Keith Perry has been the executive vice president of CenterBank of Jacksonville since its inception in August.
WHAT ARE HIS DUTIES?
Part of the original organizing team, Perry is in charge of all the financial accounting. “Because we’re a small bank, I do the accounting, tax work, financial reporting and investments. On the funding side, I am setting rates for deposits, looking at different kinds of funding [outside of deposits], managing the bank’s capital position and managing relationships between the Controller of Currency, FDIC and the Federal Reserve.”
WHAT CLIENTS DO YOU SERVE?
“CenterBank is exclusively focused on small businesses with revenue of $5 million or less. It’s a huge market in Jacksonville; 92 to 93 percent of all businesses. It’s a very under served market that we see as an attractive opportunity. We also have the Center Circle program directed at depositors over age 50.”
EDUCATION
A Florida State University graduate, Perry holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance.
WHY GO INTO BANKING?
“At the time, the industry was about to undergo tremendous change when deregulation happened. The element of it changing so quickly and continuing to change challenged me.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Having to wear so many different hats because we are in a start-up phase. I am constantly shifting to a completely different area in a span of minutes. It’s a lot different than large companies where you can delegate.”
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN
“There are few businesses in this world where you have the opportunity to visit with all different types of businesses and learn about them. It exposes you to lots of interesting people.”
LEARNING CURVE
Fresh out of college, Perry landed a position as the chief financial officer of American National Bank, working there until it was sold to SouthTrust. Following the sale, Perry took a brief hiatus before plunging into the two-year chore of creating CenterBank.
HOMETOWN
Clearwater.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?
“My wife took a job with Peat Marwick as an auditor and I followed her. Jacksonville was better known as the banking capital in the late 1970s. I knew there would be lots of opportunities.”
FAMILY TREE
Perry, his wife Kimberly and their children, Alex and Ashlyn, reside in Ponte Vedra Beach.
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Perry, a certified public accountant, is chairman of the board for Specialty House Jacksonville, treasurer of the Florida Theatre and a Cub Master for a Cub Pack in Ponte Vedra Beach. Gio’s Cafe is his preferred dining spot. Running, playing backgammon and reading classic literature are his favorite downtime activities. He also enjoys playing and collecting guitars.
—by Monica Chamness