SouthState Salutes our Military Veterans Team Members
11/11/2024
In honor of Veterans Day on November 11, 2024, SouthState is proud to salute our team members who are either currently serving their country or veterans of the United States Armed Forces. We are grateful for the men and women who serve our country and protect our cherished freedoms.
At SouthState, we have a Military and Veterans Network Group for our team members who were service members or have a family member or friend who served their country through military service. We are committed to bringing our team members together to share their experiences including the stories below.
Jeff Kane served in the U.S. Army for 21 years as an E8 Master Sergeant. During his years of service, he was responsible for providing leadership to fellow servicemen and women, tactical and technical guidance, planning, training, operations, and logistics to the military. He was stationed at various places including Fort Benning, GA, Fort Campbell, KY, Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Drum NY, Fort Stewart, GA and Hampton University in Virgina. Jeff was also deployed for 3 ½ years. His deployments included two tours in Iraq, one tour each to Saudia Arabia and Korea.
Jeff says he is grateful to have served his country through the U.S. Army as he learned leadership skills, how to understand people better and develop the ability to adapt to change very quickly, all skills that he continues to use today in his role at SouthState.
Kim Pombier served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years as E-4 Aviation Machinists Mate (AD). During her service, she was a member of the VX-4 squadron, which performed air test and evaluation of missiles and avionics before they were added to a military fleet.
As an aviation machinist mate, she maintained and worked to inspect, adjust, test, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines. This also included installing and servicing various engine types as well as the accessories, gear boxes, related fuel systems, and lubrication systems. Kim worked on the F-18 Hornet, where she earned the designation of Low Power Turn qualified, and the F-14 Tomcat.
As Kim reflects on her military service, she says it was a great opportunity to serve her country, and to follow in the footsteps of some of her family members.
Sgt. Bryan Hairell served in the U.S. Air Force for almost 13 years as a staff sergeant.
During his service, he was responsible for being technically, physically, mentally, and spiritually ready to accomplish a mission, anytime and anywhere. He was also responsible for making sure the soldiers who he supervised were developed and ready in the same manner.
While on active military service, he served four tours of duty in 2007, 2008-2009, 2011, and 2012. Through the years, Bryan was primarily stationed in Texas, South Korea, Alaska, Portugal, and Florida. He also managed to see multiple additional countries. Bryan was medically retired in 2016 due to injuries he sustained.
Bryan says that the Air Force showed him the true definition of teamwork and genuine leadership. He believes that in order to lead, you must follow first, which helps to establish credibility with the team. Additionally, no matter the rank a person achieves, they may have a different idea or solution which can make the team and mission more efficient and successful.
Samantha Jones currently serves as a sergeant in the Army National Guard 1051st Transportation Company which she joined 10 years ago.
During the first 7 years of her military career, she was an 88Mike (truck driver) where she spent most of her time on the road transporting military equipment and soldiers. When she wasn’t driving, she was inspecting vehicles to make sure they were in proper condition to perform hauling duties.
Currently, she’s the unit’s Dispatcher. Her main responsibilities include licensing soldiers, maintaining a record key log of different equipment in the unit’s yard and providing soldiers with information about orders and routes.
Although she has never been deployed, Samantha serves on stateside active-duty orders where she provides support to help communities to prepare and recover when they experience natural disasters such as hurricanes. Her active duty has taken her to Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, North Carolina and Louisiana so far.
Samatha joined the Army National Guard for its many benefits and the discipline it gave her to grow as an individual. She still values the opportunity she received to learn resilience, patience and being okay with the things you cannot change.
Stephen Roberts served in the U.S. Navy for 4.5 years. He was an E-5 Aviation Electronics Technician, Petty Officer 2nd Class.
His responsibilities included supervising the avionics shop shift, performing maintenance and repair on S-3B Viking Avionics systems, and flying back seat as an in-flight technician. Stephen served at the Naval Air Station located in Jacksonville, Florida. He was also deployed overseas to the Mediterranean as part of a naval aircraft carrier group and performed workups, which are advance preparation for oversea deployments, between military cruise deployments. During Stephen’s service, he would participate in a workup in Norfolk, VA, Puerto Rico, and Falon, Nevada leading up to deployment. These workups would last anywhere from 10 to 60 days during the year and a half prior to deploying to the Persian Gulf. If the workup was specific to aviation, his squadron would conduct low level flight training, equipment checks, and ordinance readiness.
As Stephen reflects on his military service, he was taught duty over self; to act as if you’re already the rank you seek; and to work as hard as you can, learn as much as you can, and respect everyone you come in contact with.
Julie Basham served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years. She was an Airman First Class (E-3).
As a diet therapy specialist, she was responsible for making sure that patients with special dietary needs received appropriate meals and counseled other airman in weight management and nutrition. She was stationed at the hospital on Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota.
According to Julie, her service was the experience of a lifetime. Originally from England, she moved to the United States as a child. She was inspired to enlist in the U.S. military as she felt like it was a way to say thank you for being given the opportunity to live in such a great country.
Will Irvin served in the U.S. Air Force for 6 years. His rank at separation was Staff Sergeant. During his active duty, he worked as an Air Mission Supervisor on an EC-130.
