Experience & EDUCATION
Paul Noris is the CEO & Chairman of the Board at Bank of Central Florida, a financial institution he founded 18 years ago with a vision to serve the community with personalized banking solutions. With over three decades of experience in the banking industry, Paul has been instrumental in guiding the bank's strategic direction and maintaining strong relationships with the Board and shareholders.
Before establishing Bank of Central Florida, Paul had a 16-year career at SunTrust, where he served as the Lakeland City President. His extensive experience in the banking sector has made him a respected leader and a trusted advisor within the community.
Paul holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Florida, obtained in 1987. His commitment to continuous learning and excellence in leadership has been recognized through several prestigious awards. In May 2024, Paul was honored with the United Way George W. Jenkins Outstanding Volunteer Award, acknowledging his significant contributions to the community. Additionally, he received the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce George Jenkins Award in February 2020, further reflecting his reputation as a dedicated and impactful community leader.
Paul is deeply involved in various community organizations. He is a past Chair of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Business Voice, and the Lakeland Regional Hospital Foundation. He also served as the Past President of the Explorations V Children’s Museum. Paul is currently a Board Member of the United Way of Central Florida and was the Chair of the 2017 United Way Campaign. He is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XVI and chaired Leadership Lakeland Class XXXIII. Moreover, Paul serves on the Board of Overseers at the Barney Barnett School of Business at Florida Southern College, contributing his expertise to the development of future business leaders.
Paul is a banking industry expert and has spoken at the I-4 Commercial Real Estate Conference for the CCIM Florida Chapter, the Florida Southern College Student Capstone Class, and on the Leadership podcast for Lakeland Business Owners. He also served as the Honorary Chair for the Alliance For Independence.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Paul is a devoted family man and active community member. His leadership and dedication continue to inspire those around him, both within the banking industry and in the broader community.