Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Notable Accomplishments
Work Availability
Work Preference
Timeline
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Heath Dawson

Heath Dawson

Hahira,GA

Summary

Experienced and results-driven leader with over 25 years professional experience in dynamic and diverse financial institutions. Proven track record of elevating organizational performance and delivering exceptional value while passionately driving toward innovation, operational excellence, and unparalleled member satisfaction.

Hands on experience in optimizing operational efficiency, enhancing strategies while mitigating risk, and harnessing cutting-edge technologies to propel growth.

Passionate and purposeful in empowering Team Members to become leaders with a shared mission, fostering a collective commitment to surpassing organizational goals.



Work History

SVP & Chief Operating Officer

Marshland Credit Union
04.2024 - Current
  • Leadership and executive responsibilties for service delivery platforms, including branch operations, consumer lending, real estate lending, business lending, payment systems, digital banking, and call center as well as loan operations, facilities, and IT.
  • Lead service and sales efforts and ensure the effectiveness of training programs. Promote a success-oriented, accountable enviroment.
  • Live out Credit Union's vision and mission to be significant in the lives of our members, employees, and the communities we serve.
  • As a Senior Executive Team member, assist in creating the global strategic plans, budgets, priorities, and tactics.
  • Recruit, hire, and effectively develop and manage high performing teams wihtin assigned departments. Ensure effective coaching, development, and accountabilitiy measures are in place for all assigned departments.
  • Work closely with the President/CEO and executive team to develop and implement improvements to existing processes, delivery channels, and staffing.
  • Work closely with other executives and departments to develop and maintain fraud mitigation controls, including staff education, processes, and procedures.
  • Formulate and recommend operating guidelines and ensures execution and compliance with all policies and procedures.
  • Champion activities that support Credit Union promotions and membership growth initatives.
  • Research new products and services, keeping abreast of trends within the industry and other traditions and non-traditional providers of financials services. Collaborate with the President/CEO and excutive team to introduce new products and services.

President & CEO

Southern Pine Credit Union
2021 - 03.2024
  • Direct all Credit Union operations, which include planning and implementing programs, policies, and procedures
  • Directly or through subordinates, provides strategic and/or administration direction and management in all functional areas, to include: Accounting, ALM, Business development, Compliance, Facility management, Finance, Human resources, Investments, Lending, Marketing, Operations, Retail services, Risk management, Security, and IT
  • Internal and external champion for organization’s sales and service culture that rewards excellence
  • Develop, recommend, and implement financial policies and procedures
  • Manages day to day operations of Credit Union
  • Establish procedures to effectively promote products and services and to ensure outstanding member service
  • Ensure compliance with all laws and regulations set forth by State and Federal regulatory agencies
  • Oversee budget process for Credit Union consistent with overall strategic plan
  • Monitor workflow to continually ensure effective and efficient delivery of services to members
  • Make necessary adjustments and changes to include hiring, training, reassigning, and/or termination of employees as necessary
  • Ensure appropriate evaluation of each employee’s job performance
  • Report to Board on regular basis condition of Credit Union and any items requiring Board’s attention
  • All other duties as requested by Board of Directors.

Senior Director

First Commerce Credit Union
2017 - 2021
  • Responsibility for Retail Financial Center Network, Business Development of Retail, Commercial and Mortgage Lending, and Community Engagement throughout South Georgia
  • Internal and external champion for organization’s sales and service culture that rewards excellence
  • Lead continued enhancements of service delivery, Team Member development, and operational process improvements related to financial center services and ITM’s
  • Design and implement sales strategies and service initiatives, including cross-selling of mortgage, investment, insurance services, and other Credit Union products
  • Develop effective sales relationship process for members, sales tools, policies, objectives, and report industry trends to Executive Management, making recommendations for appropriate responses within marketplace
  • Serve on Senior Management Team and collaborate with other SMT members in development of strategic plans to achieve Credit Union's overall growth objectives
  • Actively participate and foster strong ties with business community within field of membership to cultivate business development leads and production
  • Active involvement and service in community and civic organizations such as The Valdosta Rotary Club and The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Community Council and Board.
  • Recruit, interview, and hire Team Members and implement mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.

