James H. Sills, III
President and CEO
Mechanics and Farmers Bank

James H. Sills, III – President and CEO of Mechanics and Farmers Bank headquartered in Durham, NC.  M&F Bank has total assets of $265 Million and seven branch locations in 5 major markets within North Carolina.  M&F Bank is the 2nd oldest African American owned bank in the U.S. Mr. Sills’ background includes a unique combination of executive experience within large-scale banking operations, community banks and government organizations.  He has over 30 years of Banking and Technology Management experience. Prior to relocating to Durham in 2014, Mr. Sills served as the Cabinet Secretary and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the State of Delaware.

In 2014, Mr. Sills was selected IT Executive of the Year by Government Technology Magazine. Prior to his Cabinet Secretary appointment, Mr. Sills served as Executive Vice President of MBNA America Bank (now Bank of America).  Mr. Sills received a BA from Morehouse College and MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Sills is very active in the community. He serves on the following Boards: North Carolina State Chamber of Commerce, Durham County Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Bankers Association, Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Durham Tech Foundation Board, (DDI) Downtown Durham, Inc., Board of Visitors NC A&T State University and NC Central University, ICBA Minority Banking Council and Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.