Charles R. Lemons

Charles R. Lemons is the President/Chief Executive Officer of Empire Financial Services, Inc. with responsibility for business development, client loan support, credit review, underwriting and servicing. Charlie recently created a credit support function to streamline the credit analysis process, allowing lenders more client interaction opportunities.

A graduate of LSU's banking school, Charlie has dedicated his career to the banking and finance industry. Prior to joining Empire in 2007, Charlie spent fifteen years with BB&T in various roles, including business banking manager and Senior Vice President for the company's Western North Carolina region. His experience also includes being a corporate banker and Middle Market Lender for SunTrust for twelve years in Roanoke, Virginia and a commercial lender in Winston Salem, North Carolina for eight years.

When he is not working, Charlie's favorite pastime is golf. He also loves playing with & enjoying the company of his "Golden" children (retrievers), Harry and Jinx and of course, his wife of 25 years, Teri.


Laverne Allison

Laverne Allison began working at Empire Financial in 1989. With forty-four years of banking experience, she is responsible for management & operations, internal application management, computer system enhancements, general ledger, accounts payable, commercial loans, purchasing, and internal and external financial reporting.

Laverne has been married to her husband, Bruce for forty-eight years. They have two children, Bruce Jr. and Christine, three grandchildren and one great-grandson. She enjoys cooking, gardening, weekly family nights, afternoon motorcycle rides with her husband and cruise vacations.


David Dyer, III

David Dyer, III has been employed with Empire Financial for over 12 years. Prior to working for Empire, he worked as an Assistant Golf Professional at Milledgeville Country Club from 1993-1998. After graduating from Georgia College with a degree in Business Administration in 1998, he began working for Empire.

His duties include monitoring construction loan accounts, inspecting construction projects, processing construction draws and supplying inspection reports. He is also heavily involved in the management of Special Assets. The most enjoyable part of his job is watching a project go from the planning stage to completion and becoming a successful development.

David and his wife, Teresa, have three children: Juliann, Carson and Anna Louise. David enjoys hunting, fishing, working in his yard and coaching his children's sports teams in baseball, softball, basketball and football.


Tripp Becker

Tripp Becker is the Portfolio Manager for Empire Financial. His responsibilities range from loan production and servicing efforts to oversight of ongoing asset management and disposition. Prior to joining Empire in 2007, Tripp spent two years with Colonial Bank and three years with AmSouth Bank in Birmingham, Alabama.

Tripp is a graduate of Auburn University and enjoys playing golf, following college sports and spending time with his wife, Robin, and son, Hugh.


Denise Wansley

Denise Wansley has been with Empire Financial Services since 2004. She has experience in public accounting and was the CFO for a family-owned business for twenty years. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Accounting from Augusta College.

Empire's Servicing Department employs her skills to balance and reconcile all accounts, to prepare all wires and payments, and to compile the corporate financial documents. She assists the lenders and borrowers with their loan balances. The most enjoyable part of her job is building relationships with Empire's customers.

Denise is married to Jim Wansley. Between her and her husband, they have 3 children: Matt, Meghan and Jay, and also son-in-law Brian, daughter-in-law Stephanie, and granddaughter Brynn. She enjoys family gatherings, scrapbooking and baking. Denise is also involved with the Senior Outreach program at Vineville Methodist in Macon.


Jennifer Jones

Jennifer Jones, executive assistant to the CEO, has been with Empire Financial since 2004. In addition to greeting phone & in-office guests and her office coordinator duties, she also handles accounts payable, insurance renewals, insurance for the corporation's Special Asset properties and is the Assistant Corporate Secretary. The most rewarding aspect of her job is the relationships she's built with Empire's clients while answering the phone for so many years. Jennifer graduated from Georgia College & State University with a bachelor's degree in Public Relations.

Jennifer and her husband, Justin, have two small children, Blake & Lila. She immensely enjoys spending time with them, caring for their home in the country & entertaining friends & family. Jennifer is also a very active advocate for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, finding a cure for her son.


Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith has been with Empire Financial for over six years. She has over 21 years banking experience and has held various positions at several different banks. Sandy is also a certified paralegal, obtaining her certificate from Georgia College & State University.

In addition to banking, she worked several years for a real estate attorney. Sandy's jobs at Empire include processing loans, releasing collateral and acting as guardian of all loan files.

Sandy and Gary, her husband of 29 years, have a son, a daughter & a daughter-in-law together and enjoy spending time with each other fishing on the Oconee River, DIY home improvement projects and of course, being MiMi & Papa to their first grandchild, Grady.