President & CEO @ Atlantic Coast Bank is a full-service financial institution serving the Florida and Georgia markets through branch locations and loan production offices. The bank has assets of over $800 million, and is a federally chartered and insured savings bank. Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is the holding company for the bank, and is publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker "ACFC"​. In December 2013, ACFC successfully raised $48 million in a secondary stock offering to recapitalize the bank and reengineer the balance sheet. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering to strengthen the Bank's capital position and support the Bank's growth initiatives. The Bank is currently exploring expansion alternatives in key markets throughout the southeastern U.S. From September 2013 to Present (2 years 4 months) Jacksonville, Florida AreaPresident & CEO @ Tower Bridge Capital ("TBC") is a privately held mezzanine debt and strategic advisory firm focused on emerging growth companies. The company successfully raised capital to fund equity and debt investments in clients experiencing rapid growth or pursuing strategic mergers, acquisitions, or leveraged recapitalization strategies. From 2011 to 2013 (2 years) Commercial Banking Executive @ Led Fifth Third Bank's wholesale banking efforts in key FLA markets. From 2006 to 2011 (5 years) SVP - Structured Finance @ From 1993 to 2006 (13 years)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Corporate Finance @ University of Notre DameHumanities and Social Sciences @ University of South Carolina-ColumbiaAncient & Classical Language and Literature @ Wake Forest University John Stephens is skilled in: Executive Management, Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance, Commercial Banking, Private Equity, Mezzanine, Sales Management, Strategic Leadership, Investments, Structured Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategy