Mr. Williams recently retired as Vice President (“VP”) of Corporate Community Affairs at Mr. Williams recently retired as Vice President (“VP”) of Corporate Community Affairs at Duke Energy Corporation and President of the Duke Energy Foundation. Over his 37-year career at Duke Energy Corporation, he held various leadership roles which included VP of Environmental, Health & Safety, VP of Enterprise Field Services, VP of Diversity & Talent Management, VP of Diversity, Ethics & Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer, and VP of Business & Community Relations. Mr. Williams is a director of Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. He also is a current board member for Atrium Health and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. In addition, he has served on various other boards throughout his career, including UNC Chapel Hill - Board of Trustees (Chair 2003-2005), Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce (Chair 1995-1996), UNC General Alumni Association (Chair 2002), Durham Chamber of Commerce (Chair 2002), Greater Charlotte YMCA (Chair 2011-2013), The Mint Museum (Chair 2011-2013), Central Piedmont Community College, National Association of Corporate Directors – Carolinas Chapter and Bank of Commerce (2008-2014). Additionally, he was recognized as one of the Top 100 directors for 2020 nationally by the National Association of Corporate Directors and was named one of 2015’s “Heroes of the Fortune 500” for good works by employees of the nation’s largest companies. North Carolina’s Governor also conferred the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Mr. Williams, one of North Carolina’s most prestigious honors. Mr. Williams joined the Board effective April 1, 2016 after having served as an advisory director of HomeTrust Bancshares and HomeTrust Bank since October 1, 2015. Mr. Williams brings to the Board extensive business experience gained from a variety of leadership roles within a large organization, as well as strong ties to the local community.
Mr. Westbrook currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of HomeTrust Bancshares and of HomeTrust Bank. Prior to September 1, 2021, Mr. Westbrook served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of HomeTrust Bancshares since October 2018, President and Chief Operating Officer of HomeTrust Bank since October 2020 and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of HomeTrust Bank since October 2018. Before that, Mr. Westbrook served as Executive Vice President (Senior Vice President prior to December 22, 2014) and Chief Banking Officer of HomeTrust Bancshares and HomeTrust Bank since June 2012. Mr. Westbrook began his career in banking with TCF Bank in Minneapolis and later joined TCF National Bank Illinois as Senior Vice President of Finance. In 2004 he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Retail Banking for Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana markets that included 250 branches and $4 billion in deposits. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of First Community Bancshares in Texas, from 2006 to 2008, where he was responsible for repositioning the bank’s retail operating model and implemented the bank’s retail and corporate lending product offerings. In his most recent role, Mr. Westbrook served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer from 2008 to 2010 and as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2010 to 2012 of Second Federal Savings and Loan Association of Chicago, where he significantly grew core operating revenue, net checking account balances, and repositioned the bank’s entire product line. Mr. Westbrook joined the Board effective September 1, 2021, in conjunction with his promotion to President of HomeTrust Bancshares and Chief Executive Officer of HomeTrust Bank. Mr. Westbrook’s decades of experience as a senior executive in the banking industry and nearly ten years of service with HomeTrust Bank make him a valued addition to the Board.
In June 2016, Mr. Koontz retired as Eastern Region Director of Information Technology of Atrium Windows and Doors, Inc., a manufacturer of residential vinyl and aluminum windows and patio doors, a position he held since 2011. Prior to being promoted to that position, Mr. Koontz served as IT Director for Atrium's North Carolina operations since 2002. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Koontz served as Corporate IT Project Manager for Lifestyle Furnishings International, and from 1978 to 1999 served as Vice President of Information Technology and Customer Service for Lexington Furniture Industries. In addition, Mr. Koontz currently serves as Chair of the Transition Committee of First Presbyterian Church Lexington and is an elder. He also volunteers for Crisis Ministry of Davidson County and Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Koontz has also served as President of the Lexington Rotary Club, President of Hospice of Davidson County, and Chairman of the Lexington City Board of Education. Mr. Koontz became a director of HomeTrust Bank in 2010. Mr. Koontz worked in the information technology field for over 45 years, 40 of which involved supporting systems that provide information used in financial reporting systems. This has given Mr. Koontz a sound understanding of internal and external auditing matters, especially with regard to information technology. Coupled with his knowledge of and experience with information technology matters in general, this has made Mr. Koontz a valued member of the Board.
Mr. McFarland has served as President of McFarland Funeral Chapel, Inc. Mr. McFarland has served on a number of other community boards, including the board of trustees of St. Luke's Hospital, the zoning board for Tryon, North Carolina, the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, the Polk County, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the American Cancer Society – Polk County Unit (as Chairman) and the Forbes Foundation, a philanthropic organization. Mr. McFarland joined the Board of Directors of HomeTrust Bank in 2003. Mr. McFarland adds value to the Board through his experience as a small business owner and operator for over 30 years and his strong ties to the local community from his other board service.
