Mr. Bennett has served as Executive Director of External Affairs for First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (First Citizens) in Columbia, South Carolina since January 2024, having previously served as South Region Mid-South Area Executive from January 2015 to January 2024, in addition to other leadership roles with First Citizens. Before joining First Citizens, Mr. Bennett became the youngest bank president in South Carolina when he was named President of Victory Savings Bank in 1989. Mr. Bennett has been actively involved with the Columbia Urban League for more than 35 years, serving previously as League Chairman, and is a former chairman of the board of Claflin University, a private, historically black university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Mr. Bennett currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Midlands Business Leadership Group and as a member of the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation and Development Foundation. He is a member of the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and former chair of the South Carolina Bankers Association. Mr. Bennett received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and is a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School. Mr. Bennett has extensive leadership and talent management skills from his management and operating responsibilities in the banking industry, which helps our Board with strategic planning and with its oversight of the company s efforts to develop and retain a talented workforce. He has financial and risk management expertise and familiarity with public policy and customer service concerns from his work in the regulated financial services sector, developing the skills needed to oversee the company s financial needs and risk management. He has demonstrated a commitment to the community and non-profit organizations within South Carolina, fostering connections with our customers. Through his tenure on the board of directors of SCANA Corporation (SCANA), Mr. Bennett has relevant corporate governance and public company board experience, assisting our Board with transparency, accountability and effectiveness.