Leadership
Curt Gabardi
President, Chief Executive Officer
What inspired you to be a banker?
I wanted to impact lives. For colleagues I work with or clients that I often advise, I realize that my experiences over time can favorably change outcomes or lead to self- actualizing life opportunities, personally and professionally.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
To be a founder of one of the most exciting and successful banking brands in the southeast if not industry wide with people that I deeply care about. Founding Metropolitan was one of the proudest moments of my career that ultimately led me and others to this story and becoming Story Financial Partners.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
For me, it’s always been about determination and persistence in achieving one’s goals while, at the same time, never underestimating the power of an impassioned small group of people to achieve something special and unique.
Curt Gabardi
President, Chief Executive Officer
Pam Gordon
President, Chief Operating Officer
What inspired you to be a banker?
I was inspired to be a banker because of my mom. Growing up, watching her building an impactful career in banking showed me the power of helping others feel secure, supported, and confident in their financial lives. She made a difference in the community every day, and I knew I wanted to do the same.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
Being able to work with a team of talented bankers and support them in our different communities that the Bank serves. If the team has the resources that they need to make a difference to our clients every day, I feel that we are a success.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Pam Gordon
President, Chief Operating Officer
Brian Rippee
Chief Banking Officer
What do you consider your greatest achievement in banking?
Growing Story to triple its size in 5 years.
What are some organizations you are involved with?
I am honored to be able to serve the community in a number of ways, including board positions at the Country Club of Jackson, the Kidney Foundation, the 100 Club, the Investment Committee for Community Foundation and the Diabetes Foundation.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Bring value to everything you do.”
Brian Rippee
Chief Banking Officer
NMLS #595102
Melissa P. Dambro
Chief Talent Officer
What are your hobbies or interests?
Singing/listening to music, watching French Chateau renovations, and collecting antique porcelain and glassware.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing; that is enough for one man’s life.” – T.S. Eliot
Melissa Dambro
Chief Talent Officer
Ruth Eiland
Chief Financial Officer
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
Being entrusted as the Chief Financial Officer.
What community organizations do you actively serve?
I am proud to be a member of the MRA Gardens Steering Committee.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Stories connect what numbers can’t – who we are, why we care, and what we stand for.”
Ruth Eiland
Chief Financial Officer
Sam Lane
Chief Development Officer
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
Being a founding member of First Commercial Bank, now Story Financial Partners.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I enjoy following Ole Miss sports and collecting art from Mississippi artists.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Sam Lane
Chief Development Officer
NMLS #535710
Jamie Chustz
Chief Commercial Real Estate Banking Officer
Where did you go to school?
I attended Mississippi State University for my undergraduate degree and obtained a double major in Banking and Finance and Real Estate graduating in December 1996. I then obtained my MBA at Millsaps College.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I enjoy travel with my family, tennis, hunting and outdoor activities.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Make each day your masterpiece” – John Wooden.
Jamie Chustz
Chief Commercial Real Estate Banking Officer
NMLS #2243516
Freddie Rowell
Chief Mortgage Banking Officer
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
I consider my greatest achievement is having the majority of my staff has worked for me over 15 years, 3 of them over 25 years!
What are your hobbies or interests?
I farm cattle and grow crops and am an avid duck hunter.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.” – Henry Ford
Freddie Rowell
Chief Mortgage Banking Officer
NMLS #595103
Thomas Harrison
Director of Treasury Management
What inspired you to be a banker?
My mother inspired me to become a banker. I watched her enjoy a successful and rewarding 50-year banking career.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
Being a part of building and developing a team of Treasury Management experts who provide a premier experience to our Story business clients.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.”
Thomas Harrison
Director of Treasury Management
Managing Directors – Jackson
Dawson Graves
Senior Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
I actually never wanted to be a banker. I took this job right out of college, and fell in love with the place, the people, and the industry. I’ve loved it ever since.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
My favorite thing to do is help finance businesses that someone has always dreamed of doing and watching them have incredible success.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Don’t complain – just work harder.
You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you can be kind to anyone.
Dawson Graves
Senior Managing Director
NMLS #1888242
Hannah McGraw
Associate Managing Director, Treasury Management Advisor
What inspired you to be a banker?
