About Us

We are a values-driven financial service company focused on creating value by helping our team members thrive, our customers succeed and our communities prosper.

Helping People Triumph

Triumph is a values-driven financial service company. We create value by helping our team members thrive, our customers succeed and our communities prosper. When we do this, we’re “Helping People Triumph.”

Leadership

Aaron P. Graft

Aaron P. Graft

Founder, Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Graft is the Founder, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Triumph Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBK).  He also serves as the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TBK Bank, SSB and is the Vice Chairman of Triumph Business Capital and a Director of Triumph Insurance Group, Inc. Mr. Graft also serves as a Director and as Vice Chairman of The Bank of the West of Thomas, Oklahoma.

Prior to establishing Triumph Bancorp, Inc., Mr. Graft served as the Founder and President of Triumph Land and Capital Management, LLC, where he oversaw the management of several multi-family and commercial real estate projects in receivership and led the acquisition of multiple pools of distressed debt secured by multi-family projects. Prior to Triumph, Mr. Graft worked for Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP (now Norton Rose Fulbright LLP) where he focused on distressed loan workouts.

Mr. Graft received a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, and a Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from Baylor University.  He is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. He also serves on the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board. In 2017, Mr. Graft received the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award in the Business & Financial Services category in the Southwest Region and the Baylor University 2017 Young Alumnus of the Year. In 2014, he was recognized by the Dallas Business Journal with the “40 Under 40” award.  He and his wife Kimberly have three children and reside in Dallas, Texas.

R. Bryce Fowler

R. Bryce Fowler

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Mr. Fowler is the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Public Information officer of TBK Bank, SSB and the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Triumph Bancorp, Inc.  He previously served as Chief Executive Officer under Triumph’s former name, Equity Bank, SSB.  He joined Equity Bank, SSB in 2008 to lead the effort to stabilize its financial condition, leading to its sale to Triumph in November 2010.

Mr. Fowler has been associated with banking since 1980.  His career includes fifteen years with Bluebonnet Savings Bank, SSB. where also served as Director, President and Chief Financial Officer.  Bluebonnet was a $3+ billion Southwest Plan institution formed from the acquisition of fifteen failed institutions in 1988.  He was a member of the Executive Committee that led Bluebonnet through the acquisition and consolidation of these institutions, implemented and managed the government assistance agreement, and expanded its state-wide lending operations to be national in scope.  Subsequent to the planned liquidation of Bluebonnet, Mr. Fowler was a partner in Cyma Fund Advisors, which managed a $100 million capital investment in a leveraged investment strategy.  Mr. Fowler began his career in 1980 in public accounting as an auditor primarily serving financial institution clients

Mr. Fowler received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas – Arlington and is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas (license inactive).

Adam Nelson

Adam Nelson

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

Mr. Nelson joined Triumph in 2013 and serves as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Triumph Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBK) and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, TBK Bank, SSB.

Prior to joining Triumph, Mr. Nelson served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of ACE Cash Express, Inc., a financial services retailer.  Prior to ACE, Mr. Nelson was an attorney with the firm of Weil Gotshal & Manges, LLP, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, management led buyouts, and private equity transactions.

Mr. Nelson received a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, in Economics from Baylor University and a Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from Harvard Law School.

Gail Lehmann

Gail Lehmann

Executive Vice President and Secretary

Ms. Lehmann is executive vice president and secretary of Triumph Bancorp, Inc. and executive vice president, chief operating officer and secretary of TBK Bank, SSB. She previously served as executive vice president, chief operating officer, chief information officer and secretary under Triumph’s former name, Equity Bank, SSB. Prior to that, Ms. Lehmann served as corporate compliance officer and senior vice president of risk management for Bluebonnet Savings Bank, FSB, a $3+ billion wholesale thrift. Ms. Lehmann has been in the banking industry for over 35 years, having worked at community banks, an international bank and several multi-bank holding companies ranging in size up to $5.3 billion. She has experience in all facets of banking operations having held positions in virtually all areas of bank operations with particular emphasis on regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management, information technology and venture capital environments. Additionally, Ms. Lehmann has extensive experience in the area of property management.

Ms. Lehmann received a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration/Political Science and Criminal Justice, from the University of Illinois.

Board of Directors

Aaron P. Graft

Aaron P. Graft

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Graft is the Founder, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Triumph Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBK).  He also serves as the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TBK Bank, SSB and is the Vice Chairman of Triumph Business Capital and a Director of Triumph Insurance Group, Inc. Mr. Graft also serves as a Director and as Vice Chairman of The Bank of the West of Thomas, Oklahoma.

