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Lenders

Chase Todd

Market Area

My market area is Oconee County, with a concentration in Walhalla and Westminster.

I will focus primarily on Commercial Lending and Deposits Relationships but will also handle some mortgage lending as well.

What is your niche or expertise?

My banking career began in 2012 as a Teller/FSR.  I have worked in several positions since that time, including Teller Coordinator, Universal Banker, and Branch Manager.  In 2018 I moved into a Mortgage Lending role and have enjoyed that for many years.

Banking Experience  

As a Business Development Officer for Community First Bank, I will utilize both my deposit and retail knowledge, along with my lending skills to assist both commercial and residential customers, whether the needs are loan or deposit related.  My career has been in customer service and sales since my very first job, and I have always strived to put the customer first; to make their experience top notch.  My goal is to focus on customer needs and ensure those are always met

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

I am a part of and involved in our community, and served on the Board for the Seneca Rotary Club for three years where I was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. I recently joined the Sertoma Club of Seneca and am looking forward to helping serve our community with this wonderful organization.

Categories
Lenders

Evan Wunder

Market Area

Greenville-Spartanburg Metropolitan Areas

What is your niche or expertise?

Serving Commercial, small business, and construction clients

Certifications and Education  

A graduate of Appalachian State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in business management

Accredited Banking Professional

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Greenville Chamber active member

Fly fishing, Birdwatching, running

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Lenders

Michelle Smith

Market Area

Seneca

What is your niche or expertise?

Consumer loans/vehicle, Home Equity Loans, Boats, Personal Loans

Banking Experience  

I began my banking career as a teller for Community First Bank at the Seneca South location in 2016. Shortly afterward, I was promoted to Customer Service Representative there. I worked with customers
in that role until 2023 when I was promoted to Branch Manager. I am an Oconee County native and have spent my entire life in this area. My record of customer service has allowed me to not only serve
our customers but to also help me advance my career.

Skills, Accomplishments, and Awards

Consumer Lending School – 2023 Certification, SCBA

Recognized for Number 1 rank in Cross Sales Execution

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Member of Off the Clock with the city of Seneca. Loves to spend time with my family including my grandson. Enjoys trips to the beach and other warm-weather outdoor activities.

“They don’t make you what you are, you are who you choose to be”

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Lenders

Tom Owens

Market Area

Within a day’s drive of the bank (SC, NC, TN, VA, GA and N.FL)

What is your niche or expertise?

SBA Lending

Banking Experience  

My 27 years in banking have been primarily in Government
Guaranteed Lending (SBA and USDA). I began my career as a Business Development Officer, and I also have experience in Secondary Market lending. For the past eight years I have led SBA Sales Teams for national lenders 5/3 Bank and First Horizon.

Certifications and Education  

BBA, Ohio University – Finance and Management
NAGGL Training
Omega Credit Training
Professional Golfers Association of America – Former Member

Categories
Lenders

Heather McDonald

Market Area

Franklin, NC

What is your niche or expertise?

Banking Experience  

Certifications and Education  

Skills, Accomplishments, and Awards

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Categories
Lenders

Jessica Starks

Market Area

Seneca, Clemson, Pendleton, Central

What is your niche or expertise?

Consumer Lending (Credit Cards, Cars, Line of Credits, etc)

Banking Experience  

I joined the Community First Bank team in 2016 as a Float Customer Specialist in the Anderson SC market. My career in banking spans more than ten years, and I have recently accepted a promotion to Branch Manager in Seneca, South Carolina.

Certifications and Education  

Studies in Accounting and Business Management
Notary Public for SC

Skills, Accomplishments, and Awards

Presidents Award at Wells Fargo for highest teller referrals in the district.

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Member of BNI Golden Corner in Seneca SC, active member at Powerhouse Christian Church in Anderson SC
Hobbies are singing, hiking, crafting, and making memories with family and friends. I enjoy building long lasting relationships with others.

“Your success will always be measured by the quality of service you render.” – Earl Nightingale

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Chiefs

Stuart L. Hester

Market Area

Charlotte/Dallas, NC

What is your niche or expertise?

Commercial Clients

Banking Experience  

32 years of Banking experience including Sales Finance, Retail Banking, Credit Loan Administration and Commercial Banking

Certifications and Education  

Graduate of Elon College, Bachelor of Science Degree, Business Administration, 1989

Skills, Accomplishments, and Awards

Board member of Carolina Business Capital specializing in SBA 504 Loan funding. Have served on several non-profit organization boards with responsibilities of financial governance. Have successfully assembled top performing small business and commercial lending teams for community and large Banks in both North and South Carolina.

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Military History, family genealogy, travel, exercise, and being a proud father of three!

Categories
Lenders

M. Scott Shires

Market Area

Charlotte, North Carolina and the surrounding region

What is your niche or expertise?

My primary focus is on operating companies and my general niche is in SBA 504 and SBA7A loans. I also work with many real estate investors, focusing on whether the properties and investments make sense for the customer’s portfolio. I help clients understand the risks. I also work with construction loan clients. These loans can be very difficult, and clients really need someone to help them through that
process. My long time experience in banking has covered the housing crisis, 9/11, and now Covid, and I am prepared to help clients and their expectations.

Banking Experience

I have almost 30 years of banking experience in retail and commercial banking in the Carolinas. My experience includes working with everything from start-ups to seasoned operating companies utilizing
SBA504 and 7a programs along with construction lending and treasury services. Prior to joining Community First Bank in 2017, I was Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager for six years with New Dominion Bank. I am the Commercial Team Leader for the Charlotte, NC region, where I will continue to assist clients and support and oversee commercial development.

Certifications and Education

Radford University – B.S. in Finance.

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

My wife and I are members of the South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church. I have enjoyed coaching softball and basketball over the years, and I have been a member of the Chinese Chamber for past six years.

Scott enjoys spending quality time creating memories with his wife Julie and three daughters now that they are older.

“People don’t care how much you know, they only want to know how much you care” – Theodore Roosevelt

Categories
Board Chair

William M. Brown

Categories
Lenders

Timothy W. Hawks

Market Area

Northeast GA & Upstate SC

What is your niche or expertise?

Primarily focused on residential construction, along with purchases and refinances of primary and secondary homes

Banking Experience

I started my banking career in 1990 as an Assistant Branch Manager and consumer lender. Over the last 20 + years I have focused on residential and commercial lending. Currently, I focus primarily on residential construction.

Certifications and Education

Graduate of Georgia Banking School at the University of Georgia in 2003

Skills, Accomplishments, and Awards

During the upheaval of the pandemic in 2020, I helped clients with over $8 million in loans.

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

I enjoy traveling, both locally and internationally. But even more than that, I enjoy spending my free time with my family – four children and three grandchildren. I attend as many of the grandchildren’s activities as I can – I’m their biggest fan.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” -Steve Jobs

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