NEXT Forum: Bringing Banking Leaders Together in Atlantic City

Update: Read the recap of the 2024 NEXT Forum.

Industry experts to join panels that will inspire active dialogue on topics such as recruiting strategies, M&A, capital planning, tech efficiencies, embedded finance, bank investing, policy and regulation, and more.  

Travillian and Newcleus to co-host the NEXT Forum in Atlantic City, N.J. 

Travillian and Newcleus are co-hosting their first-ever industry conference, the NEXT Forum, September 8–9 at Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The co-sponsors are: 

• Travillian, the King of Prussia, Pa., executive search and talent advisory firm exclusively serving the financial services industry. 

• Newcleus, a Newtown, Pa., provider of benefit plans and financing strategies for the banking industry. 

Together, they have assembled an impressive roster of notable speakers from across the banking spectrum, including representatives from the bank and bank tech c-suites, financial press, and investment banking. 

NEXT Forum Keynote Speaker, Johnny Allison 

Johnny Allison, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Home BancShares Inc., in Conway, Arkansas, is the keynote speaker for the event. With an impressive career grounded in entrepreneurship, Allison’s banking success is built on his business acumen and hands-on approach. 

Allison’s Entrepreneurial Journey to Banking Titan 

At age 13, he began by selling inventory from his family’s mobile home lot. By 28, he was overseeing 1,000 employees and three factories. “I grew up on the business side,” he noted in a CEO Magazine profile from October 2022. “I’m a hands-on guy, and I think I have a business instinct.” 

Overcoming Adversity and Building a Banking Empire 

During the financial crisis of 2008–2010, Allison pivoted to buying failed banks in Florida. “We became the largest buyer of failed banks in the nation. The businessman in me came out, and we started looking at these deals and buying. So, from there, we grew.” 

Allison’s keynote address at the NEXT Forum closes the Day of Education on Sept. 9, but not the event itself. The Next Forum will culminate with a Monday night cocktail party featuring a special guest appearance by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.  

NEXT Forum Agenda: A Day Packed with Educational Panels and Networking Opportunities 

The event kicks off Sept. 8 with a welcome reception aside the luxurious Borgata indoor pool and nationally touring reggae-rock group the Mike Pinto Band. 

It’s also a chance for attendees to get to know each other, discuss current issues, and network among themselves. 

The roster for Monday, Sept. 9, is as follows: 

Talent Management Monopoly 

• Centering on recruiting, succession and compensation 
  • Moderator: Paul Davis, Founder, Bank Slate 

• • Speakers: 

• • • Flynt Gallagher, President, Compensation Advisors, Newcleus 

• • • Brian Love, Head of Banking and FinTech, Travillian 

• • • Keith Daly, Principal, Travillian 

All-In on Tech Efficiencies 

• Addressing bank technology’s role in driving revenue 

• • Moderators: Kim Snyder, Founder & CEO, KlariVis and Phil Goldfeder, CEO, American Fintech Council 

• • Speakers: 

• • • Jesse Honigberg, EVP, Products and Platforms, Customers Bank 

• • • Barb MacLean, SVP, Head of Technology Operations & Implementation, Coastal Community Bank

• • • Courtney Sacchetti, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Bankwell Financial Group, Inc 

Running with the High Rollers 

• Notable public and private bank investors will outline their relevant and proven strategies 

• • Moderator: Mike Perito, Head of Bank Strategy, Travillian 

• • Speakers: 

• • • Joe Fenech, Founder and CIO at GenOpp Capital Management 

• • • Sundeep Rana, Managing Principal, Castle Creek Capital

• • • David Honold, Principal, Patriot Financial Partners 

Bank Empire: M&A and Capital Pursuits 

• Presenting perspectives from industry experts on M&A and capital considerations for banks and credit unions 

• • Moderators: Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech, Travillian and Paul Davis, Founder, The Bank Slate

• • Speakers: 

• • • Frank Sorrentino, Managing Director of Investment Banking, Stephens, Inc. 

• • • Jeff Cardone, Partner, Luse Gorman 

• • • Jake Dalaya, Chief Strategy Officer, Capital Bank 

Go Back Three Spaces – Reflecting on the State of Embedded Finance 

• Discussing the risks, rewards, and current opportunities for community banks pursuing an embedded finance strategy 

• • Moderators: Jeff Nowicki, Chief Banking Officer, Treasury Prime and Keith Daly, Principal, Travillian 

• • Speakers: 

• • • Robert Keil, Chief Fintech Officer, FinWise Bank 

• • • Stanley Orszula, Partner, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP 

• • • Emily Reisig, SVP, Emprise Embedded Strategic Relationship Leader, Emprise Bank 

Double Down on Your Balance Sheet Strategy 

• Offering expert community bankers’ insights on balance sheet management, including strategies for navigating risk and maintaining financial soundness 

• • Moderators: Mike Perito, Head of Bank Strategy, Travillian and Isaac Wheeler – Managing Director, Head of Balance Sheet Strategy, Derivative Path

• • Speakers: 

• • • Scott Hildenbrand, Head of Depository Fixed Income, Piper Sandler 

• • • Brian Leibfried, Head of Bank Insights, Performance Trust Capital Partners

Shhh…Talking Politics in a Speakeasy

• Tip a glass to the upcoming election, and gain invaluable insights about how the banking industry should prepare for either outcome.
  • Moderator: Mike Perito, Head of Bank Strategy, Travillian

• • Panelists:
    • Trey Maust, Executive Chairman, Lewis & Clark Bancorp

• • • Pat Ryan, President & Chief Executive Officer, First Bank

• • • Mary Kissel, EVP and Senior Policy Advisor, Stephens, Inc

Headliner Presentation: Johnny Allison’s Journey in Banking

• Keynote speaker, Johnny Allison talks about the interesting journey of Home Bancshares, provides market commentary and shares stories that shaped his career and life. 

• • Moderators: Joe Fenech, Founder and CIO at GenOpp Capital Management and Brian Love, Head of Banking and FinTech, Travillian 

• • • Speaker: Johnny Allison – Chairman/CEO/Co-Founder, Home Bancshares Inc.

NEXT Forum: Your Gateway to Banking Insights 

Learn more about the NEXT Forum, additional details about the September 8-9 Travillian/Newcleus conference in Atlantic City can be found on the Next Forum website.