Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. served as the President and CEO of Ameris Bancorp from 2005 until his retirement in 2018. He was also the Executive Chairman until September 2018. Hortman’s compensation peaked in 2017 at over $2.7 million, largely attributed...

Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. served as the President and CEO of Ameris Bancorp from 2005 until his retirement in 2018. He was also the Executive Chairman until September 2018. Hortman’s compensation peaked in 2017 at over $2.7 million, largely attributed to his structured compensation plan that included salary and vested stock awards. Notably, he did not receive bonuses in the years leading up to his retirement due to company performance and his own retirement timeline. During his tenure, he focused on aligning executive pay with company performance, which reflects his strategic approach in guiding Ameris Bancorp through various challenges in the banking industry. Interestingly, in 2018, upon his retirement, he received a substantial severance package totaling around $3.8 million, including cash payments and fully vested shares. His financial moves regarding stock showed considerable engagement with the company's performance, especially in how his compensation was tied to stock options and performance metrics. As a banking expert, he played a key role in shaping the company's vision and growth trajectory over a decade, embedding a performance-driven culture within the firm's leadership. Hortman’s experience in banking is evident in the way he navigated Ameris Bancorp to secure strong financial results while adhering to rigorous compensation strategies.