Executive Management

Dominik Mjartan is the President & CEO of American Bancorp and its subsidiary, American Pride Bank. He also serves as Vice Chairman of Optus Bank and Optus Financial Corporation. Previously, he was President and CEO of Optus from 2017 until August 2024, leading the bank’s transformation from a troubled institution into a high-performing, digital, mission-driven bank. During his tenure, Optus' total assets grew over 1,100%, from $47 million to over $600 million, and the loan portfolio expanded from $27 million to $400 million. Shareholders saw a 240% increase in equity.

Dominik is a founding director of Climate First Bank, serves on the boards of the Community Development Bankers Association and National Bankers Association, and has been featured in NPR’s Marketplace and the Wall Street Journal. He was recently named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in the Southeast U.S. Prior to Optus, he was an executive at Southern Bancorp, where he served as Executive VP and CEO of its affiliated lending company.

Dominik immigrated to the U.S. from Czechoslovakia at 16 and holds a B.S. in management from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from the University of Ulster. He and his wife, Georgia, have three children.

Kristie McMahan brings nearly 25 years of diverse banking experience to her role as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. Her broad expertise spans credit and risk management, commercial and private banking, and operational leadership. Throughout her career, she has held key leadership positions including Director of Commercial Administration, Credit Administration Manager, Loan Operations Manager, and Senior Credit Underwriter.

Kristie’s background also includes roles as a relationship manager and portfolio manager as well as financial leadership positions in private equity and international manufacturing. This unique blend of experience gives her a comprehensive perspective on financial strategy and credit discipline.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Wofford College and an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Risk Management from the University of Georgia. Kristie is known for her strategic insight, commitment to sound credit practices, and dedication to supporting long-term organizational growth.

Kristie resides in Decatur, Georgia with her husband, Scott, and their two daughters.

In August of 2021, Ms. Bell joined American Pride Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  Ms. Bell oversees financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, regulatory reporting, investment management, information technology, deposit operations, and asset/liability management for American Pride Bank.  Prior to joining American Pride Bank, Ms. Bell most recently worked as Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. and SouthCrest Bank, N.A., Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to being responsible for accounting, financial and regulatory reporting, she was responsible for managing deposit operations, compliance (including BSA), information security and audit.  Prior to SouthCrest Bank, Bell was a partner with Mauldin & Jenkins, CPA firm in Atlanta, Georgia.  While in public accounting, Ms. Bell’s focus was primarily on providing audit, tax, internal audit and consulting services to non-public as well as SEC registered financial institutions. Bell is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and is a certified public accountant.  In her spare time, Becky enjoys spending time with her family, hiking/walking, travel, and watching sports. 

Terry graduated from the University of West Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She began her career in the financial services industry in 1996 with Wells Fargo Financial, where she held various roles, including Branch Manager and District Sales Relationship Manager. Terry also worked as a Mortgage Consultant with Goldstar Mortgage before entering the banking world in 2006 with RBC Bank.

Jessica Bluj

Elizabeth Moraff works closely with the executive team to lead strategic, cross-department initiatives that support the bank’s mission and long-term success. She stepped into the role in March 2025 after joining the bank in fall 2024 as Vice President, Director of Marketing and Communications.

Before joining American Pride Bank, Elizabeth was Senior Strategist for Marketing and Communications at Ruby Brick, a boutique agency specializing in nonprofit organizations engaged in place-based revitalization. In that role, she worked with clients across the country, many of whom collaborated with or pursuing status as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). This experience gave her a deep appreciation for how banking can shape communities and help people build strong, meaningful lives right where they are. While at Ruby Brick, Elizabeth planned and led campaigns to support clients in raising more than $200 million in philanthropic dollars. She worked closely with Ruby Brick’s CEO to increase the company’s revenue by nearly tenfold during her tenure at the firm.

Elizabeth brings more than a decade of experience in cross-cultural collaboration, community development, and partnership-building. 

Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys baking and reading novels or poetry. In the winter, you can find her ice skating with her two daughters and husband.

LaQuanda Billingslea