Mr. Switzer recently retired as the Managing Partner of the Charlotte office of KPMG LLP, and the Market Leader for KPMG’s Coastal Business Unit, encompassing offices in the Carolinas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Over his 38-year career at the firm, he held various leadership roles which also included serving as the Managing Partner of the Cleveland, Louisville, and Lexington, Kentucky offices, as well as other leadership roles within the firm. Throughout his career, Mr. Switzer served as the lead audit partner for numerous publicly traded global and domestic companies in multiple industries. Mr. Switzer is a director of Barings BDC, Inc., a publicly traded business development company, where he has served as the audit committee chairman. He is also a director of Barings Capital Investment Corporation, a privately held business development company, where he serves on the audit committee. In addition, he is a director of CTE (Carolina Tractor and Equipment Company) and a board member for the Foundation for the Mint Museum and the National Association of Corporate Directors Carolinas Chapter. He has served on numerous other not-for-profit boards in several cities throughout his career. Mr. Switzer joined the Board effective September 3, 2019 after having served as an advisory director of HomeTrust Bancshares and HomeTrust Bank since January 1, 2019. Mr. Switzer’s background as a business leader, a CPA and a lead audit partner for public companies, as well as his extensive board experience, is of great benefit to our board of directors.
Ms. Kendall is a Senior Managing Director at Aurora Management Partners and has over 40 years of financial and management experience. She has been with Aurora Management Partners since 2013 and prior to that worked in numerous leadership roles with Tanner Companies LLC (President 2008-2013; Chief Operating Officer 2006-2008; and Chief Financial Officer 2003-2006), CFOdynamics LLC (CEO 2002-2003), Delhaize America, Inc. (CFO 1999-2002), and its subsidiary, Food Lion, Inc. (CFO 1997-2002), F&M Distributors, Inc. (CFO 1988-1996), and Perry Drug Stores, Inc. (VP of Finance 1986-1988). Ms. Kendall is a registered CPA and a member of the American Institute of CPAs. She is a previous member of the Board of Directors at Bank of Commerce and of Charles & Colvard (2003-2011). Ms. Kendall joined the Board effective April 1, 2016 after having served as an advisory director of HomeTrust Bancshares and HomeTrust Bank since October 1, 2015. Ms. Kendall’s broad business background and accounting expertise make her a valued member of the Board.
Upon selling his medical practice in Gainesville, Georgia in 2017, Mr. Neelagaru retired after more than 40 years in his field as a board-certified cardiologist. He founded Quantum Capital Corp. and its subsidiary, Quantum National Bank, in 1995, where he served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and majority shareholder up until its merger with HomeTrust in February 2023. Mr. Neelagaru currently serves on the Boards of the Indian American International Chamber of Commerce and International Development Foundation, Inc., and has served on the Boards of CIGNA Health Spring Insurance Company, the Athens Area Coalition of Physicians, the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Bankers Association of Georgia. Mr. Neelagaru joined the Board of Directors of both HomeTrust Bancshares and HomeTrust Bank effective June 26, 2023. Mr. Neelagaru’s broad business experience, both in the medical and banking fields, as well as his continued service to the local Georgia community, make him a welcomed addition to the Board.
Ms. Lowe is the Chief Executive of Fizzywork Executive Coaching, a position she has held since 2012. Previously, Ms. Lowe was with Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) beginning in 1982 and rose through the ranks to serve both East Florida and Western North Carolina as Regional President before her departure in 2007. A broad banking career included serving as a branch manager, regional risk administration manager, state retail banking manager, state mortgage manager, and mergers and integrations manager for three different acquisitions. As Regional President, she had overall responsibility for consumer, commercial, wealth, real estate, and dealer banking in the regions she served. She also held the title of Executive Vice President of Wachovia Bank since 2002. Ms. Lowe graduated from Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching Program. She completed the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Executive Leadership Program and the Duke University’s Senior Management Development Program, and was a member of Leadership North Carolina. Ms. Lowe has served on many community boards and executive committees, including those of The United Way, Chambers of Commerce, YMCA of Western North Carolina, and Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation. Ms. Lowe joined the Board effective September 1, 2020 after having served as an advisory director of HomeTrust Bancshares and HomeTrust Bank since January 10, 2020. Ms. Lowe’s extensive experience in the banking industry and in working with executive-level employees on the development of leadership skills make her a valued member of the Board.
Mr. James has over 42 years of experience in the banking industry and is currently President of Robert E. James Advisors, LLP. In this capacity he works with CEOs and other executives of public and private companies to improve company performance and their leadership skills. From 2012 to 2015, he worked for Grant Thornton LLP as a Senior Advisor in their Banking and Securities Industry Practice. Prior to 2012, he worked for Fifth Third Bank, North Carolina (President and CEO 2008-2012), First Charter Corporation (President and CEO 2004-2008; Chief Banking Officer 1999-2004), and Centura Banks, Inc. (Executive Vice President 1989-1999). He is a current board member for the Salvation Army, Charlotte Area Command. In addition, he has served as Vice-Chair for the Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bank, North Carolina (2011-2014), served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Bankers Association (Chair 2007-2008), served as a board member for UNC Chapel Hill – Board of Visitors and has served as Chairman of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee, for Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Mr. James joined the Board effective April 1, 2016 after having served as an advisory director of HomeTrust Bancshares and HomeTrust Bank since October 1, 2015. Mr. James’s many years of experience in the banking industry, including having served as a CEO and in other senior executive positions, make him a valuable member of the Board.