In 2015, I had dinner with some friends of my mom’s. They saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. They continued to believe in me, mentor me, encourage and challenge me. Their belief in me lit the spark that started my journey in banking and their continued support has helped shape who I am today.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I love to read, travel, and spend time near the water – whether it’s the beach, a boat, or being outside by the lake. I’m also into calligraphy!
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Hannah McGraw
Managing Director, Treasury Management
Elisa Phillips
Senior Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
My father encouraged me in high school to pursue a business degree – particularly in banking or accounting—explaining that more women were entering management roles in the business world and that I had the potential to succeed in that path.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
Being a female commercial managing director in a primarily male dominated industry.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4: 6-7
Elisa Phillips
Senior Managing Director
NMLS #535714
Hank Waterer
Managing Director, Private Client
What inspired you to be a banker?
Growing up with a medical family, I always saw their jobs as helping people. While I did not pursue the medical route, I see the same opportunity in banking and finance to help people.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
My greatest achievement in banking has been leveraging available resources to build strong relationships within my local community, helping to promote growth and drive positive development in Jackson.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Focusing our energy on the controllable inputs is the most effective way to maximize financial outputs over time.” – Jeff Bezos.
Hank Waterer
Managing Director, Private Client
NMLS #1201254
Cameron Wurm
Associate Managing Director
NMLS #2850059
Managing Directors – Ridgeland
Nathan Best
Senior Managing Director
What led you to Story Financial Partners?
The opportunity to connect with and serve a new generation of business owners and clients just beginning their careers.
What inspired you to be a banker?
My great-grandfather founded a bank after returning from the Korean war. He is one of my heroes and greatest role models. If I can come close to the career and legacy he built, both professionally and personally, I’ll consider that an incredible success.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Watching my kids play sports, coaching basketball, playing golf and pickleball, and pursuing different athletic/fitness challenges.
What’s your favorite quote or motto?
“Work, not wish.”
Nathan Best
Senior Managing Director
NMLS #1138939
Bryan Nesbit
Senior Managing Director
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
The opportunity to be an intrapreneur of sorts in building a new line of business in residential construction lending has been truly rewarding. Through our efforts, we have established Story Financial Partners as a trusted partner in the local construction lending community and are well respected by our clients and peer financial institutions.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I have been a soccer referee at youth, high school, NCAA and adult levels. I also enjoy keeping fit and following Mississippi State sports.
What’s your favorite quote or motto?
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
Bryan Nesbit
Senior Managing Director
NMLS #2313977
June Owens
Senior Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
My sister. After a few years in public accounting, I was ready for a new challenge. She worked for Wells Fargo out of college and sold me on the wide breadth of people and businesses I would be introduced to and able to help.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I enjoy spending time with my family, swimming, running and relaxing!
What’s your favorite quote or motto?
Better to fail at doing the right thing than to succeed at doing the wrong thing.
June Owens
Senior Managing Director
NMLS #595100
Elizabeth Wilcox Purcell
Managing Director, Private Client
What inspired you to be a banker?
“Private banking is like a sorority recruitment”- a mentor once told me this while at Ole Miss and being that I was serving as rush chair that same year, I thought, I may be a good fit for Private Banking. Just like recruiting new members to join your sorority and then pledging, Private Banking allows me to invite new clients into our banking family.
Any Public Speaking Engagements or Panels?
2019 RMA Women in Banking- Mentoring Champions- Speaker and Panelist
What’s your favorite quote or motto?
Refuse to be average.
Elizabeth Purcell
Managing Director, Private Client
NMLS #1670951
Managing Directors – Flowood
Wade Higgins
Associate Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
What inspired me most was the idea that, as a banker, you’re not just managing numbers, you’re helping people bring ideas to life and make a lasting impact on the community.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
I consider my greatest achievement in banking as helping multiple small businesses structure deals that make sense both financially and strategically and seeing that first project turn into several more. Playing a small role in helping customers build something lasting is incredibly rewarding.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
My favorite quote is a short, but universally applicable one from the late Jimmy Valvano. “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
Wade Higgins
Associate Managing Director
NMLS #1708912
Tonya Leach
Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
In high school, I discovered a love for numbers and detail through an accounting class. After graduation, I was still deciding on a career path when my local bank began hiring. I applied, accepted the opportunity, and the rest is history.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
Throughout my banking career, I have held a variety of roles and embraced every opportunity to learn. Even when a responsibility fell outside my position, I wanted to understand its purpose and how it contributed to the bank’s overall success. Banking has given me a career where I could keep learning, broaden my perspective, and understand how each role works together to make the organization stronger.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Change is inevitable; embrace it, adapt gracefully, and avoid making it harder for those around you.
