Private Bank of Decatur continues growth with addition of Tommy Lester

Private Bank of Buckhead has named Tommy L. Lester, III, as Vice President and Relationship Manager. He will be based out of the Private Bank of Decatur location, and service customers across the Metro area. He brings 18 years of banking experience in Atlanta, as well as 15 years as an entrepreneur.

“Tommy not only has solid banking experience, during which he has helped many individuals and small business owners, especially including many professionals in healthcare, but also has been an entrepreneur himself, so he brings a unique and valuable perspective to the way he helps customers,” says the bank’s Rob Beall, who is Senior Vice President & Senior Lending Officer. “We are excited to have him join our team.”

Lester previously worked with PNC as well as other area banks. Has also has owned and co-owned several businesses, including real estate property management, a laundromat, a semi-pro basketball team, and a private-label chemical manufacturer.

“My business and banking experience combine to give me an understanding of the challenges and opportunities business owners face, so I can help them better address those as their banking partner,” Lester says.

The Atlanta native holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Hampton University, and an MBA from Georgia Tech. While at Tech he served as President and Treasurer of the Graduate Evening Management Students, and was voted by his peers as the Evening MBA Student of the Year.

“The best part of being in banking is interacting with people from greatly diverse backgrounds and industries and being able to say, ‘I helped them achieve their goals,’” Lester says.

He is a member of Leadership DeKalb class of 2015, and recently joined the United Way’s DeKalb County Advisory Board. He previously served as 2014 co-chair of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee, and has served as a board member for the Big Kidz Foundation and the STAR Neuroscience Foundation. Lester and his wife of 15 years, Jennifer Shephard Lester, reside in Stone Mountain with their daughter Temple.

Private Bank of Decatur brings a private banking approach to all clients across all functions of the bank. The bank is designated a Preferred Lender by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and includes a dedicated mortgage solutions unit, PrivatePlus Mortgage. It is located at 150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue in Decatur, at the corner of Ponce and Church Street. The mortgage division is represented there and does business nationally.