Jerry Williams and Orion Bank: Scoring a Hole in One

Jerry Williams' and Orion Bank's success did not happen overnight. But for a small-town Texan boy, Williams has come a long way and definitely aced life and career like the passionate golfer he is by hitting it big with his success following him all the way to the Sunshine State.

From Jerry J. Williams

Jerry Williams began his career as banker with the Huntington Bank at Ohio. At the age of 27, even before completing his graduate degree at the Rutgers University’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Williams and his colleagues acquired The First National Bank of the Florida Keys. In 1995, he founded the Gulf Coast National Bank in Naples. In 2002, he managed to merge two banks and Jerry Williams’ Orion Bank was established, christened after the prominent constellation. In spite of the global recession, the company takes pride in having built 23 offices and accumulating a total of over $3 billion assets in less than a decade.

From Jerry J. Williams

A business magnate, Williams had held several distinct positions in the industry, including Chairman of the Florida Bankers Association and of the FBA Government Relations Council, Executive Committee Tier II Representative of the FBA, and Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. In 2006, he was honored by the American Bankers as “Community Banker of the Year.”

Blessed with a wonderful family, Jerry Williams and wife, Heather, have three adorable sons named Conrad, Hunter, and Wade. Apart from enjoying the simple pleasures in life, Jerry Williams actively participates in philanthropic activities. The American Heart Association, United Way of Monroe County, and The Community School of Naples are just a few of the organizations he is involved with.

From Jerry J. Williams

An avid skier and golfer, Williams seems to take on the disciplines of these sports not only in the field but at work and at home as he herringbones and cruises through every challenge to score birdies, eagles, and holes in one.

Learn more about Jerry Williams and Orion Bank at linkedin.com/company/orion-bank.

One Vision, One Voice: Jerry Williams, Orion Bank's CEO on his Goals for the FBA

Jerry Williams, Orion Bank’s founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, was appointed Chairman of the Florida Bankers Association (FBA) in 2005. The FBA serves as the primary resource through which financial service providers in Florida can work together in order to influence the state and federal regulatory environment in which financial institutions serve their customers. The FBA also aims to maximize its members’ ability to compete effectively and profitably while having a positive influence on the economic well-being of all citizens of the state.

From Jerry Williams

Williams’ theme for 2005 was "One Vision, One Voice," which spoke volumes about his goals for the FBA and for the banking industry of Florida, shaping it into a successful, competitive, and thriving industry. Jerry Williams’ Orion Bank owes much of its success to a measured approach to goal setting, recognizing the institution’s strengths and capitalizing on them. Williams, during his stint as FBA Chairman, used the same philosophy and succeeded in communicating the needs of Florida’s unified banking industry. Through his leadership, the FBA became a very powerful force in the banking industry.

From Jerry J. Williams

Jerry Williams achieved his professional goals and succeeded in raising a happy, exceptional family while making significant contributions to the Florida community. His personable nature, combined with his focus, determination, and dedication to the banking industry made him the perfect choice to head the FBA.

From Jerry J. Williams

More information on Jerry Williams may be found on his Facebook profile.

Jerry Williams on Orion Bank’s Mission: Jack of a Few Trades, Master of One

Banking experience with us would be different—and exceptional.
– Jerry Williams, Orion Bank Founder and Former President and CEO

In 1987, on the cusp of his third decade, Texas-bred Jerry Williams moved in for the first time in Florida. He just inherited the mantle of responsibility as the President of the First National Bank of the Florida Keys. The bank had been around for 10 years, was barely surviving with a pair of branches and $30 million in assets, and posed a challenge to the newcomer Williams.

From Florida Keys Public Libraries

Young and daring, he turned his flair for the financial industry into a fruitful endeavor. “I didn’t know what to expect,” remarked Williams, now in his 40s. In 1994, he was able to expand the bank’s network across the Keys and along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Jerry Williams saw Orion Bank at this point; he himself had been laying the foundation for his vision.

When the bank’s transition took place, Williams and his team considered renaming the company in an effort to set the bank apart from other financial institutions. The name Orion—which means Hunter—foreshadowed the financial integrity and strength that the bank had become nationally known for.

From AMagill

“Our goal has always been to excel in the products and services we provide our customers instead of looking for the latest banking trend or fad that comes along,” Williams said about the company’s steadfast focus on the bank’s mission to specialize on commercial lending and core banking services.

Jerry Williams had been firm in his leadership philosophies. He did not believe in the “all things to all people” approach to banking—and this single-mission principle had kept the bank standing and growing.

From 416style

More information about Jerry Williams can be found at linkedin.com/in/jerrywilliams.

Jerry Williams Beyond Orion Bank: An Innovator and Family Man

From Blogger Pictures

Jerry Williams, formerly Orion Bank's CEO and Chairman, has consistently displayed his capabilities as a leader and innovator. The public is very familiar with his confident and assured nature, but few have knowledge about his life after work hours. Here is a glimpse of the man behind his office desk.


Jerry Williams is a self-made entrepreneur who grew up in the small city of Athens, Texas. He ran track and played football during high school, and enjoyed hanging out with his two brothers. High school peers dubbed him as “Most Popular” as Williams strove to do his best to initiate change within the community.

Jerry Williams Photo Credit: City of Athens, Texas, Department of Tourism

Perhaps the success of Jerry Williams, before Orion Bank even started to exist, is greatly emphasized by his small-city roots. Aside from having a loving and handsome family, Williams is now the proud owner of a highly respected reputation, a sleek private jet, the latest BMW model, and numerous accolades— accomplishments which may seem too big, or unheard of, among the 12,000 population of Athens, Texas.

Jerry Williams Photo Credit: AMagill

During his free time, Williams prefers to spend time with his wife, Heather, and their three sons. He grooms his sons to become athletes like him, and often takes out the boys to play golf or hockey. To his family, Williams is a generous, driven, and extremely passionate person.


Yet despite his laidback attitude with his family, Williams is known for his driven nature and amazing vision for his organizations. More insight on the life of Jerry Williams is available at linkedin.com/in/jerryjwilliams.

Jerry Williams Photo Credit: emdot