Banking veteran promoted to prominent new role

TAMPA — Cadence Bank has promoted Teresa Stinson to executive vice president of its Florida commercial banking operations.

Stinson succeeds John Watts, a Polk County native whose unexpected death in April stunned the Houston-based bank. In an interview with the Business Observer, Stinson — who served under Watts as a senior commercial relationship manager — referred to him as “the world’s greatest boss and friend.”

According to a press release, Stinson brings more than 32 years of retail and commercial banking experience to the role. She joined Cadence Bank in 2012, the same year as Watts, after working at Barnett Bank, Bank of America and Wachovia.

“Teresa has been a valuable part of our commercial banking team since 2012 and will bring tremendous value to this leadership role,” states Sam Tortorici, CEO of Cadence Bank, in the release. “She is driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of her clients and to work collaboratively in identifying the best solutions to help her clients and her team be successful. With Teresa’s guidance, we look forward to continued growth in Florida and appreciate the support of our loyal clients.”

Cadence Bank boasts some $17.4 billion in assets and operates 98 branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.