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Greenville Business Magazine

The Business Narrative: New Regional Bank President

Nov 06, 2024 10:34AM ● By Donna Walker

(Photo courtesy of Southern First)

Southern First Names Jimmy Bailey Regional President in Charleston

Southern First Bancshares, Inc., holding company for Southern First Bank, announced the appointment of Jimmy Bailey to regional president in Charleston, South Carolina.

 

Company officials said Bailey has served as a team leader in Charleston since 2021, providing leadership, guidance, and expertise that has supported growth in the market since his arrival.

 

The officials said Bailey has a proven track record of strategic planning and operational leadership throughout his 25-year career for professional, civic, and charitable organizations.

 

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and is a graduate of Leadership Charleston, South Carolina Bankers School, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

 

Bailey currently serves on the city of Charleston Planning Commission.

 

“Jimmy is an accomplished leader who has demonstrated a commitment to investing in his teammates and dreaming big since he joined Southern First,” said Art Seaver, the company’s chief executive officer. “We are excited to watch him excel as the leader of our growing Charleston team.”

 

Southern First Bancshares, Inc., based in Greenville, South Carolina, is a registered bank holding company incorporated under the laws of South Carolina.

 

The company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Southern First Bank, is the second largest bank headquartered in South Carolina.

 

Southern First Bank has been providing financial services since 1999 and now operates in 12 locations in the Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston markets of South Carolina as well as the Charlotte, Triangle and Triad regions of North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Southern First Bancshares has consolidated assets of approximately $4.2 billion and its common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SFST.”

Headlands Research Acquires Trial Management Associates

Headlands Research, a leading multinational network of clinical trial sites, announced the acquisition of Trial Management Associates (TMA), a multi-site clinical research company with locations in North and South Carolina.

 

Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

 

The Headlands Research network now includes 21 sites across the United States and Canada, extending the network's southeastern US geographical reach.

 

"The acquisition of TMA further demonstrates our commitment to strategic growth," said Kyle Burtnett, CEO of Headlands Research.

 

Burtnett also said, "By adding TMA to our ever-expanding network of clinical trial sites, we are providing sponsors with more geographic options, larger and more diverse participant pools, and a greater depth of knowledge in two of our core clinical areas."

 

TMA is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, with an additional location in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

 

Officials said TMA, led by President Phil Dattilo, brings significant experience across various therapeutic specialties, including vaccines, endocrinology, and more, complementing Headlands Research's existing areas of focus.

 

The officials said TMA's experienced team and strong relationships with industry-leading sponsors and clinical research organizations further bolster Headlands Research's strategic vision of accelerating clinical development and improving patient outcomes by leveraging best-in-class research infrastructure and expertise.

 

"The missions of TMA and Headlands Research are synchronous: to improve lives by advancing innovative medical therapies," said Phil Dattilo, TMA president.

 

Dattilo added, "Joining the Headlands Research family allows TMA to scale our capabilities, share best practices, and combine expertise in ways that will be of great value to our sponsors and participants."

Comvest Private Equity Announces Investment in Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry

Comvest Private Equity, a leading middle-market private equity investment group, announced a majority investment in Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry, a leading dental services organization (DSO) based in Cary, North Carolina, in partnership with its founder and chief executive officer, Dr. Michael Riccobene, DDS.

 

Riccobene becomes the 14th healthcare services platform investment by Comvest’s private equity strategy.

 

Founded in 2000, Riccobene supports a growing network of 62 multi-specialty dentistry clinics across North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina that provide comprehensive general and specialty dental services.

 

Riccobene has grown significantly in recent years and now supports more than 150 providers across its clinics.

 

Officials said Riccobene has retained a meaningful stake in the business and will continue to lead the company in his current role as chief executive officer alongside the existing management team.

 

William Blair & Company served as financial advisor to Riccobene in connection with the transaction.

 

DC Advisory and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. served as financial advisors and McDermott Will & Emery served as legal advisor to Comvest.

9Round Kickboxing Fitness Taps Lebert Fitness to Become Master Franchise Developer in Canada

Simpsonville, South Carolina-based 9Round Kickboxing Fitness, the kickboxing fitness franchise, announced that long-time vendor Lebert Fitness has become the Canadian Master Developer responsible for growing the 9Round brand in Canada.

 

Officials said the strategic partnership re-invigorates the Canadian market post-pandemic by locating business operations in Canada through the Lebert Fitness team to better support the 25 existing Canadian franchise partners and ensure faster growth through new locations.

 

"9Round and Lebert Fitness have had a long-term relationship, as Lebert strength training products have been embedded in our program for years,” said 9Round CEO Shannon "The Cannon" Hudson.

 

Hudson added, “We are aligned in our values to provide the best quality products and workouts to as many people as possible, as kickboxing and bodyweight strength training make for an unparalleled fitness experience."

 

Today, there are nearly 400 9Round locations open and operating throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. 

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