Meet Our Lenders

Lindsey grew up in middle Georgia and followed in his dad's footsteps becoming a community banker. He began his banking career in 1990 at Security Bank while attending college and transitioned into lending in 1994. In 2003, while at BB&T he transitioned into small business and commercial lending. Lindsey joined American Pride Bank in 2007 prior the bank’s opening as the bank’s first Commercial Relationship Manager and he enjoys helping business owners in the middle Georgia market. He enjoys any outdoor activity and spending time with his Labradoodle Blue.

Rolando Dixon

Ro grew up in middle Georgia and graduated from Central High School. He began his banking career in 2006 at Bank of America while attending college. He’s currently enrolled at the Georgia Banking School and is on track to graduate May 2022. Ro joined American Pride Bank in 2015 as a Personal Banker/Bank Security Officer and has worked his way up. He’s transitioned into lending in 2020 as the bank’s Portfolio Manager while continuing his Bank Security Officer duties. Ro has over 15 years of banking experience. Prior to joining American Pride Bank he’s worked at Bank of America, Atlantic Southern Bank, and State Bank and Trust Company. Ro currently resides in Forsyth with his wife and daughter. He enjoys spending time with his family and attending sporting events. He serves on numerous community and civic organization boards and is a member of Northway Church.

Jake Hammitt

Jake joined American Pride Bank in December 2021 as a Commercial Relationship Manager/Assistant Vice President. Before beginning his career in banking, Jake received his BBA in Accounting from Kennesaw State University, and worked in Estate & Trust accounting for Carr, Riggs & Ingram, CPA.  A lifelong Paulding County resident, Jake and his wife, Marisa, currently live in Dallas with their Golden Retriever, Chief. Jake is an active member of both the Rotary Club of Paulding County and Faith Community Church.

Baxter James 

Baxter is a Macon native and graduated from Stratford Academy before getting his bachelor’s degree in Finance at Georgia Southern University. He went straight into banking after college and has close to 20 years of experience in the industry. Baxter joined the American Pride Bank team in 2015 as a Commercial Relationship Manager.  He and his wife, Christi, have four sons and he is very involved coaching Little League sports including football, basketball, baseball and soccer. He serves on numerous community and civic organization Boards and is passionate about music, performing in a local band.

Vik Patel joined American Pride Bank in 2013 and serves as the bank’s SBA Division Manager. He has over 11 years of experience in small business lending including credit administration, commercial loan origination/servicing, and portfolio management. Prior to joining American Pride Bank, Vik was with Bank of Atlanta. He lives in Atlanta and is active in the Indian American community. Vik graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelors in Business Administration.

D.D. joined American Pride Bank in February 2020 as a Commercial Relationship Manager. He is an Athens native and a graduate of the University of West Georgia with a BBA in Finance and also a graduate of the Georgia Banking School and The Graduate School of Banking at LSU. D.D. has 34 year banking experience with his career starting at Athens First Bank and Trust where he worked in many areas of the bank. He ultimately settled with the majority of his experience being in the lending arena and he came to American Pride Bank from Newton Federal where he served as the Market Executive for the Athens/Oconee Market. D.D. and his wife Leah live in Watkinsville where he is a member of the Oconee County Rotary Club. In his spare time, D.D. enjoys the outdoors.