Southern First appoints Bryan Kennedy to board of directors

Southern First Bancshares Inc. (SFST) has announced the appointment of Bryan Kennedy to its board of directors, effective June 1, 2026. Kennedy will also serve as a member of the Risk Committee. The appointment is intended to leverage his commercial banking and public company governance experience.

Kennedy recently retired after a 43-year career in commercial banking, during which he held leadership roles at institutions including SouthState Bank, First Charlotte Bank, Park Meridian Bank, and Regions Bank. He also founded Park Sterling Bank in 2006 and currently serves as Lead Independent Director of Cato Corporation. His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of North Carolina.

The addition of Kennedy to the board reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance structure and enhance strategic oversight. The appointment was disclosed in a recent SEC Form 8-K filing.