As an internationally recognized leader in the field of ethical banking and outspoken advocate for values-based businesses, Ken has always had a unique approach to banking and believes that in addition to making a profit, finance can be a force for good. Ken founded Florida Choice Bank in 1999, grew it to over $400 million in assets by 2006 before selling it to Alabama National Bankcorp. Three years later, Ken was able to put this approach into action with the founding of First GREEN Bank – the very first bank in the eastern United States with an environmental and social mission. Under Ken’s leadership, First GREEN Bank expanded across Florida and his values-based business model demonstrated that financial excellence could occur without ethical compromise. Now, with a continued dedication to reverse the climate crisis, Ken is expanding on First GREEN Bank’s legacy with his newest bank, Climate First Bank the nation’s first climate-focused community bank.
Michele Glorie has spent her entire career in the Florida banking industry. Her first experience was with a start-up bank in St. Lucie County, Port St. Lucie National Bank. She was responsible for the accounting operations and helped grow the bank to $150 million in assets until it was sold in 1997. Later she joined Enterprise Bank of Florida in North Palm Beach where she was the CFO, responsible for all accounting and backroom operations. Most recently, Michele was with Harbor Community Bank where she was the Director of Operations. She was a key management member that helped grow the bank from $50 million in assets in 2011 to $2.2 billion in assets with over 50 branches throughout the State of Florida. She was responsible for nine data conversions as a result of the eight bank acquisitions Harbor transacted during seven years. Harbor was sold to CenterState Bank in early 2018. Michele has lived in St. Lucie and Martin Counties since moving to Florida in 1977 with her family. She .......
Dominik Mjartan is President/CEO of Optus Bank located in Columbia SC, a U.S. Treasury certified CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and an MDI (FDIC designated Minority Depository Institution). He spent more than a decade as a senior executive officer at a community development bank, Southern Bancorp, most recently as the Executive Vice President of Southern Bancorp, Inc. (SBI), a holding company for Southern Bancorp Bank and CEO of an affiliated lending company Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP). He is past Chair of the CDFI Coalition and a current director of the Community Development Bankers Association, D.C.-based advocacy organizations.
Jared Meyers is a values-driven professional utilizing his time and resources to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions through Certified B Corporations (“B Corp”) and the Business for Good movement. He believes we can co-create a better and more resilient future by supporting organizations and people that seek a shared and equitable prosperity for all. He accomplishes this as a founder, investor, and/or lead executive of several carbon neutral B Corp businesses, which include Legacy Vacation Resorts (hotels), Salt Palm Development (real estate development), and Climate First Bank (banking). These B Corps operate in Florida, Colorado, Nevada, and New Jersey, serve over 300,000 customers annually, and regularly achieve some of the highest positive stakeholder impact in their respective industries (as evidenced by local, national, and international awards, and their verified B Corp scores). This past year, Jared was recognized as one of the top 100 Impact CEOs in the United States.
Nancy Wolf is a former human resources manager and corporate trainer for Mellon Bank and Sprint/Florida. Before her work in HR, Ms. Wolf worked in international public health in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, facilitating the delivery of health care to underserved areas. Her passion for philanthropy has led her to serve on a variety of charity, education, and civic boards, including the Orlando Museum of Art, Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando, University of Central Florida Town & Gown Council, and Ruth’s List Florida. Along with her husband, the founder, and president of Wendover Housing Partners, Ms. Wolf has supported the efforts of this company to become one of the premier affordable housing development companies in the Southeast committed to creating the highest quality housing opportunities in economically disadvantaged and socially diverse neighborhoods. Ms. Wolf is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and earned a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University.
Brock joined the board of Climate First Bank in February 2022 and later joined the board of its holding company, Climate First Bancorp, Inc. His prior banking experience includes service as Vice Chairman of the board of First Green Bancorp, Inc., another values-based community bank that was later acquired by Seacoast Bank. He has also served as counsel to the board of directors of Florida Capital Bank and has represented investors in fiduciary litigation against a national bank and led the unwinding of a Florida mortgage company during the financial crisis of 2008. Brock is veteran attorney with over 35 years’ experience. He is a member of the law firm of Brenna, Manna & Diamond PL and his law practice has included commercial litigation and serving as trustee involved in structuring and managing assets of high-net-worth families heavily invested in private equity, public securities, real estate, and debt. Fluent in German, Brock was appointed Honorary Consul of Germany in Orlando in 2010 and continues in that role serving German citizens and hosting events including an annual German street party. Brock is a private pilot of a Cirrus SR 22 which he flies for both business and pleasure. He resides in Orlando with his wife, Sarah and border collie, Ginny.
Edith “Edye” Haddock grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and attended the University of Tennessee where she majored in Business Administration. In 1994, Edye moved to Winter Park and established Murphy Properties where she has remained active with transactions in Florida and North Carolina. Edye’s career in real estate and community has many noteworthy highlights. Edye was a driving force and founding president of the 18 county Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors. She was honored by being named “Realtor of the Year” for establishing the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors. Edye was the second woman in the State of North Carolina to earn the prestigious CCIM designation. She was recognized as one of the top ten commercial brokers in Charlotte. In addition to her Central Florida real estate interests, Edye is an active volunteer community leader in organizations with missions and values that align with those of Climate First Bank.
A veteran finance and banking professional, Jose Camacho is currently Chairman and CEO of New World Bank, a boutique financial institution specializing in affordable housing, opportunity zones and providing financing and investment for global needs. He has vast experience implementing, monitoring and enforcing government affordable housing regulations and procedures, and will use this knowledge to further Climate First Bank’s affordable housing lending initiatives. Camacho first connected with LaRoe when he served as a Director of LaRoe’s first bank, Florida Choice Bank. Camacho has a Juris Doctorate as well as degrees in community development management and business administration.
Marilyn leads the Climate Finance Fund where she mobilizes capital across the U.S., China, and E.U. for climate solutions. She has worked across four continents in renewable and nuclear energy, and climate modeling and investment. Author of Sustainability at Work: careers that make a difference, Marilyn’s writing has been featured in outlets such as the Financial Times, The Boston Globe, and GreenBiz, where she serves as editor at large. Marilyn previously led the energy practice at Village Capital, modeled and forecasted energy solutions to climate change as a senior research fellow at Project Drawdown, and managed innovation projects at Orano and Framatome (formerly AREVA). She holds a Master’s Degree with distinction in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, magna cum laude, from Princeton University. She serves on multiple boards, including the U.S. EPA’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB).
Ford helms bank operations and, most importantly, builds Climate First Bank’s book of business. Ford has an excellent understanding of the Orlando market, having spent his entire banking career in Central Florida, and is looking to expand the bank’s presence in the market while also growing and expanding connections statewide. Before Climate First Bank, Ford was Senior Vice President and Commercial Banker III at Seacoast Bank and Senior Vice President and Wingman to the Chairman at First GREEN Bank. For his leadership within the local community, Ford was recognized by the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Awards in 2017.
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