Branch Manager / Business Banking Loan Officer

Bank of the Ozarks
2016 - 2017
  • Develop and manage consumer and commercial banking relationships in effort for deposit and loan portfolio growth
  • Develop and lead local and area sales campaigns and marketing initiatives
  • Develop and maintain Centers of Influence for referral of potential clients
  • Market and create brand for bank through participating in civic and community meetings, volunteer boards, and events
  • Manage performance and production of four-member Branch team.

Branch Manager / Business Banking Loan Officer

First Citizens Bank
2015 - 2016
  • Develop and manage consumer and commercial banking relationships in effort for deposit and loan portfolio growth
  • Develop and lead local and area sales campaigns and marketing initiatives
  • Develop and maintain Centers of Influence for referral of potential clients
  • Market and create brand for bank through participating in civic and community meetings, volunteer boards, and events
  • Manage performance and production of four-member Branch team.

Regional Director, Sales & Operations

Distributech
2005 - 2014
  • Develop and manage a Regional P&L of $5MM in annual reviews and $1.5MM in EBITDA
  • Hire, lead, and develop a regional sales team of 12 General Managers (Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas)
  • Develop marketing strategies, product/service pricing models, sales processes, and operational efficiencies
  • Manage Regional and National key client relationships
  • Travel up to 35 weeks annually within a region covering 16 market offices.

Mortgage Account Executive

2001 - 2005

Retail Banking Management

1999 - 2001

Education

3 Years of Coursework Completed - Finance & Economics

University of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

High School Diploma -

Mountain View High School
Birmingham, AL
05.1996

Skills

  • Executive Leadership
  • Operational Efficiency
  • Strategic Business Planning
  • Organizational Development
  • Retail Banking
  • Change and Growth Management
  • Credit Administration
  • Financial Management
  • Loan Origination
  • Capital and Resource Management
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Asset Liability Oversight

Notable Accomplishments

  • Led the SPCU out of NCUA Conservatorship in March of 2022
  • Increased overall loan production at SPCU by over 300%
  • Converted SPCU to new imaging system, automated processes, and established loan operations & quality control procedures
  • Increased SPCU Net worth from 6.23% to 11.54% in 30 months
  • Led the SPCU through a Core Conversion & launched new mobile banking app
  • Completed 2 State and NCUA joint exams with no Findings at SPCU
  • Led FCCU strategic initiatives for the launch into South GA, 3 new locations
  • Increased FCCU’s South GA AUM $76MM, a 100% increase over 3 years
  • Led FCCU’s market plan for service transition and launch of 2 new modern Financial Centers in South Georgia
  • Led a part of FCCU’s Acquisition and Conversion Team during the purchase of a $285MM community bank, converting 4 Financial Center Teams and ITM’s
  • Led FCCU’s Business Services and Mortgage Lending initiatives for South Georgia, netting a $20MM increase for 2020

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Important To Me

Company CultureWork-life balancePaid time off401k matchHealthcare benefitsCareer advancement

Timeline

SVP & Chief Operating Officer

Marshland Credit Union
04.2024 - Current

3 Years of Coursework Completed - Finance & Economics

University of Alabama At Birmingham

High School Diploma -

Mountain View High School

President & CEO

Southern Pine Credit Union
2021 - 03.2024

Senior Director

First Commerce Credit Union
2017 - 2021

Branch Manager / Business Banking Loan Officer

Bank of the Ozarks
2016 - 2017

Branch Manager / Business Banking Loan Officer

First Citizens Bank
2015 - 2016

Regional Director, Sales & Operations

Distributech
2005 - 2014

Mortgage Account Executive

2001 - 2005

Retail Banking Management

1999 - 2001
Heath Dawson