Prior to establishing Triumph Bancorp, Inc., Mr. Graft served as the Founder and President of Triumph Land and Capital Management, LLC, where he oversaw the management of several multi-family and commercial real estate projects in receivership and led the acquisition of multiple pools of distressed debt secured by multi-family projects. Prior to Triumph, Mr. Graft worked for Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP (now Norton Rose Fulbright LLP) where he focused on distressed loan workouts.

Mr. Graft received a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, and a Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from Baylor University.  He is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. He also serves on the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board. In 2017, Mr. Graft received the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award in the Business & Financial Services category in the Southwest Region and the Baylor University 2017 Young Alumnus of the Year. In 2014, he was recognized by the Dallas Business Journal with the “40 Under 40” award.  He and his wife Kimberly have three children and reside in Dallas, Texas.

Carlos M. Sepulveda, Jr.

Carlos M. Sepulveda, Jr.

Chairman

Carlos M. Sepulveda, Jr. has served on our Board of Directors since 2010 and became Chairman in 2013. He also serves as Chairman of the Board at TBK Bank, SSB.

Mr. Sepulveda has served on the Board of Directors for Cinemark Holding, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) as a Director and as Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2007, and was appointed Lead Director in 2016.  In March 2014, he became a Director on the Board of Directors for Savoya, one of the world’s finest chauffeured ground transportation service providers and the industry leader in applying technology to deliver precise and reliable service to every passenger. Mr. Sepulveda served on the Board of Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR) as a Director and Audit Committee Chairman from 2013 to 2017.

Prior to coming to Triumph, Mr. Sepulveda was at Interstate Battery System International for 23 years, the last nine years as President & CEO.  He continues to serve as a Director on the Interstate Batteries Board of Directors, a position he has held since 1995.

Preceding his tenure at Interstate Batteries, Mr. Sepulveda gained more than 10 years of experience in various roles with KPMG Peat Marwick Accounting Firm in Austin, New York City and San Francisco, where he was an audit partner and designated associate SEC reviewing partner with the firm.

Mr. Sepulveda received his Bachelor of Business Administration with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his CPA, and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Texas Society of CPAs.

Debra A. Bradford

Debra A. Bradford

Director

Debra A. Bradford has served on our board of directors since 2020. Ms. Bradford is president and chief financial officer of First American Payment Systems, an industry leader and global solutions provider in merchant account services. She joined First American Payment Systems in 2001 and has served as president and chief financial officer since 2008. Ms. Bradford also serves on the board of directors and audit committee of First American Payment Systems.

Prior to joining First American Payment Systems, Ms. Bradford served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of ACE Cash Express, Inc., a financial services retailer, and in various roles, including chief operating officer, with IPS Card Solutions (formerly NTS, Inc.), a division of First Data Corporation.

Ms. Bradford graduated from University of Texas in Austin. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Laura Easley

Laura Easley

Director

Laura Easley has served on our board of directors since 2020. Ms. Easley was the chief operating officer of Transportation Insight, a leading enterprise solutions provider in the logistics and transportation industry, from 2012 until her retirement in 2019. She served in various other capacities at Transportation Insight from 2005 to 2019, including chief business development officer and chief solutions officer.

Prior to Transportation Insight, Ms. Easley served in various capacities with Menlo Worldwide, The Complete Logistics Company and ABF Freight System.

Ms. Easley received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Oklahoma State University. She serves on the Board of Directors for the OSU Cowboy Academy of Industrial Engineering and Management.

C. Todd Sparks

C. Todd Sparks

Director

C. Todd Sparks has served on our board of directors since 2010. He is vice president and chief financial officer of Discovery Operating Inc., where he has been employed since 1992. He currently serves on the board of directors for Patriot Drilling, LLC, First Capital Bank of Texas, First Bank of Texas (Holding Company), Trace Engines, LLC and High Sky Children’s Ranch. Mr. Sparks received a bachelor of business administration from Baylor University in 1989 and a master of business administration from Texas A&M University in 1992. Mr. Sparks’ extensive business and banking experience, as well as his long-standing business and banking relationships in the community, qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Michael P. Rafferty

