Ron Samuels

CEO, Chairman & Founder

Ron Samuels is an experienced leader, executive and marketer and has been a banker in Nashville for 40 years. He was a founder in 2007 of Avenue Bank, which closed year-end 2014 with assets of more than $999 million. The company began trading on the NASDAQ as AVNU in February 2015.He is especially proud of the recognition that the company has received recognition as a Best Place To Work from the Nashville Business Journal, Nashville Post and The Tennessean. In 2014 the company was named by American Banker magazine as the #4 �Best Banks To Work For� in their nationwide survey.Mr. Samuels is recognized as one of Nashville�s most experienced and well-respected bankers, and has been named every year by Nashville Post to their �Best In Banking� list since it began in 2011.� He was named a �Leader In Banking Excellence� by the Tennessee Bankers Assoc. in 2009, and served on the TBA Board of Directors 2011 - 2014. In 2015 he joined the TBA�s Government Relations Committee, as well as the Nashville Health Care Council�s Board of Directors.He is a highly visible and engaged community leader, having served as the Chairman of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce 2008 � 2010 during which time he spearheaded the approval of the $550 million Music City Center convention facility.�� He has served in leadership roles on many other boards and committees in the arenas of economic development, professional sports, education and more.He is a sought-after public speaker on topics of Community Banking and Workplace Culture, and has spoken to groups including the Tennessee Bankers Association, TN Society of CPAs, Georgia Bankers Association, Georgia Banking School, Leadership Music, Southeast Bank Management Conference, Stern Agee Conference, and Bank Director Magazine Conference.In addition to enjoying time with his family, Mr. Samuels is a passionate golfer and is a member of The Hummingbirds, Avenue Bank�s award-winning corporate band.He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, and remains active in Ole Miss Alumni activities.Mr. Samuels has been recognized with numerous awards and recognitions. Recent accolades include:Finalist for the Ernst & Young 2015 �Entrepreneur of the Year� Southeast Region, Financial Services.Named to Nashville Business Journal�s�Power Leaders in Banking� list every year since inception.Named by Nashville Post to their annual �In Charge� lists 2009 through 2015.Named by Nashville Post to their �Best In Banking� list in 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014.Nashville Downtown Partnership�s �Leadership Award�, 2013, for his role in the City�s approval of the Music City Center project.Leadership & Integrity Award, 2012, presented by the Dean Institute for Corporate Governance at Lipscomb University.Finalist for �Most Admired CEO� in 2012 & 2014 (Nashville Business Journal)Named a �Leader in Banking Excellence� in 2009 by the Tennessee Bankers Association for lifetime professional achievements and community involvement.Awarded the Nashville Chamber�s �Spirit Award� for Engagement, 2008-2009.Honored with the Nashville Emerging Leaders� �Impact Award� for his support and mentoring of young professionals, 2010.Named a �Visionary of Hope� by the American Cancer Society, 2011.Included as one of Nashville Lifestyles �100 Reasons To Love Music City�, 2011Recognized as a �Good Guy� by the Nashville Women�s Political Caucus, 2010.Inducted into the Junior Achievement�s Nashville Business Hall of Fame, 2010. Current Community Involvement & Board Positions include: Past Chairman of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce (July 2008 � July 2010);Chair, Economic and Community Development Action Team (Nashville�s Agenda); Partnership 2020 Steering CommitteeBoard member of the Tennessee Bankers Association, Country Music Foundation, the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, The Nashville Alliance for Public Education, and Alignment Nashville. Steering Committee member, Education 2010.Member of the TBA Government Relations Committee, 2015.Board member of The Golf Club of Tennessee, Nashville NHL Predators Foundation, the Center for Non Profit Management and the Nashville Health Care CouncilBoard Member of the 2016 NHL All Star Game/Music City (a partnership of the NHL Nashville Predators, Nashville Sports Council, and the City of Nashville)Co-Chair, 2010 & 2011, STARS of Nashville annual �Hart Classic� Golf TournamentSt. Thomas Foundation Campaign Planning CommitteeAdvisory Board, Belmont University Massey Graduate School;� Vanderbilt Owen School of Management MBA Alumni Council; and Board of Trustees of Leadership Nashville