UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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ITEM 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On January 25, 2023, Michael D. Dowling, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) and Southern First Bank (the “Bank” and together with the Company, the “Employer”), notified the Employer that he is resigning from his roles with the Employer, effective February 15, 2023.
Mr. Dowling added, “I want to thank the Board and management team for the opportunity to serve at Southern First over the past twelve years. This announcement is so personally difficult as Southern First has had a profound impact on my life. I am humbly proud of the many accomplishments we have achieved together, and I leave knowing Southern First has a bright future ahead. I have accepted a position to lead a large sophisticated medical group, which happens to be a long-standing client of the bank. This will be a different and challenging opportunity, but one in which I will continue to serve and impact lives.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Mike for his leadership and contributions over the past twelve years and wish him success in his new endeavor,” said Art Seaver, Chief Executive Officer. “Our success is built on Impacting Lives. We are honored to have shared that with Mike, and he with us.”
Brief Biography for Michael D. Dowling
Mike has served as Southern First’s executive vice president and chief financial officer since 2011 and as our chief operating officer since July 2019. He has over 25 years of experience in the banking industry. Mr. Dowling was previously employed with KPMG LLP from 1994 until 2011, including most recently as an Audit Partner (2005-2011) and a member of KPMG’s Financial Services practice. He is a 1993 graduate of Clemson University, with a degree in Accounting and is a certified public accountant in South Carolina and North Carolina.
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 | ||
| January 27, 2023 |