Brian Bailey, CRE, CCIM | Director @ Opsahl Dawson

 As head of research, Brian is responsible for providing thought leadership and monitoring emerging economic, commercial real estate (CRE), and finance trends at Trimont. He is responsible for providing clarity in today’s uncertain climate and creating analytics that provide insights into lending and property trends. Prior to Trimont, Brian was the Commercial Real Estate Subject Matter Expert and Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. His work informed three Federal Reserve chairs, five central banks, and the International Monetary Fund. He briefed Chair Jerome Powell, the Board of Governors and multiple policymakers on CRE and finance trends. Additionally, he addressed audiences of 25-30,000 at hundreds of venues, including Federal Agencies, universities, industry conferences and syndicated radio. • LinkedIn

Michael Benardo | Former Associate Director of Risk Management Supervision @ FDIC

Michael is retired from the FDIC, where he most recently led the Anti-Money Laundering and Cyber Fraud Branch in the Division of Risk Management Supervision. Previously, he served as Chief of the Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section where he led a team of highly skilled staff responsible for developing policy, guidance, examination resources, and training related to cyber fraud and financial crimes; analyzing financial sector threats and vulnerabilities and sharing information with relevant stakeholders; and administering the background check program related to applications submitted to the FDIC. He began his career at the FDIC in 1990 in the Jackson, Mississippi field office, and he gained extensive bank examination experience in the Gainesville, Florida field office. He also served as a key member of the FDIC’s Year 2000 project team from 1997 through the century date change. Prior to his employment with the FDIC, Mr. Benardo spent six years working in the commercial banking industry in a variety of areas, including several assignments in bank operations. Mr. Benardo has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of South Florida. • LinkedIn 

Lorraine Faust, CRCM | Director @ Saltmarsh

Lorraine is a director with experience across internal audit, compliance, and regulatory risk management. She began her career in the financial services industry over 30 years ago in internal audit before transitioning to a compliance and risk management role focusing on lending compliance, fair lending and responsible banking practices. Her primary areas of experience include supporting financial institutions of all sizes in managing fair lending and CRA responsibilities, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating risk. Her expertise includes regulatory change management, policy and procedure development, fair lending and redlining analysis, merger and acquisition due diligence, and risk assessments. Lorraine has also managed regulatory relations and supported examinations by the FDIC, FRB, and CFPB. She is passionate about collaboration and helping leaders thrive by sharing best practices and fostering an environment where meaningful solutions can take shape. • LinkedIn  

Roger Jones, CPA | Director @ Opsahl Dawson

Roger is a licensed CPA with more than 30 years of experience in auditing, tax, accounting, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting. He works with clients across a variety of industries, including construction, financial institutions, closely held businesses, not-for-profits, and high-tech companies. Roger has extensive expertise in the financial services sector, advising credit unions, CUSOs, community banks, and alternative lenders on regulatory compliance, risk management, internal controls, business succession, M&A, and strategic growth initiatives. He began his career at Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), where he developed a strong foundation serving public companies and private businesses. Since then, he has held senior leadership roles at national CPA firms and served as CFO for financial institutions, including a bank holding company and a community bank he helped launch. He also oversaw several CUSOs, offering financial and advisory services tailored to credit union networks. A recognized expert in the credit union space, Roger is a frequent speaker at credit union and financial industry events and has participated in regulatory discussions focused on governance, executive compensation, compliance, and member-centric best practices. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Washington and is an active member of the AICPA, WSCPA, and the Institute of Internal Auditors. Known for his collaborative style and practical insight, Roger takes pride in serving as a trusted advisor to financial institutions navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. • LinkedIn  

Jason Keith, CIA, CISA | Partner @ Saltmarsh

Jason is a partner with experience across technology risk consulting and information systems. He began his career in the technology field over 20 years ago, focusing on risk management and compliance. His primary areas of experience include providing technology risk consulting services to highly regulated industries, including financial institutions, healthcare, and the defense industrial base. He provides information security assessments, vulnerability and penetration testing, and compliance consulting. Prior to joining Saltmarsh, Jason held technology leadership roles such as Vice President of Risk, CIO, and COO, and also brings operational experience from serving as a Bank Director, Credit Administrator, Compliance Officer, and Financial Advisor. • LinkedIn 

Stephanie Lyon, Esq., CRCM, CERP, NCCO, NCRM, NCBSO, CAMS | Vice President of Regulatory Content Strategy & Compliance @ Ncontracts