Michael P. Rafferty

Director

Michael P. Rafferty has served on our board of directors since July 2014 and serves as chairman of the Audit Committee and also serves as a member of the Risk Management Committee. Mr. Rafferty was a member of the public accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP from 1975 until his retirement in 2013. He was admitted as partner of the firm in 1988 and served as the audit practice leader for the Southwest region from 2004 to 2013. During his career with Ernst & Young, he primarily served clients in the financial services and healthcare industries. Mr. Rafferty graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of New Orleans. Mr. Rafferty is a certified public accountant and is licensed in Texas and Louisiana. Mr. Rafferty’s extensive experience in the financial services industry qualifies him to serve on our board of directors. Mr. Rafferty also serves on the board of directors and Audit Committee of MoneyGram International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGI) since 2016.

Fred Perpall

Fred Perpall

Director

Fred Perpall has served on our board of directors since 2016. Mr. Perpall serves as the chief executive officer for The Beck Group, an architecture and construction company based in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Perpall has served as CEO since 2013, and has been with The Beck Group in other roles since 1999. Mr. Perpall began his career in the design and construction industry in 1996 and has been a registered architect since 2003. Prior to his time at Beck, Mr. Perpall worked for Gideon Toal Architects and Alexiou + Associates. Mr. Perpall serves on numerous boards and executive committees, including the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Dallas Citizens Council and The Carter Center. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Maribess L. Miller

Maribess L. Miller

Director

Maribess L. Miller has served on our board of directors since July 2014 and serves as chairperson of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Miller was a member of the public accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1975 until 2009, including serving as the North Texas market managing partner from 2001 until 2009; as Southwest region consumer, industrial products and services leader from 1998 until 2001; and as managing partner of that firm’s U.S. Healthcare Audit Practice from 1995 to 1998. Since 2010, Ms. Miller has served as a member of the board of directors and chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee for Zix Corporation (NASDAQ: ZIXI). Ms. Miller is also a member of the board of directors and chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee for Midmark Corp., a privately-held medical supply company. She was on the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy from 2009-2015, past board chair for the Texas Health Institute and is a board member and past chair of the board of the North Texas Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Texas Christian University. Ms. Miller is a certified public accountant. Ms. Miller’s extensive business experience qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.

Richard Davis

Richard Davis

Director

Richard Davis has served on our board of directors since 2010. He is founder and chief executive officer of Dallas-based DAVACO, Inc., a leading provider of retail, restaurant and hospitality service solutions. In 2000 and 2006, Mr. Davis was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and in 2006, he was inducted into the Retail Construction Hall of Fame. Mr. Davis currently serves on The Salvation Army’s Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Advisory Board and The Board of Advisors of the Baylor Angel Network with the Hankamer School of Business of Baylor University. Mr. Davis’ extensive experience in business qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Charles A. Anderson

Charles A. Anderson

Director

Charles A. Anderson has served on our board of directors since 2010. In 2003, Mr. Anderson co-founded Bandera Ventures, Ltd., a firm focused on industrial development and acquisitions, distressed office acquisitions and long-term lease opportunities. Prior to that, Mr. Anderson was associated with the Trammell Crow Company where he served as senior executive director, responsible for the Development and Investment Group for the Western half of the United States. Since 2014, Mr. Anderson has served on the board of directors and as a member of the investment and audit committees of Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE: HIW), a publicly traded real estate investment trust. He earned his bachelor of business administration and masters of business administration from Southern Methodist University, where he graduated summa cum laude. Mr. Anderson’s extensive experience in business and finance qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

 

Assets $235.6 million
Branches 2 total
Team 30 members

At the end of 2010, Triumph acquired EJ Financial and its banking subsidiary, Equity Bank. This led to the formation of Triumph Bancorp and Triumph Savings Bank and kicked off a decade of success.

 

Assets $252.5 million
Branches 2 total
Team 32 members

After a very successful year, Triumph spent the next twelve months of 2011 planning for the future and cleaning up their assets to prepare for the next decade of rapid growth.

 

Assets $301.5 million
Branches 2 total
Team 109 members

In 2012, we officially moved to our current headquarters in Dallas, Texas. This year was filled with new adventures starting with acquiring a leading transportation factoring company, Advance Business Capital, which later became known as Triumph Business Capital. By the fall, we had introduced two new members of the Triumph group, Triumph Commercial Finance and Triumph Capital Advisors.

