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Published: August 08 2012

BOCA RATON, FL-- As part of its ongoing expansion, Boca Raton-based First Southern Bank announced today that it has added two new key executives to its offices in the South Florida Region. John G. Klumpp has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer; and Drew Saito has joined the bank as a Senior Vice President/Commercial Lender.  Both will be based in the bank’s corporate office in Boca Raton.
 
As SVP/CIO, John Klumpp will oversee the day to day operations of First Southern Bank’s corporate technology architecture and systems.  He will be responsible for managing the support and delivery of information systems to customers and employees across all channels including the bank’s branches, ATM’s, the Internet and mobile devices. He will also maintain a significant role in ensuring the safety of the bank’s online and technological systems, and will be responsible for partnering with industry leaders in the acquisition and deployment of technology solutions.  As SVP/Commercial Lender, Drew Saito will focus on generating new business and developing relationships with top quality companies and their principals throughout South Florida.  Saito specializes in real estate lending, commercial banking and cash management services.
 
“Both John and Drew are seasoned executives who will play key roles in First Southern’s expansion and ongoing dedication to providing the best banking systems and service to our clients,” said Lynne Wines, President and CEO of First Southern Bank. “John will oversee and drive all of our IT initiatives and integrated business solutions to provide first-rate services to our clients in our markets throughout Florida, and Drew will be paramount in generating new business and building strong relationships with our clients in the South Florida region.”
 
The addition of Klumpp and Saito is part of the bank’s growth strategy in the state of Florida.  First Southern Bank launched its expansion plans in early 2010 designed to reach more clients in more markets by taking advantage of FDIC-assisted transactions. As a result, assets of the bank grew from approximately $400 million to approximately $1 billion, the number of branches grew from only five in South Florida to fifteen in three of the state’s largest population centers, and the number of client accounts grew from approximately 5,400 to approximately 17,500.
 
Klumpp most recently served as Senior Vice President and IT Director of Florida Community Bank in Naples, Florida where he oversaw the complete build out of the bank’s IT department from start-up to $3.5 billion in 44 locations in just 18 months.  He previously held the positions of SVP and CIO at the Bank of Florida from August 2008 to March 2012 and First National Bank of Florida from October 2001 to March 2005, both in Naples.  In between, from March 2005 to August 2008, he ran his own small business consulting firm. Klumpp received his BSA in Finance from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, in 1984 and continued his education at LSU Graduate School of Banking.  He was a past board member of the American Diabetes Association and a Loaned Executive with the United Way. He currently resides in Naples.
 
Saito, in addition to his position as SVP/Commercial Lender at First Southern Bank, currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at The Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.   Prior to joining First Southern Bank, he served as Senior Vice President/Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking with CNL Bank for over 5 years where he was named 2010 "Relationship Manager of the Year."  Before that, he held the position of Assistant Vice President with Regions Bank, and Equitable Bank, prior to that. Saito earned his B.S. double major in Finance and International Business from Florida State University, his MBA from Nova Southeastern University and is also currently attending the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is currently Vice-Chair of Development for the United Way of Broward County, Chair for the United Way's 11th Annual Red & White event, a former committee member for the Broward Center of Performing Art's Ghost Light Society and a member of Leadership Broward's Class 28. He has been Media Day program chair for Leadership Broward's Class 29 and 30. Drew is also involved with fundraising for the Jason Taylor Foundation.
 
As part of its commitment to organic growth, in addition to John Klumpp and Drew Saito, First Southern Bank recently announced a number of key hires throughout the state.  Tracy L. Keegan was brought in as the bank’s new EVP/CFO & COO; Joseph A. Losch as SVP/Market Executive, Central Region; Bill Kelley as EVP/Head of Community Banking; Lynda Napolitano as SVP/Commercial Lender; and Michael Samuel as SVP/Commercial Lender, Central Florida Region. Additionally, Matt Greene was elevated to the position of SVP/Market President of the Northern Florida Region.
 
First Southern Bancorp (OTC Bulletin Board: FSOF) had total consolidated assets of $1.2 billion at June 30, 2012. The Company provides comprehensive banking products and services through its First Southern Bank franchise. First Southern’s strong capital positions it as one of the most secure banks in the United States. The bank serves Northeast, South and Central Florida with 15 locations in St. Johns, Broward, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Seminole and Volusia counties.