THE LEADERS BEHIND THE COMPANY
LEADING BANKING INNOVATION
We could throw some fluffy number out there about our 1,547 collective years in banking. But, what really matters is how the banking innovation team can help deliver results for your business. As a group that has delivered over $1B in revenue, earned 7 patents, been published in 60+ industry publications, and spoken at 150+ industry events—it’s safe to say we have the talent to execute in every facet of banking.
John
W. Smith
Executive Chairman
Helping our clients push the limits to improve their revenue, brand, HQ and branch strategies. Alongside this effort, further creating the company that we’d like to hire and work within.
Experience
- Leading both DBSI & CFM to award-winning status, including Fintech Product of the Year, Top Design Firm, Construction Company of the Year, Inc. 5,000 fastest growing companies, and over 30 more
- 28+ years experience within retail banking solutions with DBSI + CFM, Talaris, and De La Rue across the world
- Holds numerous technology patents
- Has spoken at 50+ industry events and keynotes and led industry research projects specific to banking that have been published in The Financial Brand, Inc., Credit Union Magazine, Forbes, Bank Director, and more
30-Second Sound Bite
Happily married for more than 25 years, 2 wonderful kids, Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, National Dean’s List, Golden Key National Honor Society for Academic Excellence, love of classic rock, golf, Packer football, optimist, creative, loyal.
Debra
Dillon
Principal
Ensures DBSI operates as efficiently and effectively as possible by aligning the company to our customer’s needs.
Experience
- 25+ years in the financial industry
- DBSI co-founder
- Extensive background in managing company operations
- Industry experience in investments, insurance, financials
30-Second Sound Bite
Married for more than 20 years to husband John Dillon; 2 sons, close-knit family in travel and adventures: skiing, boating, ATV riding.
John
Dillon
Principal
Member of the hands-on executive leadership team overseeing corporate alignment for optimal client delivery.
Experience
- 30+ years in financial equipment, construction, and services industry
- Branching efficiency and brand identity expertise
- Real estate, construction, and design educational background
- Top-to-bottom leadership
- Has overseen 2,300+ De Novo or branch remodel projects
- Large project planning and rollout expertise
30-Second Sound Bite
Co-founder with wife, Debra Dillon. Loving husband, proud father.
Jim
Ransco
Principal
Member of the hands-on executive leadership team overseeing corporate alignment for optimal client delivery.
Experience
- 20+ years in the financial services industry
- Real estate, construction, and design educational background
- Extensive program, new build and tenant improvement project experience
- Have overseen 2,300+ De Novo or branch remodel projects
- Called upon by clients to draw their visions and bring them to life
30-Second Sound Bite
Husband of an impressive duration to the best wife, father of two greats, born young, the standard answer … yes, foot is never on the line, always a three.
Ginny
Bruni
CEO
Leading DBSI to the forefront of the design-build industry through cooperative client partnerships, operational excellence based on accountability, and setting the example through our innovative and high-quality solutions. Committed to advancing our mantra to “be the company you want to hire.”
Experience
- Highly skilled and driven when it comes to principled processes, collective collaboration, and providing thoughtful direction.
- 30+ years of experience assembling and developing high-performance work teams to deliver quality service.
- Proven leader in organizational development, operational management, business development, and driving business growth.
30-Second Sound Bite
My passion is finding new talent and lifting them up to do more than they ever imagined possible. I’m continually energized and inspired by the big things we are doing at DBSI, and invite you to experience our first-class service for yourself!
Cody
Higgins
CTO
Responsible for shaping the company’s technology strategy and vision. Leading the development and implementation of new technologies that improve DBSIs offerings, ensuring that the company’s technology infrastructure supports future objectives for our clients.
Experience
- 30+ years working in the technology industry.
- Owner of an IT company for 13 years.
- Experienced in effectively managing innovation & product teams.
- Specialized experience in the banking and healthcare industries.
30-Second Sound Bite
My wealth of technical expertise, leadership skills, and years of experience allows me to help our clients unlock new growth through leading-edge technology infrastructure.
Jody
Franklin
CFO
Responsible for implementing operational excellence across functional disciplines to support sustainable financial strategies, ensuring long-term financial health and growth, transparent practices, and project success.
Experience
- 20+ years in finance/accounting, construction, purchasing, banking, and manufacturing industries
- Extensive background in commercial construction
- History of working with small, mid, and Fortune 500 companies
30-Second Sound Bite
Dedicated to long-term financial success and maximizing value for stakeholders, my priority is ensuring sustainable growth at DBSI for our team and clients.
Jared
Jones
VP of Growth
Delivering superior results for our clients through world-class operations, unlocking innovation, and financial sustainability. Our goal is to bring your vision to reality and seamlessly enable growth in your organization, with your team, community, and stakeholders in mind.
Experience
- 12+ years of professional experience organizing and leading teams to drive desired outcomes.
- Successfully delivered over $80mm in DBSI projects.
- Decorated former US Air Force Officer.
30-Second Sound Bite
Simply helping our team strive to improve by 1% each day is how we guarantee continuing benefits for our clients and community. My goal is to help our clients envision a new perspective of what their organization can look and feel like, and make it happen!
