Leadership

Thomas Van Antwerp is a retired executive with a long, successful career leading publishing, staffing, and philanthropic organizations. He served as executive director of Providence Hospital Foundation from June 2004 until his retirement in February 2015. His diverse background provides the Board with valuable leadership and business experience. Mr. Van Antwerp is currently chairman of the Governance, Succession and Compensation Committee of the Bank.

Mr. Van Antwerp served as a director of EnergySouth, a publicly traded gas distribution company, from 1993 until its sale in 2008. During his tenure on that board, he served on the executive, corporate governance and audit committees and he was chairman of the compensation and planning committee. He is currently the sole trustee of The Hearin-Chandler Foundation and responsible for all of the foundation’s investment and grant distributions.

Jerry St Pé is former President of Ingalls Shipbuilding and retired Executive Vice-President of the shipyard’s parent company, Litton Industries.

A native of New Orleans, Jerry St Pé came to Mississippi in 1958 as a newspaper reporter for the then Pascagoula Chronicle Star (now the Mississippi Press). In 1961, he joined the public relations staff of the Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton Industries and in 1967 played a major role in the Ingalls/State of Mississippi partnership that resulted in the construction in Jackson County of the first totally new shipyard built in America since World War II.

He was named Vice-President of Public and Industrial Relations in 1975, and in 1985, he became President of Ingalls and was elected a Corporate Vice-President of Litton Industries. In 1998, he was named Corporate Executive Vice-President of Litton Industries with overall responsibility for Litton’s shipbuilding operations. He retired in October 2001 following the completion of the transition of Northrop Grumman’s purchase of Litton Industries.

In 1996, Jerry was name a Laureate in the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to Mississippi economy, and in 1998 the Navy League of the United States awarded him the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Award, the League’s highest honor, for his service to America’s naval shipbuilding.

Jerry is a past President of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve on the Chamber board. He is one of the founders of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, having served three terms as Chairman of the Foundation. Jerry is also a retired member of the Board of Directors of the Southern Company, and served eight years as Chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. He currently serves as a senior advisory member of the Board of Merchants & Marine Bank. Following his retirement, he formed St Pé and Associates, LLC through which he engages in private business interest and volunteer work.

Jerry resides in Jackson County with his wife Joann, a native Mississippian. They have two children, Prudence Graham and Laurin St Pé, and five grandchildren.

Royce Cumbest is the former President and CEO of Merchants & Marine Bank (MMB), leading the organization through a period marked by tremendous growth and innovation from 1985 until 2019. As he plans his transition into retirement, he continues to serve the company as the Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since 1991. Mr. Cumbest’s extensive banking experience and his management of the day-to-day operations of the bank provide the Board with knowledge and insight into the company’s operations. Additionally, his long-term service with the company provides the board with invaluable institutional knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the Company’s mission.

Mr. Cumbest also currently serves as Chairman and Director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, and as a Director at Mississippi Power Company where he currently chairs the Compliance and Controls Committee.

William Buster owns and manages C-Sharpe Company, a construction firm that offers general contracting and restoration services. The company operates from two locations, in Orange Beach, Alabama and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. As a business owner, Mr. Buster offers his brand of executive leadership to the board, with clear perspectives on all aspects of strategic planning, operations, and administration. He has served as a Director of the Board since April 2018, and he also provides key insights into the retail and industrial sectors within the bank’s footprint.

Mr. Buster earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Science from Auburn University.

In addition to his board service at the bank, Mr. Buster currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bayside Academy.

Frank Hammond is a member of the law firm of Watkins & Eager, PLLC. Mr. Hammond has practiced for over forty years in Pascagoula and Jackson, Mississippi and has represented a broad array of corporations and individuals with an emphasis on banking, business, and estate planning. He contributes insights to the board through his extensive experience in legal matters pertaining to a wide range of business, corporations, real estate, legal and regulatory matters.

Mr. Hammond earned a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of Mississippi, A Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida College of Law, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law.

He has served his profession in various volunteer roles with the Mississippi Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Abe Harper is the founder and President of Harper Technologies, LLC, an information technology consulting and service firm in Daphne, Alabama. Mr. Harper has served Merchants & Marine Bank as an Advisory Member of the Board and as a member of the Information Technology Committee since 2018.  He brings to our board a diverse set of strategic perspectives and skills developed over his two-decade career in the technology field, with expertise in areas ranging from network analytics to forensics.

Mr. Harper earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Computer Information Systems from the University of South Alabama.

His community involvement includes serving as a Board Member for Innovate Alabama formerly the Alabama Innovation Commission as an appointee of Governor Kay Ivey. He is also active with City Hope Church as an Elder, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prichard Preparatory School, Board Member for The Innovation Portal, as well as a Board Member for the Mobile Airport Authority.

Dr. Hal Moore is a retired radiologist from Pascagoula, Mississippi. He served as the longtime President of Singing River Hospital System and practiced medicine at Singing River Radiology Group, which he founded. His experience as an entrepreneur, medical practice owner, and medical practitioner brings unique insights to our board on multiple fronts.

Dr. Moore earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as a Master’s degree in Education and Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi. He served his profession in multiple capacities, through his leadership in the Mississippi State Medical Association (past-president), Mississippi Radiological Society (past-president), and Southern Radiological Society (past-president), as well as service in the American Medical Association, the American College of Radiology, and the American Board of Radiology.

He is active in the First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula and is the past-president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association and remains on its Executive Committee. Dr. Moore also currently serves on the Pascagoula Redevelopment Authority.

