TEAM

Jimmy Sawyers helps banks tackle issues ranging from strategic technology planning and system selection to cybersecurity and enterprise risk management.

A graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, Jimmy started his career in financial services technology at a fast-growing bank, where he was chosen at the young age of 21 to lead the bank’s operations and technology division, becoming one of the youngest officers in the history of the 100-year-old bank.  Later, he directed the consulting division of a prominent CPA and consulting firm before joining a tech startup and then co-founding Sawyers & Jacobs LLC.

Jimmy is on the faculty of the Barret Graduate School of Banking at Christian Brothers University, the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University, The Southeastern School of Banking at Belmont University, the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia, and the Mississippi School of Banking at the University of Mississippi, where he teaches technology, payments, cybersecurity, and/or risk management courses at all five schools.

Jimmy has authored two books on technology and risk management in community banks, is a frequent contributor to industry publications, and is a regular on the banking industry speaking circuit.

Known as one of the most independent and informed voices in the industry, in addition to being nationally recognized for his entertaining presentations that engage, inform, and educate, Jimmy always delivers valuable takeaways, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on complex issues.

Joshua Jacobs has 22 years of experience providing information technology consulting services and solutions focusing on financial institutions. He is an Indiana University Kelly School of Business graduate with a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) and a Christian Brothers University graduate with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management (GCPM).

He has served as an adjunct faculty member at his alma mater, Christian Brothers University, teaching a course on Digital Forensics that is part of the Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics degree program.  Joshua is also on the faculty of the South Carolina Bankers School at Lander University, where he teaches the cybersecurity and banking course.  He holds numerous IT and IT security certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), the GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), and the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP).  He specializes in cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing, network design and support, and network virtualization.

Jason Corder helps our clients with a variety of IT and risk management issues while drawing on his extensive background in bank operations and regulatory compliance.  Prior to joining our team, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Information Security Officer for a community bank, with responsibilities including oversight of bank operations, information technology, loan review, risk management, and asset/liability management.  Jason’s banking experience also includes the role of Senior Bank Examiner for the Arkansas State Bank Department.  As a Safety and Soundness Examiner, Jason evaluated banks for regulatory compliance, financial soundness, and appropriate risk management controls.  He graduated from Arkansas State University with a B.S. in Finance and Union University with a Master of Christian Studies.  Jason is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and he holds the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification.

Jason, his wife Elizabeth, and their three children live in Marion, Arkansas.

Matthew Evans helps our clients in several areas including Business Continuity consulting, risk assessment facilitation, IT Reviews, Bank Secrecy Act Independent Testing, and Social Media consulting.  He is responsible for several aspects of firm marketing, social media, special events, deliverables, and client communication.  With eighteen years of experience in the service industry, Matt is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a B.B.A. in Marketing Management.  Matthew helps us deliver superior client satisfaction and cultivate successful long-term relationships with our clients and business partners.

Matthew and his wife, Savannah, and their two daughters live in Collierville, Tennessee.

Patrick Glaser has over twenty years of experience in desktop and server support as a systems engineer and business analyst. Before joining the Sawyers & Jacobs team, his previous work includes a technology support firm, regional CPA and consulting firm, and more recently a Fortune 100 corporation where he was involved in new product testing and development. Patrick’s educational background in telecommunications, his expert troubleshooting skills, and his dedication to superior client service make him a valuable member of our team and an excellent resource for our clients.

A native of Evansville, Indiana, Patrick, his wife, and two children live in Bartlett, Tennessee.

Chris Gulley has twenty years of experience in the information technology field with a background in security operations as well as design and implementation of technical infrastructure.  Before joining our firm, Chris served as Senior Security Analyst for a world-renowned children’s research hospital where he engaged cybersecurity measures to protect donor information.  A former community banker, Chris served as Information Security Officer (ISO) and Director of IT for a fast-growing community bank after serving in the same roles at a securities firm.

His roles have included researching and evaluating security practices, performing network penetration testing, and vulnerability scans, implementing Security Information Event Management (SIEM) systems, and managing server, network, and desktop support.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Chris, his wife, and two children live in Cordova, Tennessee.

A native of West Memphis, Buzz spent his undergraduate years at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology before moving to Fayetteville and earning his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Arkansas School of Law.  While in law school, Buzz was published in the December 2020 edition of the Arkansas Law Review and studied topics ranging from secured transaction, federal income taxation, and bankruptcy to contracts, sales, and intellectual property rights.  Drawing on his history in complex data analytics, professional responsibility, and zealous client advocacy, Buzz assists our clients by providing information technology consulting and analyzing risk management strategies.

Back home in the Memphis area once again, Buzz lives with his wife Sarah and their two dogs, Molly and Frankie.

Derrick Jones has 28 years of experience in the Information Technology field, with a strong background in Operations, Information Security, and Tech Design & Support.  Derrick served in several IT and security roles at a fast-growing community bank with multi-state operations where he helped this bank integrate systems at several acquisitions.

His banking career also included managing a team of helpdesk and network support specialists, overseeing patch and vulnerability management, and facilitating IT change management processes.  Derrick was on the team for security monitoring and incident response as he worked hard to protect the information assets of his bank.  Derrick holds several IT certifications, including the Security+, and he now brings that wealth of experience and work ethic to our team as he helps our clients in several tech and cybersecurity areas.

Derrick, his wife, April, and their two children are natives of West Tennessee.

Kyle Santos assists our clients by providing cybersecurity and consulting services, with a specialization in vulnerability scans and targeted spear phishing tests. His passion for computers and information technology started at an early age, influenced by a friend who built his own computer in middle school. Since that time, Kyle has developed a robust repertoire of digital expertise that includes application and web development, computer system design and architecture, and security compliance and auditing. One of the things he enjoys most about his role is helping our clients enhance their cybersecurity preparedness by determining any potential weaknesses and giving them practical, real-world advice on methods to make their security even stronger.

A graduate of Christian Brothers University with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics with a minor in Mathematics, Kyle has earned his Security+ certification and aspires to deepen his skills by achieving multiple certifications in his field. When Kyle is not busy studying for his certification exams, he enjoys reading science fiction novels and keeping up with the latest independent and foreign films. He currently resides in Olive Branch, Mississippi, with his puggle, Luke, and his goldendoodle, Rocket.

A graduate of Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, Nick earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance while serving as captain of the baseball team.  Showing the same hustle he had on the playing field, Nick now provides consulting services in the areas of IT Audit and Risk Management.  A native of Jacksonville, Florida, now living in Cordova, Tennessee, Nick draws on his experience in business operations to help our clients balance practical risk mitigation with an excellent customer experience and increased profitability.