 

Assets $301.5 million
Branches 19 total
Team 453 members

2013 was a big year for our business as we acquired THE National Bank in the Midwest. For our team members, we kicked off our annual trip to El Salvador with Living Water International and introduced our Texas-style BBQ trailer, The Money Pit. We were honored to close another great year with a new title from the Dallas Business Journal- one of the Best Places to Work.

 

Assets $1.4 billion
Branches 18 total
Team 453 members

We continued to grow in 2014 when we acquired Doral Healthcare Finance, which was later rebranded as Triumph Healthcare Finance, and launched Triumph Insurance Group. By the fall, we had completed the IPO process and were listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol TBK.

 

Assets $1.7 billion
Branches 19 total
Team 525 members

Halfway through the decade, our successes were recognized by the Dallas Business Journal and we were named one DFW’s fastest growing mid-sized companies. We continued to expand by launching our premium finance solutions provider, Triumph Premium Finance. And by the end of the year, we merged our two banks, forming TBK Bank, SSB.

 

Assets $2.6 billion
Branches 37 total
Team 730 members

2016 brought on even more growth with new acquisitions — ColoEast Bankshares, Inc. and its community banking subsidiary, Colorado East Bank & Trust and Southern Transportation Insurance Agency.

 

Assets $3.5 billion
Branches 51 total
Team 855 members

In 2017, our TBK Bank branch footprint grew even bigger with the acquisition of Valley Bank & Trust and 9 branches from Independent Bank. We also made the strategic decision to sell Triumph Capital Advisors.

 

Assets $4.6 billion
Branches 61 total
Team 1155 members

By 2018, we sold Triumph Healthcare Finance to CNH Finance and Triumph Business Capital acquired Interstate Capital Corporation. We expanded our presence in Colorado with the purchase of First National Bank of Durango and Citizens Bank of Pagosa Springs. We also entered New Mexico with the acquisition of Bank of New Mexico. We ended the year by christening the most ‘epic’ BBQ trailer yet, able to serve more Texas-style BBQ to our friends, customers and team members throughout our communities and our footprint.

 

Assets $5.1 billion
Branches 61 total
Team 1107 members

The year 2019 was a difficult one in many respects, but a successful one in others. We focused on credit discipline, core deposits and operating efficiency to drive greater value in our community bank platform. We also dedicated resources to transforming our transportation fintech platform at Triumph Business Capital and TriumphPay.

 

Assets $5.9 billion*
Branches 63 total
Team 1,216 members

Despite the challenges our world is facing in 2020, we continued to work toward our goals. Triumph Business Capital started the summer by acquiring transportation factoring assets from Transport Financial Solutions and we sold Triumph Premium Finance to Peoples Bank. During the same month, we celebrated the grand opening of our first TBK Bank full-service retail branch in Dallas, and we ended the summer on a high note after being named one of the Fortune 100 Fastest-Growing Companies.

*As of 12/31/2020

 

We are five brands with one purpose: Helping People Triumph.

With a robust combination of service and solutions in banking, commercial finance and business capital, along with the latest in financial technology solutions, we work to help people achieve a better financial life.

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  • Today

Our Values

Our values are based on biblical principles and sound business practices.

  • Transparency

    Transparency

    Communicate the truth consistently, directly and professionally. Open communication is the foundation of strong relationships.

  • Respect

    Respect

    Put the needs of others and the needs of the team before promoting your own agenda. Treat others as you want to be treated.

  • Invest for the Future

    Invest for the Future

    Do not allow the immediate to crowd out the important. Success that endures is built upon a long-term perspective.

  • Unique is Good

    Unique is Good

    Beware of following the crowd. Being unique can be difficult, but if it were easy, everyone would do it.

  • Mission is More than Money

    Mission is More than Money

    Make everything you are involved with better. This includes doing good works in the areas of the greatest need – in your community and around the world.

  • People Make the Difference

    People Make the Difference

    In any situation, the most important criteria for our success are the quality of our people and the quality of their thinking.

  • Humility

    Humility

    Model humility in all that you do. Humility is not passivity, as it requires the courage to prefer the needs of others over your own.

Interested in joining the Triumph team?

Careers at Triumph

Investing In Change

Our philanthropic vision is focused in four areas: training future leaders, establishing viable communities, serving the less fortunate, and giving people a second chance. We support these initiatives at home and around the world. We partner with entrepreneurs who share our philanthropic priorities, have a history of effective assistance programs, and are experts in their field of service. This allows us to do the most good in the areas of the greatest need.