SPEAKERS - 59th Annual Convention

NIKITA PEARSON, BIO CONTINUED....

...to discuss the agency’s efforts to enhance diversity and promote financial inclusion. She serves on three White House Initiatives on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for (1) Hispanics, (2) Historically Black College and Universities, and (3) Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

With 25 years of financial services experience, Pearson has demonstrated a strong track record in initiating and leading change, driving results and innovating amid a rapidly evolving digital landscape. She joined the FDIC as an entry-level bank examiner and earned her commission to examine banks for safety and soundness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. She has held progressively more responsible roles covering bank supervision, information technology, budget, human resources, knowledge management, and internal controls.

Pearson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, where she graduated magna cum laude and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She also completed the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

JAMES L. “JIM” REBER - PRESIDENT & CEO OF ICBA SECURITIES

Jim Reber is President and CEO of ICBA Securities. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at bank investment seminars and workshops. Jim also writes a monthly investment column for Independent Banker magazine. He is a member of the Board of Regents at Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN, and served a term as Chairman. Jim is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst, and is a graduate of Christian Brothers University, where he served on the Board of Trustees as Chairman of the Finance Committee and University Treasurer.

REP. WILLIAM E. “BILL” SANDIFER, III - SC STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 2

He has served the people of Oconee County since 1994 and has earned a reputation as a dedicated conservative who shapes public policy focused on job creation and economic growth, high-quality education, efficient government, and strong families.

Sandifer was born on February 21, 1945 in Aiken, S.C. to the late Frances Harley Sandifer and the late and former two term mayor of Seneca William Edward Sandifer, Jr.  After his family moved to Seneca in 1959, he graduated from Seneca High School and earned a degree from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary....

SPEAKERS - 59th Annual Convention

REP. WILLIAM E. “BILL” SANDIFER, III - BIO CONTINUED...

Science. Following graduation, Sandifer moved back to Seneca where he began his career as owner and operator of Seneca Mortuary.

Sandifer currently serves as chairman of the SC House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee (LCI), one of six standing committees in the House. LCI is the only House committee that addresses business-related legislation. Sandifer has chaired LCI since 2008. He also serves as vice chairman of the Public Utility Review Committee and on the Review and Oversight Commission on the State Ports Authority. In addition, Sandifer was appointed to represent South Carolina at the Southern Legislative Conference where he was elected to chair the Energy and Environment Committee. He has also been selected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Southern States Energy Board, a 50 year-old organization supporting innovations in energy and environmental policy.  In both of these capacities, Sandifer is recognized as a leader in energy and environmental efforts.  He has spoken on many occasions on these subjects throughout the Southeastern US.  In doing so, he brings positive attention to his home state of South Carolina.

Sandifer is active in the Seneca community. He has served as chairman of the boards of Oconee Memorial Hospital, Fort Hill Natural Gas Authority and the Oconee United Way. He is a member of the Seneca Foothills Elks Lodge #2822. He served as chairman of the board of Seneca National Bank, as president of the Greater Seneca Chamber of Commerce, as master of the Seneca Masonic Lodge, and as worthy patron of the Seneca chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Sandifer also is a member of the American Legion Charles McGee Byrd Post 120.  In 1981, former South Carolina Governor James Edwards appointed Rep. Sandifer as his representative on the State Board of Funeral Service, which he chaired.

Sandifer served his country for 20 years in the S.C. Army National Guard, retiring as a major. He is married to the former Sandra Prater of Townville and is a proud father and grandfather.  A member of Trinity Baptist Church, Sandifer and his wife live in Seneca.

REP. JAY WEST - SC STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 7

Representative West was born and raised in Belton, SC until the age of 10. Raised by a single mother from the age of 10, he moved to Greenville, SC where he attended Wade Hampton High School. Following high school, Rep. West attended Erskine College. Most of his life has been spent in higher education, economic development, and business. He was honored to have received the Governor’s Award for Rural Leadership Development from the SC Department of Commerce in 2002, the Rotary Citizen of the Year for Abbeville County in 2000, and named SC Economic Ambassador for Economic Development in 2002. In 2012, Rep. West was elected to Belton City Council, and served as Mayor Pro Tempore from 2014 through 2016 when he was elected to the SC House of Representatives.