Tonya Leach
Managing Director
NMLS #642288
Managing Directors – Oxford
Lucius Brock
Senior Managing Director, Market President
What inspired you to be a banker?
My favorite movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. George Bailey, the protagonist, was a banker and loved by all in his community as he truly cared for his town and his customers and always put their needs before himself. The definition of a selfless leader.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Coaching my son’s baseball team, golf, college sporting events, family trips.
What community organizations do you actively serve?
I am an active member at Christ Presbyterian Church Oxford, MS.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Do the right thing.” – my dad.
Lucius Brock
Senior Managing Director, Market President
NMLS #508045
Lynn Carson
Senior Managing Director, Regional Commercial Strategies
What was your first job in banking or finance?
Teller at First National Bank in Oxford while in grad school.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
My greatest achievements in banking have always been being involved and contributing to the success of my clients.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Hunting, traveling, always looking for a music concert to attend.
Lynn Carson
Senior Managing Director, Regional Commercial Strategies
NMLS #595083
James Young
Associate Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
I knew I wanted to do something in finance. I decided to go into banking because I liked the idea of helping people turn their dream into a reality. Being a part of a client’s success story continues to be the most inspiring part of my job.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
As one of the first people hired at our Oxford office, I have greatly enjoyed experiencing the growth and success we have had in this market over the past 8 years.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Always treat others how you would want to be treated.
James Young
Associate Managing Director
NMLS #2743689
Managing Directors – Southaven
Justin Bobo
DeSoto County Market President, Senior Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
Banking was something I never considered until after I graduated college and entered the job market. A friend in the industry suggested I had the right skills, so I decided to give it a try. I was hired on my first interview and never looked back.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Hunting and music concerts.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Experience is the teacher of all things.” – Julius Caesar
Justin Bobo
Senior Managing Director, Market President
NMLS #754146
Bobby McRee
Senior Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
I always looked to bankers as folks that truly helped people to do better in life. I enjoy helping people.
Any Public Speaking Engagements or Panels?
I have been a board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 16+ years and a director/organizer for the annual Special Olympics Track & Field games in my community.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Try to live by and exude the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Bobby McRee
Senior Managing Director
NMLS #663598
Managing Directors – Memphis
Matthew A. Wages
Senior Managing Director, Memphis Market President
What inspired you to be a banker?
A high school friend’s dad was a market leader with Southtrust Bank while I was growing up and I remember always asking him questions about his job. He told me when I was graduating high school that I should consider banking for a career.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Golf, traveling with my family, and Auburn sports
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Be curious, not judgmental.”
Matthew Wages
Senior Managing Director, Market President
NMLS #2637561
Kera Cooper
Senior Managing Director, Private Client
What inspired you to be a banker?
Great mentors and a leadership team who all taught me the value of building trusting relationships and what it means to provide an excellent client experience. I knew I wanted to make banking my career the moment I received my first client referral; realizing they trusted me enough to send their friends and family my way solidified the realization that I added value to their day-to-day banking needs. That was very impactful.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
The leadership team having enough faith in me to launch our story in the Memphis, TN market. The moment our first Memphis client made a deposit, is when my “brick” became a reality.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Traveling and collecting watercolor art from each destination; baseball; running; music; attending son’s sporting events.
Kera Cooper
Senior Managing Director, Private Client
NMLS #1160613
Sarah Haney
Managing Director, Treasury Management
What inspired you to be a banker?
I never planned on being a banker. When I started working on Metropolitan in 2012, I started learning the nuts and bolts of banking and more than anything, I enjoyed the people I worked with.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Spending time with friends, reading, stationary cycling, and running.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Great things never come from comfort zones.
Sarah Haney
Managing Director, Treasury Management
NMLS #1720215
Karissa Norman
Managing Director, Private Client
What inspired you to be a banker?
