Tampa

Lauren Fernandez is a native Tampa resident. After graduating from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in finance, she started her banking career at SunTrust. Ms. Fernandez has worked at banks of all sizes, from local community banks to global institutions. She has broad experience within the banking industry, including underwriting, relationship management, business development, and strategic leadership.

Over the years, Ms. Fernandez has been very engaged in the community serving on multiple organizational boards, and currently serves on the Florida Aquarium Board of Directors.

Read more »

J. Kevin Riffey graduated from Jacksonville State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and a masters degree in business administration. He began his banking career as a relationship manager in commercial banking and quickly transitioned into SBA lending. Kevin has specialized in SBA lending since 1997 and is experienced in establishing SBA programs that benefit the local community.

He serves multiple organizations within the Tampa Bay community, including Heart Walk Tampa Bay, Rough Riders, and Feeding Tampa Bay.

Read more »

Miranda Pedersen started her banking career in 2003 at SouthTrust Bank and has worked in both Retail and commercial banking for community and middle market banks. For over 18 years, Miranda has worked in the Tampa Bay market cultivating relationships with business owners and entrepreneurs focused on growing their businesses. Miranda helped open the South Tampa location of Bay Cities Bank in 2007, and, in May of 2013, she moved to the Treasury Management team.

She continued to expand her knowledge in banking working with Centennial Bank after the Bay Cities Bank and Centennial Bank merger.

Read more »

Leah Pearson joined Bank of Central Florida in February 2022. After earning her degree in International Business at Wichita State University, she started her career in Kansas. Leah moved to Florida 11 years ago where she worked at Wells Fargo as a Personal Banker and Branch Manager. During her time there she also worked under Wells Fargo Advisors as a Brokerage Associate, supporting small business owners with their complex retirement, trust and estate planning needs. Most recently, Leah worked as a Retail Market Manager at Synovus Bank.

At Synovus, she served in various roles within relationship management, business development and branch leadership. Leah co-led several corporate and market projects including bank wide product rollouts, digital presence initiatives, and served as a point of contact for other new Market Managers. Leah has been an Advisory Board Member for the Bob Sierra YMCA in Tampa; she's also served as a member of the Carrollwood Area Business Association. Leah brings unique perspectives to the table and works closely with clients to facilitate a personal banking experience.

Read more »

Paul Hayman has developed commercial relationships with business owners and executives for 13 years. After graduating from the University of Florida with a master's degree in Agribusiness and bachelor's degree in Political Science, Paul began his career at Farm Credit. He spent the past eight years at Wells Fargo with the Commercial Banking National Agribusiness Group, Greater Tampa Bay Banking Group, and the Polk/Pasco Banking Group.

Paul Hayman is a 6th generation native Floridian, with family connectivity in Tampa dating back to the 1850's. Paul relocated from Lakeland to the Tampa area in 2019, where he now serves our clients with their commercial needs.

Read more »

Jason Soos joined the Bank of Central Florida in April of 2021. He is a graduate of Florida State University, with a Bachelor of Social Science degree. Jason also received a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Florida International University. Jason has more than 15 years of combined experience in sales and banking.

He began his banking career as a commercial banker for BB&T in the Tampa market. Most recently, he was a business banker for Synovus, serving clients in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties. Jason has worked very closely with the Tampa Bay Chamber, where he has served as an ambassador, a member of Emerging Leaders, and as a member of the Small Business of the Year Award committee.

Read more »