B. Scot Lenoir
Chief Executive Officer, Evolve Bancorp, Inc
Before founding Evolve Bank & Trust in 2004, Mr. Lenoir climbed his way to becoming Chief Executive Officer and President for First Mercantile Trust Company (FMTC), a financial institution that exceeded $3 billion in assets. He later orchestrated the sell of FMTC to a publicly traded company. After selling in 2000, Mr. Lenoir began to build the foundations and raise the initial capital for Evolve Bancorp, Inc., which became the Memphis-based holding company for Evolve Bank & Trust. Mr. Lenoir is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Evolve Bancorp, Inc. While also serving as chairman of Evolve Bank & Trust, Mr. Lenoir has overseen an increase in net income of 279% over the last five years (2014-2019) while also being voted Top Workplace by The Commercial Appeal. Mr. Lenoir is a graduate of the University of Memphis.
Al Bright
Known as a dedicated and hard-working attorney at Bass, Berry & Sims, Mr. Bright provides practical solutions and efficient representation to companies across the spectrum. Balancing his focus on transactional corporate matters, Mr. Bright also has experience in managing commercial litigation for a variety of clients. Mr. Bright has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for his experience in Commercial Transactions/UCC Law. Previously he was recognized as a Rising Star for business and corporate law by Mid-South Super Lawyers. Mr. Bright earned his B.B.A from the University of Memphis and his law degree from the University of Tennessee.
Donald B. Clanton
Mr. Clanton has more than 40 years of experience in the securities industry and formerly served as President of Evolve Bank & Trust’s SBA Lending Division. In 2017, he retired as the Chief Operating Officer for Duncan-Williams, prior to which he was the firm’s Executive Vice President of Debt Capital Markets. Before joining Duncan-Williams, Mr. Clanton was President of Commerce Investment Corporation, a subsidiary of National Bank of Commerce. Previous management positions include head of Union Planters Investment Bankers Group, which under Mr. Clanton’s leadership, grew into one of the Southeast’s leading brokerage and investment banks. Mr. Clanton has served as President of the Memphis Investment Bankers Association, was a member of FINRA’s Business Conduct Board, and is currently active in the Bond Dealers of America. He is a proud graduate of Mississippi State University.
Lewis E. Holland
Mr. Holland currently serves as a director of Raymond James Financial Products Group, a leading provider of interest rate swaps and related derivatives, and of USI Alliance, which assists the senior community through commercial banks. Mr. Holland’s professional experience includes serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Henry Turley Company, President of the financial enterprise businesses for National Commerce Financial Corporation, and serving as a board member of Buckeye Technologies. Mr. Holland has been active in numerous professional and civic organizations around Memphis. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, banking and finance from Mississippi State University, and is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania for National Commerce Financial Corporation, and serving as a board member of Buckeye Technologies. Mr. Holland has been active in numerous professional and civic organizations around Memphis. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, banking and finance from Mississippi State University, and is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.
Lon Magness
As current principal of Reliant Investment Management, LLC, Mr. Magness’ responsibilities include portfolio management, investment strategy, regulatory compliance and client service. Prior to joining Reliant, Mr. Magness served as President of a bank-affiliated registered investment advisory firm and regulated the portfolio and funds management division of a $20 billion regional banking and financial services company. He is a graduate of Tulane University and has a graduate degree in bank management from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
John T. Pitts Jr.
Mr. Pitts began his career in commercial real estate as a sales executive for Ladd’s Commercial Real Estate Investors and First Union Properties. He served as Executive Vice President of National Bank of Commerce Capital Markets group, where he specialized in institutional fixed income sales. In 2005, Mr. Pitts along with the Pitts family co-founded and continue to fund Youth Dimensions, Inc., an accredited school and 48-bed residential facility for adolescent boys in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis.
W. Scott Stafford
President and Chief Executive Officer, Evolve Bank & Trust
Under Mr. Stafford’s leadership, Evolve has been listed on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies, been named a Top Workplace USA, and in 2015, Mr. Stafford was named CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business Magazine. His philanthropic endeavors include serving as Board Chairman of Neighborhood Christian Center, Board Member at Presbyterian Day School, officer at Second Presbyterian Church, and he is a Board Member and Treasurer of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Mr. Stafford received a Fintech Revolution: Transformative Financial Services and Strategies certification from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Degree at the University of Alabama.
Stephen Valentine
Mr. Valentine serves as director of Evolve Bancorp, Inc, formed in 2004 as the Memphis-based holding company for Evolve Bank & Trust. He also provides board-level and executive consulting services to public and private companies primarily in the distribution, consumer and technology industries. Previously, Mr. Valentine was an executive with IBM and a business consultant to Fortune 100 companies.
He served as Senior Vice President, business development, at AutoZone, spearheading the firm’s international expansion efforts, and as its chief information officer. He has been a consultant to the Department of the Navy.
Monica Wharton
Ms. Wharton has an extensive track record of achievement and leadership excellence serving as a senior health care executive since 2008. She is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, Memphis, TN.
Ms. Wharton earned her Juris Doctor from the William and Mary School of Law and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hampton University. She is active in community and professional organizations, serving as board chair for the American Heart Association. Ms.Wharton also serves on the boards of Youth Villages, the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis, and the University of Memphis Foundation.
