The Bank of Tampa Announces Appointments of G. Robert Blanchard, Jr. as Chairman of the Board of Directors and John Touchton as Newest Board Member

Jan. 14, 2025

TAMPA, FL, January 14, 2025 –The Bank of Tampa announced the unanimous election of G. Robert Blanchard, Jr. as Chairman of its Board of Directors and its holding company, the Tampa Bay Banking Company, effective January 1, 2025. Blanchard is succeeding James L. Ferman, Jr., who will remain on the Board as a Director, after more than 26 years of leadership. Blanchard previously served as Vice Chairman of the Company and Chairman of the Audit Committee.

“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,” said Corey Neil, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Bank of Tampa. “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.” 

It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Chairman of The Bank of Tampa. The succession plan for the Bank is important to me, so I’m pleased that Bob is taking on this role,” added Jim Ferman. “His financial acumen and focus on providing value to our clients are great assets, and I’m excited to continue my service on the Board alongside him.”

Blanchard has served on The Bank of Tampa’s Board of Directors since 1997 and his family connection to the Bank dates back to its founding in 1984. He is President of WRB Enterprises, a diversified holding company with more than 50 years of experience in the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America and is a founding partner of  WRB Serra Partners, an investment firm focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency. WRB Enterprises was a founding investor in The Bank of Tampa. Blanchard also serves as Chairman of Blanchard Machinery Company, the Caterpillar dealer for the state of South Carolina.

“I’m thankful for the confidence my fellow Board members have placed in me, and will continue to work for our clients, our shareholders, and our community,” said Blanchard. “I’m looking forward to the great things the Bank will continue to accomplish in the future.”

Blanchard has contributed his time and talents to several community organizations in Tampa over the years. Blanchard currently serves as Trustee at The University of Tampa, where he serves on the executive committee and chairs the strategic planning committee, Board member of The Florida Aquarium, Governor of the Tampa Yacht Club, and is a member of the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations.

Blanchard previously served on the Board of Tampa Metropolitan YMCA, Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, and CenterState Bank (now known as SouthState Bank). He is the past Chairman of The Society of International Business Fellows, an international education and networking organization with over 2,000 members in over 45 different countries. He is also a past member of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Committee of 100 Advisory Board, and the Ybor City Development Corporation. Blanchard graduated from Emory University where he received a BA in Political Science and a BA in Philosophy.

In addition, on December 17, 2024, The Bank of Tampa announced the appointment of John Touchton to the Board of Directors of The Bank of Tampa and its holding company, the Tampa Bay Banking Company. Touchton is a third-generation partner and President of The Witt-Touchton Company, a private investment company in Tampa, Florida.

“We are so fortunate to have John join our Board of Directors,” said Neil, “He is a long-time client, shareholder, and friend of the Bank with deep roots in our Tampa Bay community. I am confident his contributions and leadership will benefit us greatly.”

Prior to his role with The Witt-Touchton Company, Touchton was a founding partner of Bayshore Capital Advisors, and an analyst for Lazard Frères & Co. in New York, with investment responsibility for the banking and financial services industry. Touchton began his career with Bank of America Investment Banking in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He is passionate about his commitment to our community and currently serves on the Board of Directors for TGH Hernando, TGH Citrus, and the First Tee of Tampa Bay, where he serves on its Executive Committee. Previously, he has served on several other community boards, including as Chairman of Tampa General Hospital’s Board of Directors and Berkeley Preparatory School’s Board of Trustees, and as President of CFA Tampa Bay.

Touchton graduated with honors from Washington and Lee University and received an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

About The Bank of Tampa

The Bank of Tampa is one of the largest community banks in the Tampa Bay area. It has been privately held by its employees, directors and clients since the bank’s inception in  in 1984. It has offices in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Manatee counties. The Bank of Tampa’s assets total more than $3.0 billion, with outstanding loans greater than $1.8 billion. Its wealth management practice has more than $1.6 billion total assets under care. To learn more, visit www.thebankoftampa.com, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Susanne Powers
(813) 998-2725
spowers@bankoftampa.com