Staff Profiles

Executive Management

Randy Dennis, President, Consulting Group

Randy is one of the original founding partners and is President of DD&F Consulting Group. He has been involved in all phases of the bank consulting and has led DD&F to be annually ranked among the top financial advisors in the United States in mergers and acquisitions. He has served as the Principal or Senior Consultant for over 250 bank and thrift mergers, and is presently actively engaged in assisting bank clients evaluate and acquire failed banks with assistance from the FDIC. Randy serves on the faculty of Barret School of Banking in Memphis, Tennessee.

Robert Fegtly, Managing Partner, Consulting Group

Bob is one of the original founding partners of DD&F Consulting Group and serves as Managing Partner over the Strategic Services group. He has over 20 years of experience specializing in merger and acquisitions of financial institutions, including FDIC assisted transactions, traditional holding company and subsidiary acquisitions and sales, branch acquisitions and sales and whole bank transactions. He has unique expertise in financial and quantitative analysis of acquisitions and has overseen hundreds of acquisitions for financial institutions and their branch networks.

John Hargrave, Managing Partner, Consulting Group

John serves as a Managing Partner over the Bank Performance group. He has particular expertise in regulatory intervention consulting, strategic planning, and project management. He assists with developing implementation plans and teams to accomplish the various projects our clients undertake. With his background in strategic planning and project management, John manages a variety of projects across the company, including acquisitions, FDIC assisted acquisitions, consolidations, and regulatory intervention projects. He was the principal in charge of launching DD&F’s Information Systems Risk Management services.

Ronnie Peters, CISA, Executive Director, Risk Management Group

Ronnie is responsible for overseeing various risk management services relating to loan review, internal audit, information technology, consumer compliance and the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). He possesses a combination of regulatory, audit, compliance and technological experience including nine years as a safety and soundness and information technology examiner. He has extensive experience in assessing risk management practices and adherence to applicable laws, rules and regulations and has assessed over 150 banks ranging in size from $10 million to $5 billion in assets.

Debi Barnes, Principal, Marketing and Communications

Debi provides marketing expertise with a specialized focus of assisting DD&F clients with sensitive strategic marketing and communication issues related to new market entry, name changes, merger and acquisitions, FDIC assisted acquisitions and regulatory agreements for sub standard regulatory examinations. She has over 24 years of experience in banking and bank marketing to include strategic planning, advertising, branding, public relations, product development, pricing, conversion and consolidation, research, database and web marketing, service delivery and sales. She holds a B.A. in mathematics from Hendrix College, Conway, AR and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Bank Marketing, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. She is a member, past President and Director of the Arkansas Chapter of the Bank Marketing Association.

Michael Bryan, Principal, IT Consulting and Project Management

Michael serves as Principal over the IT Consulting group. He specializes in banking systems and technology, project management, operations consolidation, systems conversion, vendor contract negotiation and management, and business continuity planning. Michael assists clients with managing various projects they undertake, including FDIC assisted acquisitions. With over 30 years of banking experience in the information technology field, Michael has worked with businesses of all sizes—from small businesses to large global companies. As the former CEO and Owner of a core banking system and mortgage servicing system software company he provided implementation, software maintenance, and support for his clients. Michael is certified in IBM Technical and Hewlett Packard Programs.

Ted Gammill, Principal, Bank Management and Finance

Ted applies his 35 years of experience working with banks and thrifts in the areas of management, audit and tax to advise financial institutions in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and executive level financial, regulatory, and management consulting. He also assists DD&F clients in complying with regulatory orders such as Memorandums of Understanding, Consent Orders, and Cease and Desist Orders. This involves project management, assisting with the development of strategic plans, capital plans, liquidity management, and developing financial projections. In addition, having previously purchased insolvent financial institutions from the FDIC with his own company, Ted assists clients with the acquisition of failed institutions from the FDIC. Ted holds a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and Certified Fraud Examiner.

