MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of BayFirst is comprised of 13 individuals: George Apostolou, Derek S. Berset, Mark S. Berset, Dennis R. “Rep” DeLoach, III, Alexander Harris, Tarek Helal, Trifon Houvardas, Anthony N. Leo, Christos Politis, M.D., Anthony Saravanos, Bradly W. Spoor, Harold J. Winner, and Barbara Zipperian. Biographical information regarding each director is below.
Dennis R. DeLoach, Jr. retired from the Board of Directors, effective July 31, 2021.
BayFirst Directors
George Apostolou, age 70, founded the George Apostolou Construction Company in 1983. Since that time, it has built more than 200 commercial buildings, government services buildings, churches, office buildings, and retail centers. In 2009, he founded Global Ground Solutions, a sinkhole mitigation company performing services for several of the major engineering firms in West Central Florida. In addition to contracting, Mr. Apostolou has been involved in the development of many commercial projects and now owns numerous properties in the Tampa Bay area. He also serves on the Board of Directors of HCI Group, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed company. Mr. Apostolou joined the Board in 2013. We believe that Mr. Apostolou’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his executive leadership and management experience, public company Board experience, and financial expertise gained from the successful operations of his own businesses.
Derek S. Berset, age 44, is an owner of Comegys Insurance Agency, Inc., a family owned and operated retail insurance agency that has served the west coast of Florida for over 75 years. Mr. Berset is also the President of Franchise Alliance Network LLC, which provides franchises with accounting, insurance, bookkeeping and payroll services, and he serves as Vice President of SAN of Florida Inc., an insurance wholesaler to independent agencies within Florida. He is the Chairman of the Board for Arts Conservatory for Teens (ACT), a nonprofit organization that helps teens excel within the arts. Mr. Berset is a graduate of Florida State University. He joined the Board in 2020 and is the son of BayFirst director Mark S. Berset. We believe that Mr. Berset’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his management and financial experience.
Mark S. Berset, age 74, has served since 1987 as the Chief Executive Officer of Comegys Insurance, a family owned insurance agency located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mr. Berset is also the founder of Alpha Insurance Management, Satellite Agency Network of Tampa Bay, and Association Insurance Specialists. Mr. Berset also serves as a director of Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed company. He is a former director of United Insurance Holdings Corp., former Board member of Innovaro, Inc., a past Board member of North Star Bank Holding Company, Tampa, Florida, and past President and Board member of Bayfront Hospital Foundation in St. Petersburg, Florida. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from St. Ambrose University and an MBA from Georgia State University. Mr. Berset joined the Board in 2014 and is the father of BayFirst director Derek S. Berset. We believe that Mr. Berset’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his executive leadership and management experience, prior bank and public company Board experience, and financial expertise gained from the successful operations of his own businesses.
Dennis R. “Rep” DeLoach, III, age 46, is a partner at the law firm of DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A. in Seminole, Florida. Mr. DeLoach graduated from Mercer University in 1996 and Mercer University Law School in 1999. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Elder Law. Mr. DeLoach is a frequent speaker on continuing legal education to other Florida attorneys. Mr. DeLoach joined the Board in 2020 and is the son of retired BayFirst director Dennis R. DeLoach, Jr. We believe that Mr. DeLoach’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his legal experience.
Alexander Harris, age 40, currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Arts Conservatory for Teens (“ACT”), a non-profit organization headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. He also currently serves as a Senior Executive Consultant and Creative Strategist for Three Oak Doors Enterprises, LLC, and he has previously
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