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Meet the team
Meet our team serving Western Ohio's commercial businesses.
Jonathan started his banking career in 2004, just two days after graduating from Cedarville University. He always had interest in banking as a career path and knew that helping businesses and owners reach their goals was important. Drawn to the organization, Jonathan joined First Financial Bank in 2012 due to their commitment to business lending, corporate value proposition and local delivery model.
Supporting his team in helping them win valuable relationships for the bank, coaching and mentoring are a few of Jonathan’s biggest attributes as he leads the Western OH team.
Staying active in his community, Jonathan currently serves on the loan committee for the Downtown Dayton Investment Funds, is a board member and treasurer of Bible Fellowship Church and a board member of Give Thanks Foundation.
Michael brings 13 years of dedicated experience in the Southwest Ohio banking landscape to his role here at First Financial Bank. Initiating his career with U.S. Bank's Leadership Development Program, he subsequently advanced through key sectors such as Retail, Business Banking, Global Treasury Management, Commercial Banking, and Corporate Payments. Transitioning to First Financial Bank, Michael was warmly welcomed by an established network of professional peers who attested to the institution's excellent culture and market standing.
Over the course of his career, Michael has built enduring, impactful relationships with his clients. He prioritizes collaborating with senior business leaders and key community stakeholders with the goal of elevating the local business environment. Concurrently, he leverages his banking acumen to facilitate capital access and simplify the complexities of commercial banking.
Committed to community enrichment, Michael actively engages in numerous non-profit organizations. He serves as a Board Leader at Ignite Peace, a Board Member for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) and sits on the Finance Committee for the Wright State Alumni Association.
Born and raised in Tipp City, Christa has 30 years of experience in banking, with the last 20 in Treasury Management. She joined First Financial in 2019 to be a part of the growth and consultative approach, while focusing on the Dayton and Northern Ohio Markets.
Christa’s combined knowledge, expertise, and consultative approach, aid in delivering the right tailored solutions to her clients; helping them reach their goals and successfully run their business.
Jim has more than 20 years’ experience in the banking industry. All his clients, large or small are unique and First Financial Bank offers the care everyone needs. Jim is passionate about helping take his clients and their companies to the next level.
Jim has shown his dedication to both his clients and the bank and has been the recipient of First Financial’s Leaders Circle award twice.
Active in his community, Jim stays involved in the Rotary Club of Lima, is a committee chair and past board president of Downtown Lima Inc., and the treasurer for the Johnny Appleseed Parks for the People. He currently sits as the president of the board for the Allen County Historical Society.
Mark has been in banking for more than 25 years, starting out as a part-time teller. He joined First Financial Bank knowing he could do more for his clients. Mark doesn’t count his wins by closing deals, he prides himself on doing what is right for the client to make them successful. Learning about the client and building the relationship, Mark is able to bring solutions to the table that satisfy all parties.
Mark’s determination and dedication has resulted in him receiving several quarterly awards over his career, as well as the top sales award twice.
Staying connected in his community, Mark is involved with multiple organizations including sitting as treasurer for Centerville Hustle Basketball and Miami Valley Down Syndrome. He is also a board member of Homefull.
Ron is a Vice President in Commercial Banking with First Financial Bank. He has more than 40 years of commercial banking experience in a wide variety of industries, specializing in manufacturing, distribution, and construction. His current area of expertise is in commercial lending projects of $3MM to $30MM in loan capacity.
Ron has a passion for structuring loan packages that aid local business owners in reaching their corporate and individual goals. His commercial banking and insurance experience began as a Bank Teller in 1979, moving into commercial lending in 1986 after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. In 1995 Ron left banking to run his own employee benefit, insurance, investment, and lending firm divesting of the business in 2009 and returning to banking.
In addition, Ron also has a master’s degree in international finance and currently holds the CLU, ChFC, and RHU designations and an Ohio insurance license. He formerly held the series 6, 7, and 66 securities licenses.
Spending his entire 30-year career at the bank, Ed worked for People’s Trust Co., later becoming MainSource, right out of college as a loan officer and worked his way up to the Commercial Market Director, SVP in Troy Ohio.
Within the bank, Ed has been recognized as a Top Producer or Performer more than a dozen times as well as receiving the Leader Circle award six times since merging with First Financial.
When Ed isn’t closing deals or open water scuba diving, he volunteers within his community. He sits on several boards including, Troy Development Council as past President and current Executive Full Board member, Troy Planning Commission, Troy Tax Appeal Board, and the CIC of Troy (City Improvement Corporation) -Member of Board since 2014 and President since 2022.
