TEAM
Prior to co-founding Sawyers & Jacobs LLC, Jimmy worked as a community banker, in the consulting division of a CPA firm, and at a tech startup. A graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, Jimmy’s 36 years of experience in the financial services technology field includes nine years directing the operations and technology division of a fast-growing bank and 27 years as a consultant to the financial services industry.
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 the 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, and nationally recognized for his entertaining presentations that engage, inform, and educate, Jimmy delivers valuable takeaways, practical advice, and a fresh perspective to complex issues.
Joshua Jacobs has 20 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 Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management (GCPM).
He is currently serving 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 is also the co-author of the SSCP Study Guide and DVD Training System. He specializes in cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing, network design and support, and network virtualization.
Joshua, his wife Mary, and their four children, live in Germantown, Tennessee.
A native of Evansville, Indiana, Patrick, his wife, and two children live in Bartlett, Tennessee.
Jason, his wife Elizabeth, and their three children live in Marion, Arkansas.
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.
Matthew and his wife, Savannah, and daughter live in Collierville, Tennessee.
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. 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.
Lindsey Alexander helps our clients with tech provider evaluations and vendor management programs.
Experienced in pricing analyses, advanced data analytics, and financial risk management, Lindsey has worked as a Senior Credit Analyst at a large regional bank, a Financial Analyst at a Fortune 500 company, and at a regional accounting firm. She brings a vast knowledge of financial analysis to our system selection engagements and our vendor management programs, helping our clients get the best return on investment in their tech provider relationships.
Lindsey currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Christian Brothers University. She graduated from Christian Brothers University with a B.S. in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) with a Concentration in Forensic Accounting.
Lindsey, her husband Cale, and their two dogs and cat live in Hernando, Mississippi.
Dana helps our clients by being their personal connection and vanguard for the firm as we strive for 100% client satisfaction in all that we do. She is involved with client projects on multiple levels, from initial engagement to client deliverables and ongoing client communication.
With over 20 years of experience working for national financial services consulting firms, she has a keen understanding of the issues unique to the industry. Prior to joining Sawyers & Jacobs, she was the team leader for a well-respected and long-running national executive peer group forum for community bankers, which involved directing and overseeing multiple continuing education and networking conferences annually across the nation.
Dana received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in history from Baylor University, and she also holds a Master of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing from Baylor.
Dana, her husband Bo, and their two sons live in Austin, Texas.
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.
Molly, her husband Ethan, and their two sons live in Bartlett, 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 aspires to deepen his skills by achieving multiple certifications in his field. When Kyle is not busy studying for his upcoming Security+ certification exam, 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 pet puggle, Luke.