Whitney Hall, Senior Project Manager, Regulatory

Whitney serves as a Senior Project Manager with DD&F, working with clients on projects including mergers and acquisitions, new charters, preparation of strategic business plans, market research and feasibility analysis, preparation of pro forma financial statements and financial ratios, and providing regulatory assistance and general consulting services for financial institutions. Previously employed in the cellular communications industry as a Senior Analyst, she gained experience in the areas of accounting and financial statement and ratio analysis. Whitney holds her M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR and a B.A. in Accounting from Hendrix College, Conway, AR. She is a Graduate, Magna Cum Laude from Barret School of Banking, Memphis, TN.

Ashley Floyd, Senior Consultant, Regulatory

Ashley works with clients on projects including bank and thrift mergers and acquisitions, and acquisitions of branches. She works closely with DD&F clients and regulators to structure transactions and provides the necessary acquisition analyses and pricing strategies and regulatory applications to complete the transaction. Other services she performs include business plan development, feasibility analyses, and regulatory assistance. Ashley holds her M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR and a B.S. from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She is a Graduate, Magna Cum Laude from Barret School of Banking, Memphis, TN and is member of the Risk Management Association.

Rachel Rummel, CBCP, SSCP Senior Consultant, Business Continuity, IT Consulting

Rachel serves as a senior consultant focusing on business continuity, information security, and technology consulting. She develops comprehensive business continuity programs and IT strategic plans, and conducts various risk assessments required by regulations. She also develops FFIEC-compliant programs and policies including customer information security programs identity theft prevention programs, information technology polices, incident response plans, and remote deposit capture policies. She provides employee training on information security, incident response, and identity theft prevention. Rachel has her M.B.A. in Business Administration and B.A. in Business Management from Shenandoah University. She is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) and a Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP).

Joshua Dennis, Consultant, Strategic Services

As a consultant for the Strategic Services division, Josh provides support and assistance in a variety of areas through research and market data compilation for a wide variety of regulatory applications. Josh’s work for our clients includes preparing market analyses, branch strategy studies and branch applications for banks considering branch expansion. He also works on FDIC assisted acquisitions by analyzing financial information and crafting bid ranges. Josh holds his M.B.A. from the Sam M. Walton College of Business and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. AR. He is currently enrolled in his third year at Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN.

Kyle Shadid, Consultant, Regulatory

Kyle Shadid provides support and assistance in a variety of regulatory consulting project areas to include assisting with regulatory applications for branch establishments and relocations, branch acquisitions, merger and acquisitions and new charters. He also prepares market analyses, branch strategy studies, and prepares branch applications for viable markets. Kyle holds a B.S. Finance with emphasis in Commercial Banking, from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and is currently enrolled in his 2nd year at Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN.

Risk Management Group

Keith Collard, CPA, Managing Director, Compliance and Internal Audit

Keith is responsible for overseeing the Internal Audit and Compliance processes for the Risk Management Group. He assists DDF clients in insuring they are in compliance with consumer laws and regulations, and provides guidance and direction to bank management on regulatory issues. With 12 years of previous banking experience, Keith has firsthand experience as a banker in overseeing the management and implementation and monitoring of compliance and internal audit functions for a bank. Keith is a Certified Public Accountant and has his M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, and a B.A in Accounting from the University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and has completed the Cannon Financial Institute Fiduciary and Risk Management School.

Tom Layman, CISSP, CISA, Managing Director, IT Audit

As Managing Director of IT Audit, Tom oversees information technology audits, vulnerability assessments and risk assessments. Prior to working with DD&F, Tom was responsible for the overall security of a fortune 500 company that supported more than 15 million customers with responsibility for overall organization security, He aided in the design and review of infrastructure security architecture and business continuity planning. Tom has a BA in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix, Las Vegas, NV and holds certifications as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Systems Auditor, IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional, and Tivoli Security Management.

