Bank names community president for market

SARASOTA — Jim Kuhlman, former CEO and president of Premier Community Bank, has been named community president for CenterState Bank’s Sarasota/Manatee market, effective immediately.

Kuhlman will lead commercial and retail banking for both counties, according to a press release. Shaun Merriman will continue in his role as regional president for the west Florida region of CenterState.

Prior to Premier Community Bank, Kuhlman was market president for Stonegate Bank in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. He was the founding president and CEO of Florida Shores Bank until its merger with Stonegate Bank in 2014. He was also area president for Colonial Bank after its acquisition of the former Premier Community Bank in 2003, which Kuhlman founded as CEO in 1996. Prior to that, Kuhlman was city executive for SunTrust Bank in Manatee County.

Kuhlman also served for 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

“We are delighted to have Jim leading our local team of commercial and retail banking professionals," says Merriman in the statement. "Having 30+ years of banking experience in our market, Jim has built a wealth of knowledge and is a proven leader, which will significantly contribute to the bank’s strong growth in our community.”

As part of the expanding management team reporting to Kuhlman, Brian Hall, area executive/commercial team leader, will continue to oversee commercial banking for Sarasota County, the release states. Chris Perkins has joined the team as area executive/commercial team leader for the Manatee County commercial banking team. Also reporting to Kuhlman is Cindy Denison, retail market manager, who oversees all nine branches across both counties, including three branches recently added through the merger with Premier as part of the National Bank of Commerce merger.

CenterState Bank is a $17 billion Florida-based bank operating in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.