Charles Franson is the general counsel for CenterBank of Jacksonville.
WHAT DOES YOUR POSITION INVOLVE?
He evaluates legal matters for the bank and coordinates/assists in the bank’s legal representation. Franson is responsible for working with outside counsel in monitoring all transactions for the bank, including loan closings and the handling of all corporate and regulatory matters.
OUT ON A LIMB
After spending four decades at the law firm of Franson, Aldridge and Sands, Franson left his post as president and senior member to join CenterBank. His former partners and most of his associates flocked to other firms. Prior experience includes general counsel of American National Bank of Florida.
HOW HAS YOUR JOB CHANGED?
“My practice was corporate and banking. The work is very similar. The difference now is that I concentrate on one client, CenterBank. I have an equity position in the bank. It makes you focus more.”
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT IT?
“The ability to build the bank in the community from scratch is very exciting. We can select our own target market and shape it the way we want it, concentrating on the small business community in Jacksonville.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“I would say I wear more than just a general counsel’s hat. I attempt to bring new customers to the bank from former contacts, something I never had to do in the past. I also try to be accessible to all 30 employees in the bank, not just management.”
BORN
Detroit.
EDUCATION
He majored in political science at the University of Michigan. He earned a law degree at Stetson University.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?
“I visited my parents in Orlando over Christmas break. After leaving sub-zero temperatures in Ann Arbor, the Greyhound bus stopped in DeLand, where it was warm and sunny. I’d never seen Spanish moss before. I’d never been to Florida. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining. I had left in a blizzard. I transferred to Stetson the next semester.”
FAMILY TREE
Orange Park is home to Franson and his wife Marian. They have five children, Albert, Katie, Ann, Susan and Charles Jr. and nine grandchildren. Albert practiced commercial litigation at his father’s firm after he graduated from law school.
THE PATH TO BANKING
“I started out in litigation. I had an opportunity to represent American Bank with banking issues and really liked it so I switched my practice to corporate. I don’t know any business that doesn’t have some connection with a bank where it is just a passbook account.”
WHY GO INTO LAW IN THE FIRST PLACE?
“I had an uncle who was the only lawyer in the family and I admired him very much. He encouraged me to go to law school. I like the people in the profession, the code of conduct and the ethics.”
RETREAT TO THE HILLS
“I maintain a rock garden in North Carolina about a mile up the south slope of Beech Mountain. It’s so beautiful, tranquil and quiet.” He also enjoys the classic film “Casablanca” or re-runs of “Seinfeld.”
OTHER INTERESTS
A former member of Rotary Club, Franson is currently a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a Paul Harris Fellow, an honorary fellowship given to outstanding Rotarians.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“Judge John T. Wiggington, chief judge of the First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee. After law school he invited me to be his research assistant. He was incredible, such a thorough, wise attorney and judge. In law he was my mentor.”
— by Monica Chamness