Bradley Schinker, Managing Director, Loan Review

As Managing Director of Loan Review, Brad oversees and conducts a variety of assessments including internal audits, loan reviews and due diligence assessments. He has extensive experience in loan reviews and the evaluation of asset quality, loan underwriting and credit administration practices for various loan types as well as assessing the adequacy of loan loss reserves and other loan related issues. He possesses over five years of previous banking experience with a $7 billion dollar institution where his responsibilities included branch management, market segment analyses, marketing plan development, monetary and security audits, and branch productivity. Brad holds his M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, a B.S. in Business from the University of Memphis, TN, and he is a graduate of the Barret School of Banking.

Shawn Sparks, Senior Compliance Specialist, Compliance, BSA

Shawn is a Compliance Specialist and is responsible for performing reviews to insure compliance with consumer laws and regulations, and to provide guidance and direction to management on regulatory issues. She has 17 years of banking with extensive experience in the regulatory and compliance areas. This included responsibility for overseeing compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other consumer compliance laws and regulations. Shawn holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacagdoches, TX and has continued her professional education through Metavante Regulatory Services, and the ABA Regulatory Managers Course. Shawn is a member of the Compliance Professional Group of Little Rock.

John Way, Compliance Specialist, Compliance, BSA

John is a Compliance Specialist and is responsible for performing reviews to insure compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and with consumer laws and regulations, as well as to provide guidance and direction to management on regulatory matters. Previously John worked in banking and was responsible for bank operations and BSA/AML compliance. John holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, AR. He is a Graduate of the Bankers Operations Institute, a division of Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU in Dallas, TX and has completed the Lending Compliance, BSA/AML and Operations/Deposit Compliance program at the Barret School of Banking in Memphis TN.

Zach Dennis, Consultant, Loan Review

Zach is a consultant for Loan Review and conducts a variety of assessments including loan reviews and due diligence assessments focusing on asset quality, loan underwriting and credit administration practices for various loan types. In addition he evaluates and assesses the adequacy of loan loss reserves and other loan related issues. Prior to working at DD&F, Zach worked in banking with responsibilities for branch management, leadership development, marketing plan development, branch productivity and profitability. Zach holds a B.S.B.A. in Finance and Banking from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR and he completed the Regions Bank Retail Leadership Development Program. Zach is currently enrolled in his third year at the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN.

Matt Stagg, Consultant, Loan Review

Matt serves as a consultant in Loan Review and conducts a variety of assessments including loan reviews and due diligence assessments focusing on asset quality, loan underwriting and credit administration practices for various loan types. In addition he evaluates and assesses the adequacy of loan loss reserves and other loan related issues. Prior to working at DD&F, Matt worked as a financial analyst for a commercial business. Matt holds his M.B.A. from the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR and a B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR.

Administrative Support

Elsie Terry, Office Manager, Human Resources

Elsie joined DD&F in 2000 as Office Manager and oversees all administrative management and support functions for the company. She is directly responsible for human resources, billing and accounting, payroll, facilities management, and general office administration. She also coordinates professional education activities for the consultants and staff. Individuals interested in employment and career opportunities with DD&F can send resumes to Elsie’s attention at opportunities@ddfconsulting.com.

David Summers, Network Manager, Technology Consultant

David manages and maintains DD&F’s network infrastructure including server, switching and routing technology. He also maintains Cisco firewalls, VOIP telephony, workstations and laptops for the entire organization. In addition, David works with clients to assist in evaluating hardware, software, security, disaster recovery and overall performance of their IT Infrastructure. His goal is to make recommendations that will enhance the technology work flow, security and dependability of all information systems.

Administrative Staff

DD&F Consulting and Risk Management couldn’t exist without the experience and hard work of the dedicated support staff. They work behind the scenes to make sure the consultants can do their job helping our clients. More than likely when you call us, you’ll be greeted by one of our Administrative Staff: Donna, Chris, Shana or Cindy who will make sure you are promptly taken care of; and, as you work with us you will come to know how important they are to the DD&F team.