Corde
Kurtz
VP of Design-Build
Committed to exceeding client expectations and delivering projects on time and within budget. Leading our Design-Build team with a collaborative approach to ensure successful project delivery. We use simple, proven methods to bring your plans to life!
Experience
- 25+ years in the construction industry
- Commercial, industrial, Headquarters, healthcare, residential
- Extensive knowledge in pre-construction/estimating, business development, design-build, live-in remodel, new construction, and project execution.
- Strong leader with a passion for building teams and developing team members.
30-Second Sound Bite
Simple man, loving husband, dedicated father, old school, country state of mind, rights right and wrong’s wrong.
Alisa
Semyekhina
VP of Digital Creative
Got big ideas? My expertise is in helping clients turn their plans on paper into reality. A DBSI veteran of 10+ years, I specialize in fusing functionality with creativity, to foster transformative retail solutions. Your customer experience is where the rubber hits the road, and my team serves as the experts at your side from start to finish.
Experience
- Over a decade of agency experience in all aspects of marketing.
- Ph.D. in Linguistics.
- Past life as UI designer, front-end developer, and digital signage developer.
30-Second Sound Bite
When not pondering the next big innovation in digital transformation, you can find me traveling to various conferences to stay up-to-date with industry trends, diving into passion projects, including overseeing the development of the Ideation Center, or learning a new skill just for the fun of it.
Kevin
Stewart
VP of Banking Equipment
Committed to ensuring efficient banking equipment installation and service operations run smoothly and efficiently, while providing exceptional turn-key service to clients.
Experience
- 20+ year DBSI veteran overseeing site surveys, contracts, and pre-construction.
- Successfully delivered banking equipment and service infrastructure projects in 25+ states.
- Working in close consultation with our clients and understanding their needs have been the keys to success over my years with DBSI.
30-Second Sound Bite
Technology and equipment evolve, the foundation of what makes great customer service does not. My goal is to help clients navigate the ever-changing banking equipment landscape and ensure a smooth implementation for every project.
Bruce Allen
Eastwood
Director of Architectural Services
Deliver transformative retail banking designs aimed to attract consumers and provide an environment conducive to a more effective retail experience.
Experience
- Registered Architect
- 30+ years in architectural experience
- Designed industry-exclusive Ideation Center and Collaboratory
- Designed and managed the program that led to the National Hospital of the Year Award
- Orchestrated 6 architectural firms and obtained over 600 permits over a 2 year period to help deliver one of the country’s largest rebranding efforts
- Designed and developed numerous problem resolution prototypes
30-Second Sound Bite
Numerous ICSC and NAIOP design awards, scuba certified, designed and built my own dream cabin, monolingual, historical mining enthusiast.
Brian
Silvester
Director of Design
Improves client’s experience by driving creative design experts to generate high-quality branch transformations aligned to DBSI’s tested 23 Best Practices and I.D.E.A.S. solutions.
Experience
- 30+ years of experience in assembling and developing functional teams to deliver quality service
- Focused on people management, internship advocate, and mentor
- Background in business development, sales, service, program management, operations, accounting, process development, and training
30-Second Sound Bite
Cardinals/Patriots, Sun Devil, Outdoors Activities (hiking, hunting, fishing, camping), Artistic, Mead Making
Barry
Nelson
Director of Construction
Ensures delivery of all construction projects, anticipates site delays, solves problems to meet clients’ budget and drives a client focused process to exceed our clients’ expectations.
Experience
-
20+ years general contracting
-
Project scopes include ground-up, remodel, TI and owner representation on Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC’s).
-
Background in Commercial, Government, Healthcare and Retail construction. Hospital CFO for 20 years on the for-profit side of Healthcare.
-
Extensive knowledge in Accounting, budgeting, project development, project management and construction
30-Second Sound Bite
Father of 5, grandkids are wonderful. Love to drive country roads, sit on the porch and a good cigar. I enjoy listening to music, reading, and sitting on a beach anywhere. USAF veteran. Huge Huskers fan. Go Big Red!
George
Howell, CCIM
Associate Broker
Certified Commercial Investment Member
Responsible for finding our banking customers the most ideal retail footprint that best matches their goals and needs.
Experience
- 40+ years in real estate sales/leasing, including industrial, office, retail, and residential.
- Designated Broker of Merabank, and of Koll (now part of CBRE).
- Director of Real Estate for Babbitt Brothers Trading Company; broker western states, Circle K Corporation; broker with U-Haul International.
- Lifetime President’s Roundtable regional award by Phoenix Association of REALTORS®.
- Adjunct Lecturer, University of Arizona Department of Finance. Conducted all real estate courses.
30-Second Sound Bite
Interested in information technology, an avid reader, enjoys all family activities, fishing, quadding, boating, traveling.
William
Heller
Head of Pre-Construction
Responsible for estimating costs on all products and services offered by DBSI and establishing alternative solutions, value engineering, and best values to be offered to our clients.
Experience
- 40+ years of experience in the construction industry
- Design-build expertise
- Commercial, medical, industrial, government, recreation, residential
- New construction, tenant improvements, remodeling
- Estimating, operations, construction management, business development, design, project management
30-Second Sound Bite
Go Steelers! Tree hugger extraordinaire! Dogs, not cats! Ice cream and pie! Royal flush! Where triples go to die! Spirit in the sky!