Tampa community bank elects first new chairman in quarter-century

The Bank of Tampa has recently made a few changes to its board, most notably electing a new chairman. G. Robert Blanchard Jr., who has been on the board since 1997 and whose father was one of the founding investors of the bank, now serves as chairman. 

Blanchard replaces James L. Ferman Jr. in the chair role, who will remain on the board. 

Blanchard currently serves in leadership roles at WRB Enterprises, a diversified holding company, WRB Serra Partners, an energy-focused investment firm and Blanchard Machinery Company, the Caterpillar dealer for the state of South Carolina.

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Blanchard has also volunteered his time in leadership roles at University of Tampa, Tampa Metropolitan YMCA, Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, and CenterState Bank (now known as SouthState Bank), to name a few, according to a statement.  

“The Bank of Tampa is focused on consistency and longevity to effectively serve our clients for generations to come. This succession plan of our chairman has been in the works for quite a while and has occurred according to that plan. We are glad to be able to facilitate this graceful transition of leadership within our broader Bank family,” says Corey Neil, president and CEO of The Bank of Tampa in the statement. “Jim Ferman’s commitment to our Bank has been steadfast. We are grateful he will remain a Director and are indebted to him for his years of leadership.”

Additionally, John Touchton will join the board of the bank and its holding company, the Tampa Bay Banking Co.. Touchton is a third-generation partner and president of the Witt-Touchton Company, a private investment company in Tampa.

The Bank of Tampa is one of the largest community banks serving the Tampa Bay area. Founded in 1984, it has offices in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Manatee counties with assets totaling more than $3.0 billion.