Stephanie is Senior Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Enterprise Risk at Ncontracts, where she leads compliance, risk, and audit initiatives, driving product strategy, content development, and championing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to enhance regulatory solutions. Her hands-on experience in risk, compliance, and BSA—combined with years of advising hundreds of financial institutions nationwide—gives her a rare blend of subject-matter expertise and real-world insight. She is the author of The Upside of Compliance: Empowering Financial Institutions to Thrive, a comprehensive how-to guide for building intelligent and proactive compliance programs. A nationally recognized speaker, instructor, and faculty member for compliance, risk, and BSA programs, Stephanie is known for bringing clarity and energy to complex regulatory topics. She holds a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School and is an ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking alumna. • LinkedIn 

Brian Nestor | Managing Director @ Raymond James

Brian Nestor rejoined Raymond James in 2010, returning with nine years of combined experience in corporate law and investment banking. Mr. Nestor is active in mergers and acquisitions and public and private offerings of depository institutions. Mr. Nestor received his MBA degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, a JD degree from the Notre Dame Law School and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University. • LinkedIn

Jay Newsome, CPA | Partner @ Saltmarsh

Jay is a partner of the team who provides audit and assurance services. He has over 20 years of experience providing audit and accounting services to financial institutions. Jay specializes in financial statement audits, internal audits, loan reviews, and consulting for the firm’s financial institution clients. He also develops and delivers customized training and workshops focused on financial institution auditing and accounting. Jay is a graduate of the Alabama Bankers Association’s Banking School, where he received the Kay Ivey Outstanding Bank Award, and was named one of Business Alabama magazine’s 2022 Faces of Finance. • LinkedIn  

Sarah Oliver, CRCM | Director @ Saltmarsh

Sarah is a director with experience in regulatory compliance and consulting services for financial institutions. She began her career in financial services with a strong focus on compliance reviews and regulatory frameworks. As a member of the firm’s Financial Institution Advisory Group with over 20 years of experience, Sarah specializes in compliance management systems, deposit and lending regulations, marketing practices, and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliance. Before joining Saltmarsh, Sarah led regulatory change and implementation teams, gaining valuable hands-on experience at both community and regional banks. • LinkedIn  

Becky Reed | COO @ BankSocial 

Becky is a financial services executive and thought leader with more than two decades of leadership experience across banking, fintech, and regulated financial institutions. She is known for leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives and for her ability to translate emerging technologies into practical, compliant, and scalable operating models for financial institutions. As a CEO, Becky led a full enterprise modernization, beginning with core technology remediation and infrastructure redesign. This foundational work enabled greater operational efficiency, improved risk management, and the ability to scale digital products and services in a rapidly changing financial landscape—experience directly applicable across banks and other regulated financial institutions. Becky continues to operate at the intersection of traditional banking and next-generation finance as COO of the fintech BankSocial. In this role, she works hands-on with distributed ledger technology (DLT), artificial intelligence, and digital asset infrastructure, with a focus on how banks can responsibly adopt emerging technologies while meeting regulatory, security, and governance expectations. • LinkedIn

Stephen Reyes, CISA, CISSP | Partner @ Saltmarsh

Kristen Stogniew, Esq., CFE | Partner @ Saltmarsh

 Kristen works closely with financial institutions to help bankers become more efficient, more effective, and more confident in navigating the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Her work is rooted in the belief that strong relationships and practical guidance not only help institutions meet regulatory expectations but also empower professionals to grow in their roles. She provides guidance and education to compliance officers, BSA officers, executive management teams, and boards of directors. Known for her engaging style, Kristen frequently facilitates industry discussions and serves as the primary emcee for the Florida Bankers Association’s BSA and Consumer Compliance Conferences. She also leads peer groups, the annual BSA Summit, and regulatory forums for the Georgia and Tennessee Bankers Associations. Kristen is also actively involved in financial industry education. She previously taught BSA/AML in the Juris Master’s program at Florida State University College of Law and currently teaches at the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida, the Southeastern Schools of Consumer and Commercial Lending, and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, helping develop the next generation of banking professionals. • LinkedIn  

Josh Strickland, CPA | Partner @ Saltmarsh

Josh is a partner with experience across audit, accounting, and advisory services. He joined Saltmarsh in 2010 and has spent his career focusing on providing audit and advisory services to financial institutions. He brings deep expertise in internal audit, credit quality assessments, and advisory services focused on accounting, financial reporting, operational issues, and risk management.  He also assists with strategic planning and advises on mergers and acquisitions.  Applying a practical approach with sharp critical thinking and proven problem-solving skills, Josh helps banks and credit unions manage risk, overcome complex challenges, and drive sustainable growth. • LinkedIn