s Council of Realtors, Current participates in the Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association, and serves on the boards of The Boys & Girls Club of Charlotte County and Kids Needs of

Roberts

May of 1996 after a 10-year career as a U.S. Army Officer and Cobra & Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot. Roberts continued to serve as an Army Reserve officer until his honorable discharge in 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also attended the Harvard Business School course on management and the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida. Born in Highlands county and raised in Wauchula, Roberts and his wife, Donna, have resided in Highlands county for 28 years, since his exodus from the Army. He has served the area since the opening of the Sebring branch in 2000.

WWW.FLORIDABANKERS.COM JULY 2024 — 25