Meet Our Leadership Team

Greg has dedicated more than two decades of his 30+ year career in banking to Premier Bank where he guides clients, mentors employees and strengthens communities. Greg is a member of Rotary Club of Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Country Club. He also takes pride in using his expertise in involvement in the Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. CEO Roundtable and serving on the Board of Directors of PBS39 and the Downtown Improvement District. While Greg is an avid investor with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, he knows the most valuable investment he can make is building relationships with clients and within his community.
 

As President of the Columbus Market, Dave manages the group while maintaining a large book of Commercial Real Estate and Business loans. He works closely with Realtors, Real Estate investors, owners and is highly active as a lender. Columbus market benefits from his leadership mentoring the team, devoting time and resources to impactful local non-profits
 

With 20+ years in the banking industry, Amy understands and appreciates the difference a local, community bank can make. She takes pride in growing and mentoring a team that shares her passion for serving our customers and the community. As someone who believes every interaction is an opportunity to add value, she uses her involvement in community organizations like the United Way of Hancock County and the Marathon Center for Performing Arts to build connections to resources to fulfill the needs of the area.
 

Steve has more than 30 years of experience in banking and finance, while specializing in owner managed businesses and commercial real estate. He believes in taking a personal approach and investing time in getting to know customers, building relationships and understanding the business. Steve is a member of the Akron Area YMCA's Board of Trustees, Treasurer, Executive Committee and incoming board chair. He also serves on boards for Revere Power Pack and Portage Development as well as being a member of the Ohio Banker’s League. Hendricks was the 2020 recipient of the H. Peter Burg Community Leadership award through the American Red Cross.

With 20+ years in the banking industry, Joel knows that strength in numbers goes beyond those found on a balance sheet. It’s also found in people working together strengthen the community and help others achieve their goals. So whether he’s watching his kids at practice, volunteering on a local non-profit board or listening to someone’s vision for the future, his mind is at work developing a game plan filled with the right resources for success.
 

Jack has over 36 years of banking expertise. He has held positions of leadership in Middle Market, Business Banking and Treasury Management. Much of his specializing has been in providing capital market solutions and banking services to the greater NEO business community. Jack believes in taking a personalized approach when assisting clients in bringing their strategic plans to life and achieving their financial goals. Jack is an active board member for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, a Community Hub committee member for the Cleveland United Way and lifetime Avon Athletic Booster.

Specializing in Commercial and Business Banking, Josh works with the Mahoning Valley banking team to ensure they help their clients maintain economic and social stability. His nearly 20 years of industry experience enables him to lead his team to excel in the Mahoning Valley region. Josh’s commitment to the local community is evident through the various boards and leadership positions he holds in the community. He serves on the Board of Directors for Mahoning Valley Economic Development, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, and volunteers with the Youngstown Community Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley, the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, and Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley
 

In Jim’s 20+ years with the Bank, he has worked to improve our communities by leading and mentoring employees, listening to clients to provide smart financial solutions, and devoting resources and his talents to local organizations like the Economic Development Boards in Defiance and Lenawee Counties that strengthen the places he calls home. As a triathlete, he is committed to going the extra mile during his training and in building partnerships with clients and the community.
 

Mr. Small was appointed President and CEO of Premier Financial Corp. and Premier Bank in March 2021. Prior to that, he served as President of Premier Financial Corp. and Premier Bank and joined the Premier Financial Corp. Board on January 31, 2020, as part of the UCFC merger. Small was named President and CEO of Home Savings and joined the UCFC Board in March 2014, bringing more than 28 years of industry experience and a successful record of developing businesses, growing revenue and improving organizational performance. Small most recently served as Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Banking Officer for S&T Bank in Indiana, PA, with responsibility for their Wealth Management, Retail Banking and Insurance business groups. Prior to joining S&T, Small served as COO for the Jackson Hewitt Tax Services 1,000 store company owned business unit. Before Jackson Hewitt, Mr. Small served as EVP - Head of Regional Banking for Sky Financial Group and post-merger with Huntington Bank, as Huntington Bank’s EVP– Regional Banking Group President. Small also spent 20 years with National City Corporation, and a predecessor, Merchants National Corporation, in a number of senior operating and financial roles.

SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Kathy Bushway joined Premier Bank in 2020 as part of the UCFC (First Federal and Home Savings) merger. She leads a team of professionals in brand, product management, digital banking, marketing strategy, media relations, public relations, and communications. Ms. Bushway joined Home Savings in 2016 with over 30 years of marketing experience, most recently as SVP, Marketing and Communications Director at FirstMerit Bank. She has an extensive marketing and communications background across various industries including 25 years in banking. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University and Masters of Business Administration from Malone University.

