BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sept. 18, 2017 – Regions Financial directors Carolyn H. Byrd and John E. Maupin Jr. have been included on the 2017 Black Enterprise Registry of Corporate Directors, an exclusive roster of African Americans who serve on the boards of directors among the nation’s 500 largest publicly traded companies. They are recognized in the July/August 2017 issue of Black Enterprise magazine for their achievements and contributions.
“Strong corporate governance is the foundation of sustainable business and a diverse board brings skills, experience, and expertise that reflects the communities we serve,” said Grayson Hall, chairman, president and CEO of Regions Financial. “I extend my sincere congratulations to Carolyn and John on this recognition. They bring a wealth of knowledge, insight and expertise to their roles, and we are fortunate to have individuals of their caliber serving on the Regions board.”
Regions continues to be recognized for its corporate governance practices, including efforts to strengthen board diversity. Today Regions’ board is 36 percent diverse based on gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. In 2016 Directors Byrd and Maupin were named to Savoy magazine’s “Power 300: 2016 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors.” Additionally, Regions was recognized in 2016 as a 2020 Women on Boards Winning “W” Company, a designation assigned to public and private companies whose boards are comprised of 20 percent or more women.
“I join Grayson in congratulating Carolyn and John on this honor, and appreciate their many contributions to the Regions board,” said Charles McCrary, Lead Independent Director and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. “Diversity and inclusion are essential to achieving and maintaining a thriving company, and the board seeks to maintain a diverse membership that reflect a range of talents, ages, skills, backgrounds, and expertise, as part of our overall commitment to strong corporate governance.”
Regions is committed to continuously strengthening corporate governance practices. Over the past 18 months, the board has adopted proxy access, appointed three new independent directors; further expanded the responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director; enhanced the board’s self-evaluation program; assigned oversight of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility to the board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; enhanced director recruitment criteria; and appointed a Chief Governance Officer.
Biographical Information:
Carolyn Byrd joined the Regions Board of Directors in 2010 and chairs the Audit Committee. Byrd is the chairman and chief executive officer for GlobalTech Financial, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia, which she founded in 2000. Byrd serves on the board for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Prior to forming GlobalTech in 2000, Byrd had a long career with The Coca-Cola Company. Prior to that, Byrd served as Senior Account Officer with Citibank, N.A.
John E. Maupin Jr. joined the Regions Board of Directors in 2007 and is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Dr. Maupin is the former president of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. He serves as Chair of the Regions Community Development Corporation, Regions’ nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing technical assistance for affordable housing, small business and community development initiatives. In addition, Dr. Maupin serves on the boards of LifePoint Health, Inc.; the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Companies I and II, a mutual fund complex for American International Group, Inc., group retirement plans; and HealthSouth Corp. Dr. Maupin retired from the United States Army Dental Corps, Active Reserves in 1997 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
About Black Enterprise
Black Enterprise, your ultimate source to build Wealth for Life, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, Black Enterprise magazine provides 6 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BE also produces television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. Visit www.blackenterprise.com for more information.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $125 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,500 banking offices and 1,900 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.