BB&T names Corts, Willett to new leadership roles

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BB&T today announced Christian Corts has been named president for its Tennessee Region. Corts most recently served as the regional corporate banking manager for South Carolina in Greenville, S.C. He replaces Mike Willett who is relocating to Winston-Salem where he will join the tax exempt lending area within Community Banking Administration. The changes are effective immediately.

"Christian brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to a region that continues to have significant growth opportunities for us," said David Weaver, president, BB&T Community Banking. "His leadership skills and diverse lending background will be a tremendous asset to the region. Christian is well-suited to move into this important leadership role."

Corts, 32, has more than 10 years of banking experience. He joined BB&T through its Leadership Development Program in 2008. From 2009 to 2011, Corts was an asset-based lending client administration services manager in Winston-Salem, N.C. He relocated to Houston in 2011 where he served as an asset-based lending commercial finance specialist (2011-2013), regional corporate banker and regional corporate banking manager (2013-2016). In 2016, he was named the South Carolina Corporate Banking manager.

A native of Greenville, S.C., Corts received his bachelor's degree in finance from Samford University. He is as a board member for The Children's Museum of the Upstate; a trustee of South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities; and a graduate of Leadership South Carolina. He has served as a trustee of the Houston Grand Opera and as a banking advisory board member of the University of Houston, Bauer School of Business.

"I am truly excited about this new challenge and the opportunity to work with our exceptional regional team and clients," Corts said. "Tennessee has great growth potential, and I am eager to build on the momentum this team has established."

Willett, 57, has more than 33 years of financial services experience. Willett has been with BB&T since 1989. He has served as business services officer in Sanford, N.C.; city executive in Siler City and Wadesboro, N.C.; regional retail banking manager in the Western Region (N.C.); and city/area executive in Asheville, N.C. Willett was first named president for the Western in 2004 and then named regional president of Tennessee in 2013.

"Mike has done a terrific job in a number of different roles for BB&T," Weaver said. "His knowledge and experience will provide an immediate asset to a very important growth area in Community Banking."

Willett earned his bachelor's degree from Elon College and his MBA from Campbell. He is a native of Asheboro, N.C., and very active in the community serving on a number of various boards.

"The time I've spent with BB&T in the regions has been some of the most rewarding of my career," Willett said. "I've had the honor to work with great clients and great banking teams, and I look forward to this new challenge."

BB&T operates 48 financial centers in Tennessee and divides its footprint into community bank regions – each with its own president – to keep decisions local and close to the customer.

About BB&T

BB&T is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $221.6 billion in assets and market capitalization of $38.9 billion as of Dec. 31, 2017. Building on a long tradition of excellence in community banking, BB&T offers a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking, investments, insurance, wealth management, asset management, mortgage, corporate banking, capital markets and specialized lending. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., BB&T operates over 2,000 financial centers in 15 states and Washington, D.C. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is consistently recognized for outstanding client service by Greenwich Associates for small business and middle market banking. More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at BBT.com.

SOURCE BB&T