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Information and Operations Officer of Premier Bank since March 2021. Prior to joining Premier Bank, Mr. Chandhok served as CIO – Regulatory, Risk, Financial Crimes and Corporate Technology for M&T Bank, where he focused on strategic consolidation, architecture and capability evolution across multiple functions. Mr. Chandhok earned his Bachelor of Science dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University and his Master of Science degree in Industrial Administration with a concentration in Information Technology, Finance & Organizational Behavior from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. He continued his education by completing the Executive Leadership Program and the Learning as Leadership Personal Mastery Program at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer of Premier Financial Corp. and Premier Bank as of January 2020. Prior to that she served as Director of Human Resources since November 2015. Ms. Davis was Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director at First Community Bank from October 2007 to November 2015 before joining Premier Financial Corp. Prior to that, she served as an Assistant Vice President, Senior Human Resources Business Partner for BBVA Compass. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Business and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of South Alabama. Ms. Davis also has her SHRM-SCP and SPHR certifications.

Jason Gendics joined Premier Bank as part of the First Federal Bank and Home Savings merger in 2020. In 2019, he joined Home Savings as Executive Vice President, Consumer and Business Banking. He is responsible for management, planning and oversight of consumer branch and business banking sales. He has over 25 years of very successful banking experience, leadership and innovation with large regional banks.  Before joining Home Savings, he held management positions at Huntington National Bank, FirstMerit Corporation, and National City Bank.  Mr. Gendics earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from Brown University in Providence Rhode Island and Master of Business Administration in International Management from Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. 
 

Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer as of May 2023, John Houpt joined Premier Bank in 2022 as Deputy Chief Credit officer. He is responsible for oversight of the Bank's established credit risk appetite, developing credit risk policies and strategies, credit delivery, portfolio management and leading the credit administration team.

Mr. Houpt has more than 25 years of dedicated credit underwriting and credit administration experience. He joined Premier Bank from Wells Fargo Bank where he was Market Credit Leader for the Ohio commercial banking group. He also held various credit and commercial banking positions with National City Bank and Fifth Third Bank. Mr. Houpt earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Real Estate and Management from the University of Cincinnati’s Lindner College of Business; as well as a Master of Business Administration in Corporate Financial Management and Real Estate from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business.

Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking of as of March 2023. Prior to that, he served as the Northcentral Market President. He is responsible for Commercial Banking efforts across Premier Bank’s Ohio, Indiana and Michigan footprints, including: Commercial, Commercial Real Estate, Treasury Management and SBA Lending. Mr. Hull has over 40 years of experience in the commercial banking industry. His leadership skills have enabled him to serve three terms as Director for the Ohio Banker’s League. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, practiced law for 15 years and was General Counsel at Sky Bank. He serves on the Boards of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stark Development Board and Akron YMCA.

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer of Premier Financial Corp. and Premier Bank as of March 2021. Prior to joining Premier Bank, Ms. Kuhl served as a Member of the Corporate Practice Group and Financial Institutions Services Group at Frost Brown Todd, LLC, where she focused on regulatory compliance, small business lending, M&A, contract review/negotiation, corporate governance matters, securities law compliance and SEC reporting and corporate policy development. Ms. Kuhl earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Dayton; and her Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since May 2019. Prior to that, he served as Director of Finance and Accounting. Mr. Nungester served as Senior Vice President and Controller at Welltower Inc., a real estate investment trust, where he served in various roles from 2001 until 2018 before joining Premier Bank. He is a graduate of John Carroll University and earned his MBA at The University of Toledo. Paul is a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant and graduate of Deloitte’s Next Generation CFO Academy.

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer of Premier Bank as of January 2020. Prior to that, he served as Director of Strategy Management since January 2017. In addition, Mr. Rose served as Executive Vice President, Head of Business Banking from 2013 until 2017 and Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer from 2001 until 2013. Mr. Rose joined Premier Bank in 1996 and served as Corporate Controller until 2001.

Jennifer Scroggs joined Premier Bank in 2020 as part of the UCFC (First Federal and Homes Savings) merger. She manages the Wealth Management Division's strategic planning and execution.  Wealth Management is comprised of Private Banking, Trust and Investment Management, Trust Operations, Brokerage, and Trust Compliance Management.  She is responsible for the financial growth, relationship development, and profitability of the division.  Ms. Scroggs joined First Federal Bank in 2017 with over 15 years of experience in wealth management. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President and Director of Trust. She earned her Bachelors in Marketing and International Business from Ohio University and her Juris Doctorate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She is a member of the Toledo Bar Association and the Toledo Estate Planning Council.

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer of Premier Financial Corp. and Premier Bank as of November 2020. Ms. Shaver has spent most of her career at FirstMerit Corporation in Akron, OH. She most recently served as Senior Director & Deputy Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer with Treliant, LLC in Washington D.C. Ms. Shaver earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management from Walsh University. She is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).