8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)     March 8, 2011
Southern First Bancshares, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
South Carolina
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
000-27719	58-2459561
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
100 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 100, Greenville, SC	29606
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
(864) 679-9000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing
obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02.  APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

(c) On March 8, 2011, Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company"), announced that Michael D. Dowling, 39, has been named Chief Financial Officer of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Southern First Bank, N.A. (the "Bank").  

Mr. Dowling was previously employed with KPMG LLP where he served most recently as an audit partner.  He has been with KPMG since 1994 where he was a member of their Financial Services practice.  Mr. Dowling has extensive experience working with public companies and financial institutions and was admitted to the KPMG partnership as an audit partner in 2005.  Mr. Dowling is a 1993 graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Accounting and is a certified public accountant in North Carolina, and South Carolina. 

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

            (d)        Exhibits

            Exhibit No.      Exhibit

            99.1                 Press Release announcing the appointment of Michael D. Dowling as chief financial officer.

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SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                                                                                        SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

                                                                                                                        By:       /s/ R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.                       

                                                                                                                        Name:  R. Arthur Seaver, Jr.

                                                                                                                        Title:    Chief Executive Officer

Dated: March 8, 2011

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

NumberDescription

99.1        Press Release announcing the appointment of Michael D. Dowling as chief financial officer.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FINANCIAL CONTACT: JUSTIN STRICKLAND  803-223-6410

MEDIA CONTACT: ART SEAVER  864-679-9010

WEB SITE:www.southernfirst.com

Southern First Bank Hires Chief Financial Officer

Greenville, SC, March 8, 2011 - Southern First Bank announced today that Michael D. Dowling, age 39, has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank, a subsidiary of Southern First Bancshares, Inc.  Effective March 17, 2011, Dowling will begin his new role at Southern First.

Mr. Dowling was previously employed with KPMG LLP where he served most recently as an audit partner.  He has been with KPMG since 1994 where he was a member of their Financial Services practice.  Mr. Dowling has extensive experience working with public companies and financial institutions and was admitted to the KPMG partnership as an audit partner in 2005.  Mr. Dowling is a 1993 graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Accounting and is a certified public accountant in North Carolina and South Carolina. 

“We interviewed numerous candidates for the role of CFO, all of which were qualified to perform in this capacity, but Mike Dowling has that intangible that made him the right fit for our team.  He is the right person, at the right time.  Mike’s experience and leadership skills will add significant strength to our leadership team,” said Art Seaver, CEO of Southern First Bank. 

Mr. Dowling will begin the transition to move his family to Greenville from Charlotte immediately.  “Mike and his wife Lisa have family and friends in Greenville which will make the move somewhat of a homecoming for them and their three children,” Seaver added.  “Our family is excited about becoming a part of the Greenville community and the Southern First family”, said Mike Dowling.