Ameris Bank Boosts Commercial Banking with Key New Hires in Southeast Markets

January 28, 2025 at 13:00 PM EST

Ameris Bank is announcing several recent new hires and appointments among its Commercial Banking team in high growth Southeast markets.

Tampa:

John Krusoe has joined Ameris as the new Tampa market president, reporting to Ameris Florida State President Emily Dawkins. Krusoe brings a wealth of senior leadership experience in corporate banking, capital markets and strategic planning and has provided advisory services to a range of financial, health care and commercial real estate companies. Previously, he held leadership and commercial banking roles at Mutual of Omaha Bank, BBVA Compass, RBC Bank, Spartacus Financial Advisors and AG Resource Management.

Orlando:

Andrew Hebert was hired as a senior commercial relationship manager supporting the Orlando market. Hebert has more than 25 years of experience helping companies succeed in Central Florida. He spent the last 12 years at SouthState Bank, most recently as a commercial relationship manager, and previously worked at Wells Fargo and Truist (predecessor banks) servicing and advising business clients in Orlando.

Charlotte:

Thomas McTier II recently joined Ameris Bank as a senior middle market relationship manager serving the North Carolina market, based in Charlotte. He will report to Julie Dargani, North Carolina market president. McTier had been a commercial lending division manager at United Community Bank and held previous roles in commercial banking at Regions, PNC and Liberty Bank.

William Brown joined Ameris as a commercial banker in Charlotte and will also report to Dargani. Brown spent the last eight years with Bank of America in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as a business banker. Brown will help expand the Ameris Commercial Banking platform, focused on health care and professional services companies.

Atlanta:

Era Kohli joined Ameris as senior business banker for the north Atlanta market. She was a business banking specialist at First Citizens Bank, and previously worked at Truist and BB&T. Kohli will report to Elizabeth Dobers, head of Business Banking.

William Wideman was hired as a senior business banker for the Gwinnett County market, also reporting to Dobers. Wideman joined Ameris from Synovus, where he served as a market manager. He previously worked for Bank of America and at Banc of America Investments.

In addition to the above new hires, Ameris is promoting two key leaders in Atlanta:

Chap Bennett has been promoted to managing director of Ameris Bank’s Homebuilder Division, reporting to Ameris Bank President Lawton Bassett. Bennett has more than 30 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, most recently serving as a senior credit officer at Ameris overseeing a billion-dollar business portfolio. He joined Ameris in 2001 and progressed through roles including loan decisioning, underwriting and portfolio risk management.

Scott Cleveland has been promoted to north Atlanta market president, reporting to Brian Parks, head of Wholesale Banking. In this role, Cleveland will oversee the implementation of strategic initiatives and drive growth within the Atlanta market. He joined Ameris Bank in 2020 as a commercial relationship manager and has more than 25 years of experience in commercial banking. He previously served in commercial banking and corporate business banking roles at Synovus and SunTrust (now Truist).

“Ameris continues to boost its Commercial team with talented, experienced leaders who have broad banking expertise and deep understanding of their respective local markets,” said Bassett. “This will be instrumental in building relationships, driving growth and enhancing our ability to serve businesses with tailored financial solutions.”

Through its Commercial Banking unit, Ameris Bank provides essential credit, financing, treasury and payment solutions to help companies manage their finances and growth plans.

Ameris has commercial bankers with expertise in the following industry specialties: agribusiness, attorneys and law firms, dentistry, education, health care, manufacturing, municipal, nonprofit, professional services, veterinary, and water and waste disposal. To learn more, please visit https://www.amerisbank.com/Commercial.

About Ameris Bank

Ameris Bank, a subsidiary of Ameris Bancorp (NYSE: ABCB), is a state-chartered bank headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Ameris operates 164 financial centers across the Southeast and serves consumer and business customers nationwide through select lending channels. Ameris manages $26.4 billion in assets as of Sept. 30, 2024, and provides a full range of traditional banking and lending products, treasury and cash management, insurance premium financing, and mortgage and refinancing services. Learn more about Ameris at amerisbank.com.