Perry Tomlinson

With over 30 years in the banking industry, Perry Tomlinson has gained a reputation for excellence in the world of retail and commercial banking, and for being a leader in change management, team building, coaching, and strategy. 

Recently retired from BB&T, Tomlinson served as the North Georgia Regional President since 2002 until July 2013.  He was instrumental in transforming several community banks in the region into the BB&T culture, resulting in #1 Deposit Market Share within the 11 North Georgia counties.  Additionally, he expanded the BB&T brand awareness by achieving Client Service metrics ranked #3 in the entire BB&T 36 region footprint.  During his 11 year tenure as Regional President, he directed all banking activities and corporate objectives of the $1.6 Billion banking region with 28 offices and nearly 300 associates in the area of profitability, quality and growth. 

Within the BB&T Training and Development curriculum, Tomlinson completed an extensive series of Leadership Development courses including several courses offered through Farr Associates, BB&T’s leadership development consulting firm, in Mastering Leadership Dynamics and Critical Thinking.  He was certified as a Richardson Sales and Negotiating Workshop facilitator and led sessions for over 100 Commercial Calling Officers.  Tomlinson also facilitated training several hundred Commercial Relationship Managers in the Consultative Sales and Retention Process, led and facilitated over 500 Retail associates in the “Retail Best of the Best” program, and led development sessions centered on BB&T’s Leadership Culture.  He partnered with members of Executive Management in bank wide leadership presentations and facilitated many meetings with fellow members of the Corporation’s Senior Leadership Team.      

Tomlinson served in Leadership capacities in several regions throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, DC, Maryland and Georgia with his primary emphasis on assimilating different banking cultures within the BB&T cultures through leadership and coaching. 

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of South Carolina and graduated from the The Graduate School of Banking of the South from Louisiana State University.  

All the while serving his company, clients, and co-workers, Mr. Tomlinson has continued to serve his local community.  He has served as Board Member and Chairman for the Greer, SC Chamber of Commerce, and established a local United Way campaign in the Greer market.  He served as a Board Member for the Greenville, SC Chamber of Commerce, and for the Gainesville, GA Chamber of Commerce.  He has been a Board Member and Campaign Chair for United Way of Hall County, and currently serves on the Gainesville truist Local Advisory Board and serves as a Board Member of the truist Center for Ethical Business Leadership at the University of North Georgia’s Mike Cottrell College of Business.  

• BBA, University of South Carolina
• BBA, The Graduate School of Banking of the South, Louisiana State University (LSU)