John D. Kimberly

John has served as President and CEO of Forest Commercial Bank since its inception in 2007.  His career includes more than 20 years of management experience in retail banking, private wealth management, and commercial lending.  He holds a BA in economics from Wake Forest University and is a graduate of Louisiana State University's Graduate School of Banking. 

Active in both the industry and the community, John serves as:

• Director of the North Carolina Bankers Association
• Director of the UNC-Asheville Foundation
• Director of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
• Trustee of the Mission Healthcare Foundation
• Trustee of North Carolina Baptist Hospital
• Member of the Audit and Compliance Committee of Mission Health System, Inc.

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Jeff Covington

Jeff has 24 years of banking experience, the last nine in the Asheville market, which includes management of one of the area's largest commercial loan portfolio's.  As an Asheville native, he knows the market as well as anyone.

Jeff is a Wake Forest graduate with a major in business and a minor in Latin. He also completed accounting courses at Guilford College and passed the CPA exam in 1992.

An active supporter of the community and area youth includes serving as a:

• Board member and past Chairman of Junior Achievement of WNC
• Past Chairman of the Boy Scouts of Buncombe County
• Member of the Buncombe County Tourism Product Development Fund Committee
• Former member of the Vestry at Trinity Episcopal Church.

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Laurence J. Weiss

Larry has more than 26 years of capital market, treasury and related experience, including work with two Washington, DC based financial corporations.

One who willingly uses his expertise to help others in our community includes serving as:

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John York

A Western North Carolina native, John has been with the Bank since it opened.  He has more than a decade of banking experience, including roles as a Senior Loan Officer, Business Banking Officer and Branch Manager.  His experience also includes more than 12 years in business management as a District Operations Manager with a Fortune 500 Company.   He is a graduate of High Point University with a BS degree in business administration and marketing. 

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Kelly Leonard

An original Forest Commercial Bank staff member, Kelly has been in banking more than 25 years, with experience that includes work as the Vice President of the Real Estate Finance Group for a major Southeastern bank.

Kelly's community involvement includes serving as;

• Board Member and Past Chair of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Develepment
• Board Member and Past Chair of the Blue Ridge Community College Foundation
• Board Member and Treasurer of the Great Smoky Mountain Foundation
• Past Board Member of United Way of Henderson County
• Member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Hendersonville
• Past District Treasurer of Rotary District 7670

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Theresa Smith

Theresa Smith has 21 years of banking experience in the Asheville market, 15 of which she has spent employed in various retail roles supporting branch operations.

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Grant Brown

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Jean McKinnon

Jean joined Forest Commercial Bank in 2008 and has more than 13 years of banking experience, including work in Wealth Management as a Private Financial Advisor.  She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee.

Jean volunteers her time in the local school system, currently serving on the board of the Asheville City Schools Foundation.  She has also served on the PTO boards of Asheville Middle School and Asheville High School and is past Treasurer for the Asheville High School Band Boosters.

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Leslie D. Pruitt

One of the bank's original staff members, Leslie's banking experience includes 17 years in retail banking, investments and personal trust administration.  Her career also includes five years in retail management with a Fortune 500 Company.   Leslie is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a B.A in Marketing.  

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Kelly Davis

Kelly R. Davis of Weaverville has joined the Bank as Mortgage Loan Originator. Kelly comes to the bank with 25 years of banking experience, including mortgage lending, retail branch network management and private wealth relationship management. She attended Western Carolina University and earned a Consumer Bankers Association Class degree from the Graduate School of Retail Bank Management. She has served as a board member for a number of local organizations, including the WNC Down Syndrome Alliance, the YWCA and SmartStart of Buncombe County.

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Lynnette Smith

A NC State Bar-certified Paralegal, Lynnette is an Asheville native who has been with Forest Commercial Bank since 2007.  She has seven years of experience handling residential and commercial real estate closings in Haywood and Buncombe counties, including five years with a local law firm, and another 8 years of prior management experience.  She has earned an Associate's degree in business administration from Montreat College and is continuing her studies there to graduate with a BA degree. 

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Marie Melton

A staff member since 2008, Maire has been in banking for 30 years, including experience in both retail and private banking.

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Allyson Payne

Allyson L. Payne of Boone has been hired by the Bank as a Client Services Representative. A 2010 graduate of Appalachian State University, Allyson earned a BS degree in Communication Studies with minor in General Business.

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Linda P. Smith

Linda is an Asheville native and has over 30 years of Accounting experience.  While her work experience has primarily been in a manufacturing environment, her most recent position was Controller for a credit union. 

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Julia Ledesma

Julia joined Forest Commercial Bank in 2008 and has seven years of banking experience, primarily as a teller.  She is a graduate of Wingate University with a BA degree in English.  Julia is active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

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