Diann Payne is retired Executive Director of the Jackson County Civic Action Committee. Her expertise in the nonprofit sector is deep and varied, as she has served in multiple leadership roles since 1987. Her experience in the banking industry as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and later an analyst for a financial institution provides the Board with valuable insights related to risk management and financial soundness. Ms. Payne served as an Advisory Member of the Board from July 31, 2007 until becoming a Director of the Company in April 2009.

Ms. Payne earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Mississippi Valley State University and Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Ms. Payne is without peer with regard to her community leadership across the Gulf Coast over the last few decades.  Governor Haley Barbour appointed her to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding, and Renewal in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Governor Barbour also appointed her to serve on the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, where she also chaired the Volunteer Center Development Committee. Ms. Payne is the former Chapter Chair of the Southeast Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross, and she also served on the Southeast Region Resource Council of the ARC in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, where she chaired the Education Issue Manager Group.  She currently chairs the finance committee for the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies and has volunteered as a family partner for Habitat for Humanity of the Gulf Coast.

Amy St. Pé is an attorney and entrepreneur, currently operating the Amy Lassitter St. Pé, P.A. law firm. She brings deep understanding of the public sector to her board service at Merchants & Marine Bank, as she works with a number of governmental entities, including acting as the City Attorney for Moss Point and as the Board Attorney for the Pascagoula Redevelopment Authority. She also provides guidance to the Board pertaining to real estate, legal, and regulatory matters for Mississippi and Alabama.  Ms. St Pé served as an Advisory Member of the Board beginning in 2013 until becoming a Director of the Company in April 2014.

Ms. St Pé earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Mississippi College School of Law.

She serves her profession as a member of the Alabama Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, and American Bar Association and also serves as municipal judge for the City of Gautier. Amy serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

Alan Sudduth currently holds the office of Corporate Affairs Manager for Chevron in Mississippi. He manages a full range of public and government affairs activities, including media relations, community engagement, political advocacy, crisis communication, external and internal communications, and business development. Mr. Sudduth served as an Advisory Member of the Board from August 6, 2013, until becoming a Director of the Company in April 2016.

Mr. Sudduth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from William Carey University.

Hank Torjusen is a co-owner of Fletcher Construction Company. He has more than three decades of leadership experience in the construction industry, giving him exceptional perspective for small businesses looking to grow. Mr. Torjusen served as an Advisory Member of the Board from July of 2013 until becoming a Director of the company in April of 2016.

Mr. Torjusen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Technology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Jay Willis is a consultant and business broker, owner of Willis & Associates, a dental practice transition consulting and brokerage firm that matches sellers and buyers of dental practices in Mississippi and Alabama. He is a retired dentist, having practiced in Pascagoula, Mississippi for 35 years. Dr. Willis is a frequent guest lecturer in the area of practice management at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. A lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast community, Dr. Willis offers many valuable perspectives to our board, from his many years as a small businessman and owner of a successful dental practice and from his service as an involved civic leader in various capacities.

Dr. Willis earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Mississippi College and a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry.

Dr. Willis contributed many years of service as a member and president of the local school board of the Pascagoula Municipal Separate School District, guiding the district’s operations including a successful bond issue campaign and the construction of two new high schools for the bank’s hometown. His leadership experience includes participation as a member of the boards of directors of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, the local Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, the Regional YMCA, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, First Presbyterian Church. In addition, he has served his profession in multiple capacities, as President of the Coast Dental Society and the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry Alumni Association.  In 2021, Dr. Willis was elected Mayor of Pascagoula.

Bragg Van Antwerp serves as Director at Mitchell, McLeod, Pugh & Williams Investment Adviser in Mobile, AL. He became a Director of the Company in May 2024.

Upon graduation from college, Bragg Van Antwerp accepted a job with Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., in New York, New York, where he began his career in the financial services industry. While at Deutsche Bank, he worked as an associate in global, institutional equity sales and trading before being promoted to vice president in 2003.

In June of 2004, Bragg accepted a job with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC, also in New York. There, Bragg continued to work in equity sales and trading before ultimately assuming relationship management responsibilities for a diverse group of institutional clients, including traditional money managers, quantitative investment managers, hedge funds and state pension funds. He was named a director at Bernstein in 2011.

Bragg returned to Mobile and joined the firm in 2013. He serves on the boards of St. Paul’s Episcopal School, the Mobile Carnival Association, and the Floral Parade Committee. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Bragg and his wife, Hayley, have three sons, Thomas, Emory and Charles, and one daughter, Frances.

Mr. Van Antwerp has been an Board Member of Merchants & Marine Bank since April 2018.

Clayton Legear is President & Chief Executive Officer of Merchants & Marine Bank (MMB) and the bank’s holding company, Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. He has served the clients, team members, and stakeholders of MMB in a variety of roles since 2011, including: Compliance Manager, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President.

Clayton joined MMB after a four-year stint as a financial institution examiner and deposit insurance claims specialist at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). His experience at MMB reflects his balanced approach to leading a growing community bank serving customers in multiple cities, small towns, and rural areas.

An emerging thought leader in the financial services industry, Clayton is passionate about community banking and community development. He enjoys leveraging his diverse experience and unique perspective to support continual improvement within Merchants & Marine Bank, to serve the communities MMB calls home, and to advocate for the community banking industry.

A native of Webb, Alabama, Clayton holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Troy University. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Clayton is actively involved in numerous civic, charitable, and professional organizations throughout the Gulf Coast region.