Leadership

Steven F. Retzloff serves as Senior Executive Chairman of Stellar Bank and Executive Chairman of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. He joined the Company in connection with the merger of equals with Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. and CBTX, Inc. in 2023. Mr. Retzloff previously served as Chairman of Allegiance Bank and CEO of Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. and was one of the organizers of the Bank. Mr. Retzloff has over 39 years of business experience and 30 years of Houston Banking experience. He served as a director of Sterling Bancshares, Inc., a publicly traded multi-billion dollar financial institution, and Sterling Bank from 1987 to 2006, including terms as Chairman of the board of Sterling Bancshares from 1990 to 1992 and from 2004 to 2005. He is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Retzloff Industries, Inc. and is an advisory director to Pharos Capital Partners III. Prior to co-founding Allegiance Bank, Mr. Retzloff owned and managed Travis Body & Trailer, Inc., a nationwide manufacturer of specialized truck trailers. His past work experience also includes General Motors, Bristol Myers and Retzloff Capital Corporation. Mr. Retzloff received an Industrial Engineering degree from The Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree (with distinction) from the Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University. Mr. Retzloff currently serves as a director of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, Faith in Practice, The Open Door Mission, the Greater Houston Partnership and, since 2021, the Houston Food Bank also serving as a member of its finance committee. He also serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Greater Houston Partnership. He previously served as Vice President of the Kinkaid School Investments Foundation and previously served as trustee of Pines Presbyterian Church and on the advisory board for the Mays School Banking Program at Texas A&M University and Fuller Texas School of Theology. Mr. Retzloff's significant experience as a director and officer of community banks and his extensive leadership skills qualify him to serve on our board.

Mr. Franklin serves as Executive Chairman of Stellar Bank and Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. He previously served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBTX, Inc. Mr. Franklin began his more than 40-year Houston banking career working for a small community bank in Houston upon graduation from the University of Texas. Mr. Franklin graduated from the University of Texas in 1977 with a BBA in Finance. He is currently serving on the Board of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and previously served on the Board of the Texas Bankers Association. Mr. Franklin has actively served various charitable organizations over the years, along with serving on the board of a local private school.

Mr. Vitulli serves as Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Bank and President of Stellar Bancorp. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Allegiance Bank and President of Allegiance Bancshares, Inc. He has over 30 years of banking experience, getting his start as a loan review examiner at Charter National Bank in Houston, then moving to Sterling Bank until joining Allegiance Bank in 2007, prior to the bank’s opening. Mr. Vitulli serves on the boards of Texas Bankers Association and CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare and previously served on the board of the St. Pius X High School Foundation. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance.

Management Stellar Bancorp, Inc.