Member: | |||||||
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Work Phone: | |||||||
352-483-9100 | |||||||
Email Kenneth | |||||||
Business Name: | |||||||
First Green Bank, Inc. | |||||||
Business Address: | |||||||
22449 Lake Seneca Rd.
Eustis, FL 32736 |
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Business Website: | |||||||
http://firstgreenbank.com | |||||||
Law or Business Areas: | |||||||
Banking | |||||||
In 2009, Mr. LaRoe opened First Green Bank, the first bank with an environmental mission in the eastern United States. Mr. LaRoe is the Founder, Board Chairman and CEO of the holding company, First GREEN Bancorp. In 1999, Mr. LaRoe founded Florida Choice Bank and was its largest shareholder, Chairman, CEO, and President. He grew the bank to over $400 million in assets by 2006 when the bank was sold to Alabama National Bancorp.
Mr. LaRoe began his career with Flagship Bank in Tavares, Florida and rose to the position of vice president and branch manager. He joined SouthTrust Bank in Deland, Florida in 1987 as senior lender and rose to county executive for Lake County. In 1996 Mr. LaRoe joined Colonial Bank as president of the Lake County bank and was instrumental in the conversion of a troubled thrift to a viable commercial bank. He has served on numerous civic and non-profit boards including: The Sunrise ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens), BankServ, and The Florida Bankers Association. He served as chairman of Group 5 of the Florida Bankers Association and also as chairman of Florida BankPac. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association, and the Lake County Bar Association. A committed environmentalist, he served as chairman of Preserve Lake, a political action committee instrumental in passing a bond referendum for $36 million to purchase public land. He also served as chairman of the PLAAC (Public Lands Acquisition advisory Committee). In June 2013 and 2014, Mr. LaRoe was named as the Central Florida finalist for the prestigious Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" and in 2015 he won. In 2014, Mr. LaRoe was also appointed to the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association of Florida. Mr. LaRoe is also a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), where he works with leaders around the world to find a positive, viable alternative to the current financial system. In 2015, he was named one of "Orlando's 50 Most Powerful People" by Orlando Magazine. Born, raised, and schooled in Eustis, Florida, where First Green Bank is located, Mr. LaRoe earned a B. S. in management at Florida State University and a J.D. at The University of Florida College of Law. Mr. LaRoe is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). |