WESTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Florida Community Bank (FCB) President & CEO Kent S. Ellert was named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2016 Florida award recipient for his business innovation and success, mentorship, and community contributions, reinforcing his role as a leader in the Florida financial services industry. Ellert was one of 13 recipients named during the 30th anniversary gala event held on June 9, 2016 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida.
“Being named among this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award recipients in Florida is truly gratifying because the award represents the high standards of leadership, innovation, and commitment that I strive to uphold every day,” said Kent Ellert. “The spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well in Florida, and is critical to fueling the economic strength of our communities. I share this award with our customers, and our dedicated FCB associates whom together, have helped make FCB the successful market leader it is today.”
Ellert refers to the financial crisis in 2009 as a turning point in his career, seeing opportunity in the midst of a highly challenged industry. Ingenuity and vision led to the founding of FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. (formerly Bond Street Holdings, Inc.), the parent company of Florida Community Bank.
“Even in the midst of the most turbulent times in Florida banking history, I saw great opportunity to build a strong, independent Florida bank,” said Ellert. “I set forth to raise capital in order to buy failing banks, and by the following year, we had assembled a seasoned and dynamic team responsible for the subsequent acquisition of nine Florida banks. Today, FCB is the third largest independent bank and the largest pure play in the state of Florida.”
The 2016 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Florida award recipients represent a group of leading entrepreneurs selected by an independent panel of judges made up of previous award winners, including leading CEOs, private capital investors and other regional business leaders. These outstanding entrepreneurs now join the ranks of 30 years of winners. Regional winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National program. Now in its 30th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
About Florida Community Bank
Established in 2010, Florida Community Bank (FCB) has grown to over $7.5 billion in assets, is the third largest Florida-based independent bank, and recently received a five-star rating from Bauer FinancialTM. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, (NYSE: FCB), Florida Community Bank serves the state with 47 full service banking centers. The presence of FCB blankets both Florida coasts from Daytona Beach to Miami-Dade, Naples through Tampa Bay, as well as the I-4 Corridor. FCB is among the most highly capitalized banks in the state with capital ratios exceeding the regulatory standard to be considered “well capitalized.” Complete information outlining the depth and breadth of the company is found at www.FloridaCommunityBank.com. Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC.
