Gary Small Email & Phone Number

Premier Financial Corp. is the holding company for Premier Bank, an $8B+ community bank, focused on delivering a "community bank" experience in the areas of commercial, consumer, and residential mortgage banking. Premier Bank operates 74 locations across central and northeast Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

S&T Bank is a strong regional player in the western Pennsylvania market with over 50 locations offering a full compliment of financial services. Primary responsibilities include further development of Wealth Management, Retail Banking, and the Insurance business groups along with overall revenue growth for the organization.

Jackson Hewitt is the 2nd largest tax preparation firm in the U.S. serving 2.7M clients through a network of 6,000 company and franchise locations. Joined the firm as the COO of the company owned unit ($90M in revenue, 1,000 stores) and directed a major turnaround of the under-perfroming unit. Responsibilities evolved to include oversight of a significant portion of the franchise network, pricing strategy, the financial products group, and support units. Operating Committee role reporting directly to the CEO.

Responsible for jointly leading Huntington’s $30 billion regional banking business with individual responsibility for a $7 billion regional banking group (1,300 FTE) producing $400 million in revenue, and $100 million of net income. Reporting directly to the President/COO, the primary ’07 mission included the Sky Bank acquisition integration and positioning the organization for profitable growth.

Joined Sky in a newly created position leading the $12.5 billion regional banking group consisting of nine regions (330 branches, 2,650 FTE), producing $675 million in revenue and $170 million of net income. Management committee role reporting directly to the Chairman/CEO responsible for setting strategy and tactics, and effective plan execution.

Directed commercial banking conversion team through major acquisition integration process. Responsible for coordination of integration initiatives with multiple lines of business and support teams throughout organization. Began acquisition integration project as the operations integration coordinator responsible for directing 75-member team. Successful efforts led to similar role with corporate banking team, which was in need of leadership at mid-project. Met overall project timetable, achieved client retention objectives, and beat initial cost estimates.

Drove performance of branch franchise consisting of 200+ locations with $7.3 billion in deposits and 1,475 FTEs, producing $325 million in revenue and $76 million of net income. Simultaneously managed markets in Chicago, Indianapolis, Central Illinois, and Northern Indiana. Took control of operating units with history of slow growth, poor sales, and inefficient operations. Responsible for revenue and sales growth, rationalization and expansion of delivery network, talent improvement, customer service, and planning/execution of significant business expansion in Chicago.

Developed new business unit focused on national lease financing opportunities. Responsible for crafting of strategic approach and business development, including marketing, pricing, and all elements of risk management. Financed assets for transportation industry, machine/equipment, facilities, and auto lease securitizations. Built high quality $450 million portfolio.

Responsible for strategic planning and financial planning and analysis for multiple business units of National City Bank (Ohio). Led coordination and execution of financial aspects of merging five banks into single banking organization. Established “best practice” initiative resulting in $22 million of profit improvements. Significant benefits realized from adjustments in deposit pricing practices, improved FTE utilization, and the expanded use of a commercial sweep product.

M.B.A.

B.S., Accounting