I enjoy most helping people achieve their financial goals, while also educating them on credit and financial services and products that are available and beneficial to them.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I like to read, travel, and spend time with family and friends.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
The Golden Rule to treat others how you would like to be treated.
Karissa Norman
Managing Director, Private Client
NMLS #1064596
Managing Directors – Huntsville
Chris Allen
Senior Managing Director, Market President
NMLS #1221582
Kirsten Tidwell
Associate Managing Director
What inspired you to be a banker?
I graduated college right before the worst of the pandemic. After searching for a job during a massive hiring freeze nationwide, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I went into the bank and was helped by Vickie Patton. She was so knowledgeable and personable and was able to help me with my banking needs, something I had next to no knowledge about. She had been so helpful, I asked if the bank was hiring – they were. I put in my resume and the rest was history. Vickie is now one of my closest friends and mentors. She showed me how meaningful it is to have a great banker in your corner, and how much of a difference you can make in someone’s day and ultimately their life. I strive to do the same in my career.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
Being a part of an incredible team that truly makes a difference in our clients’ lives. We all work together with a common goal of helping others, and we have fun pursuing the goal together. It makes it fun to come to work, and I think that’s incredibly special.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Do your best and forget the rest” – I knew this growing up from my dad telling me to not worry about things out of my control but later found out he learned the quote from Tony Horton, the leader of his P90-X workouts. We laugh about it now, but the motto still rings true for me.
Kirsten Tidwell
Associate Managing Director
NMLS #2450871
Lauren Valavicius
Associate Managing Director, Private Client Banking
NMLS #2490904
Mortgage Team
Trust Team
Ashley Sims
Director of Trust Services
Ashley Sims is a banking and financial analysis professional with more than 20 years of regulatory and trust experience. Before joining Story Financial Partners, she served as a Bank Examiner and Trust Specialist with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance and most recently worked in Loan Review with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Ashley earned a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi and is a graduate of the ABA National Graduate Trust School and the LSU Graduate School of Banking.
Ashley Sims
Director of Trust Services
Joslyn Day
Associate Trust Officer
NMLS #1884291
Deonte Sanders
Trust Advisor
What inspired you to be a banker?
I originally set out to become a CPA and took a temporary role in trust as part of that journey. But as I got involved, especially in the early stages of estate planning, I saw how much value I could bring by helping people make thoughtful, lasting decisions. That’s what inspired me to stay and build a career in this field.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
One of my greatest achievements in banking has been developing a strong, capable trust team at Story and leading the department to consistent profitability. Since stepping into the Chief Trust Officer role in 2021, I’ve focused not only on growing our client base and services, but also on mentoring team members and supporting their professional development. Seeing our team members advance in their careers while building a department that is both financially successful and deeply trusted by our clients has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a reflection of shared commitment, strong collaboration, and a clear vision for long-term impact.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Forget all the reasons why it won’t work, and believe the one reason why it will.
Deonte Sanders
Trust Advisor
Julie Humphreys
Trust Administrator
What inspired you to be a banker?
I was actually looking for a change from my previous employer when I came across the opportunity for a Trust Administrator at Story. I wasn’t necessarily looking to get into banking, but the position sounded interesting, so I decided to explore it. What really stood out to me was the people I met throughout the interview process. I enjoyed getting to know the team and learning more about the role, and it felt like it could be a good fit. Six months in, I’m still learning something new every day, but I really enjoy the people, the work, and getting a better understanding of the banking and trust industry.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
My role is to handle special projects and oversight that trust transactions are reported accurately, and I am fortunate that the Trust Team has welcomed me and accepted me so quickly.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Work smarter, not harder!
Julie Humphreys
Trust Administrator
Courtney Williams
Director of Trust Operations
What inspired you to be a banker?
Deonte Sanders played a significant role in inspiring me to pursue a career in banking. What stood out to me most was his genuine love for what he did and the pride he took in his work. His passion was contagious, and it encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and pursue a career that would challenge me, allow me to grow, and give me the opportunity to make a difference.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in Banking?
One of my greatest achievements in banking is being part of a team that continues to grow and strengthen our Trust Department while maintaining the highest standards of service and excellence. I take pride in contributing to our team’s success and being part of a department that is constantly evolving and striving to be better.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
Lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and always strive for excellence.
Courtney Williams
Director of Trust Operations