Wendell Bontrager
President and Chief Lending Officer, Sonata Bank
Wendall Bontrager serves as Sonata Bank's chief lending officer. With three decades of banking experience, he specializes in developing high-performance teams, developing and implementing organic growth initiatives, and has led organizations ranging from a de novo bank to a multi-state bank with $4 billion in assets. His extensive experience includes strategic revenue initiatives for privately held businesses in the payment technology industry, managing turnarounds and restructuring, and merger integrations, leading seven acquisitions in two years. Bontrager most recently served as president and board member of Wichita, Kansas-based Equity Bank.
Dan Dellinger
Chief Executive Officer, Sonata Bank
A Nashville veteran banker with three decades of experience, Dan Dellinger serves as Sonata Bank president and chief executive officer. In addition to Sonata, Dellinger was instrumental in the formation of Premier Bank of Brentwood (now BancorpSouth) and the 2005 formation of Reliant Bank (now United Community Bank), helping to lead the bank through its emerging growth years to becoming one of largest community banks in Tennessee. During his 15-year tenure at Reliant, Dellinger served as chief financial officer and on the board of directors prior to the bank going public in 2015. As CFO, he led Reliant's financial management strategies, merger and acquisition initiatives and investor relations. Dellinger's community and banking industry involvement includes being an active supporter of the Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America and serving as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has served in leadership roles with Tennessee Bankers Association and as an instructor with The Southeastern School of Banking.
In this episode Dan and Wendell talk about how the bank was formed, their own history, and why this bank is unique. Stay tuned until the end to find out their favorite spots in Brentwood!
