Dade City bank promotes COO to president and CEO

Jim Esry has been promoted to president and CEO of First National Bank of Pasco. He joined the Dade City-based bank in July 2022 and previously served as senior executive vice president, COO and director of enterprise risk management.

According to a news release, Esry succeeds Steven Hickman, who resigned April 10, citing citing personal and health reasons and a desire to spend more time with his family. Prior to joining FNB, Esry was president and CEO of Lafayette State Bank in Mayo, a small town in rural Lafayette County, between Gainesville and Tallahassee.

Esry, the release states, has been overseeing the bank’s risk management procedures for new product innovation and its loan operations team.

“Jim’s promotion to president and CEO reflects our confidence in his leadership, demonstrated over the past few months as we have pursued our goal of better products and services for our customers through the power of innovative technology,” states Ander Gibbs, chair of the board at FNB, in the release. “He has helped our team achieve tremendous progress toward this goal.”

Founded in 1986, FNB, with more than $300 million in total assets, is headquartered in Dade City and has branches in Zephyrhills, Lutz and Tampa.  

“I appreciate the continued confidence of our board of directors as we pursue technology-enhanced products and services that our customers want and expect,” Esry states in the release. “Our trademarked slogan is ‘The Official Bank of the American Dream.’ If enhanced products and services help our clients achieve their dreams, we’re in.”