Michael Brown

2019 – Michael “Mike” Brown, Retired CEO Harbor Community Bank

and Director, CenterState Bank

     Mike Brown has been active in the banking industry since he was 24 years old.  He was born in the Midwest and graduated from St. Louis University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science of Commerce and major in Finance.

     In 1972, after visiting Florida on vacation, he applied for a position at a bank in Miami and was hired. In 1974, he relocated to Fort Pierce after accepting a position as Chief Financial Officer at First Federal Savings and Loan. The bank’s name was later changed to Harbor Federal Savings and Loan, with Mike eventually becoming the Chief Executive Officer at the age of 34.

     A period of strong growth followed, with Harbor Federal eventually having numerous locations spanning 10 counties in Florida.

     In 1993, Harbor Federal’s stock was first sold publicly through the New York Stock Exchange, making it the first publicly-traded business that was headquartered in Fort Pierce.  At that time, 49.9% of the bank was valued at $44 million.  In 1998, the second half Harbor Federal’s stock was valued at $166 million, or $320 million overall.

     In 2006, Harbor Federal was sold to National City Bank and Mike retired.

     A few years later, the original management team joined forces and established a new bank, Harbor Community Bank.  Mike served as its Chairman and CEO from 2001-2018. Harbor Community acquired banks in Palatka, St. Augustine, Sebring, Sarasota, Tampa, and Fort Pierce. In 2018, Harbor Community, which was valued at several billion dollars and employed more than 400 employees throughout Florida, was sold to CenterState Bank.  After retiring from Harbor Community, Mike remained on the Board of CenterState Bank.

     Throughout his six-decades long career in the banking industry, Mike was active in numerous state and national organizations, including serving as a member of the Federal Reserve Thrift Institution Advisory Council from 2003-04.  He served as Chairman of the Florida League of Financial Institutions and Florida Bankers Association Board of Directors from 1991-92.

     Mike, along with his wife Mimi, are actively involved in serving and supporting countless non-profits and community organizations in Fort Pierce, including Fort Pierce Rotary, St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council, Treasure Coast Hospice, Lawnwood Hospital Board of Directors, Harbor Branch Foundation Board, Hands Clinic, and the Sunrise Theatre.