During his years of military service, he was stationed at the Key West, FL Naval Air Station. From his home base, he would travel all around the world for various deployments.
According to Will, the most important skill he learned while was serving our country was the importance of teamwork.
Sgt. Thaddeus Land served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 8 years.
Upon enlistment, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina serving as an Intelligence Analyst (2d Marine Division G-2 and 1st Battalion, 2d Marines) and Intelligence Chief 2d Combat Engineer Battalion. While stationed with 1st Battalion 2nd Marines he was deployed to seven Central and South American countries as part of UNITAS. UNITAS is the oldest and largest maritime/ground operations exercise in the region and our job was to work closely with host countries and perform joint exercises.
Next, he was stationed at Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as an Intelligence Analyst. Thaddeus was responsible for providing daily intelligence reports and served as a subject matter expert on Cuban military operations for multiple intelligence agencies.
His last assignment was at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii at the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) where he served as an Investigative Analyst. During this time, he was deployed to multiple countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific where he was responsible for interviewing wartime witnesses and local people with knowledge of United States Service member remains from previous wars. Once enough evidence was collected, the case would be assigned to a recovery team with an anthropologist to go back and dig the entire site in hopes of locating service members to be repatriated back to American soil. This role was the most gratifying and I was honored to part of such a great mission of bringing closure to families.
As Thaddeus reflects on his military service, he recalls the Marine Corp values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment that he still lives by today.
Scott Ellsworth served in the U.S. Air Force for 7 years and 8 months.
In 2014, his first assignment was as a Munitions Technician Journeyman at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC. He was responsible for the assembly, storage, and transport of various explosive assets, including 500-lb and 2,000-lb bombs.
In 2016, he was deployed to the Middle East where he was responsible for building, storing, and delivering munitions. Scott conducted approximately 4,500 safety presentations which resulted in a zero-incident safety record.
In 2017, he was stationed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan for 4 years where he served as a Munitions Technician Craftsman working on air-to-air combat aircraft in the Precision Guided Munitions (missiles) department. He also developed performance metrics to recognize top performers within a team of 25 junior technicians and maintained critical munitions and equipment. While still in Japan, Scott later achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5) and became a Special Access Programs Personnel Security Manager where he led security initiatives for highly sensitive programs before returning to civilian life in 2021.
According to Scott, one of the most critical lessons learned from the Air Force was the value of adaptability and resilience. He also discovered the invaluable foundation in discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence, all of which continue to guide his professional journey today.
At SouthState, we have a Military and Veterans Network Group for our team members who were service members or have a family member or friend who served their country through military service. We are committed to bringing our team members together to share their experiences including the stories below.
Jeff Kane, FVP, Corporate Learning Manager
Jeff Kane served in the U.S. Army for 21 years as an E8 Master Sergeant. During his years of service, he was responsible for providing leadership to fellow servicemen and women, tactical and technical guidance, planning, training, operations, and logistics to the military. He was stationed at various places including Fort Benning, GA, Fort Campbell, KY, Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Drum NY, Fort Stewart, GA and Hampton University in Virgina. Jeff was also deployed for 3 ½ years. His deployments included two tours in Iraq, one tour each to Saudia Arabia and Korea. Jeff says he is grateful to have served his country through the U.S. Army as he learned leadership skills, how to understand people better and develop the ability to adapt to change very quickly, all skills that he continues to use today in his role at SouthState.
Kim Pombier, Loan Assistant
Kim Pombier served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years as E-4 Aviation Machinists Mate (AD). During her service, she was a member of the VX-4 squadron, which performed air test and evaluation of missiles and avionics before they were added to a military fleet. As an aviation machinist mate, she maintained and worked to inspect, adjust, test, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines. This also included installing and servicing various engine types as well as the accessories, gear boxes, related fuel systems, and lubrication systems. Kim worked on the F-18 Hornet, where she earned the designation of Low Power Turn qualified, and the F-14 Tomcat.
As Kim reflects on her military service, she says it was a great opportunity to serve her country, and to follow in the footsteps of some of her family members.
Sgt. Bryan Hairell, Melbourne Branch FSR II
Sgt. Bryan Hairell served in the U.S. Air Force for almost 13 years as a staff sergeant. During his service, he was responsible for being technically, physically, mentally, and spiritually ready to accomplish a mission, anytime and anywhere. He was also responsible for making sure the soldiers who he supervised were developed and ready in the same manner.
While on active military service, he served four tours of duty in 2007, 2008-2009, 2011, and 2012. Through the years, Bryan was primarily stationed in Texas, South Korea, Alaska, Portugal, and Florida. He also managed to see multiple additional countries. Bryan was medically retired in 2016 due to injuries he sustained.
Bryan says that the Air Force showed him the true definition of teamwork and genuine leadership. He believes that in order to lead, you must follow first, which helps to establish credibility with the team. Additionally, no matter the rank a person achieves, they may have a different idea or solution which can make the team and mission more efficient and successful.
Samantha Jones, Deposit Operations Reconciliation Specialist II
Samantha Jones currently serves as a sergeant in the Army National Guard 1051st Transportation Company which she joined 10 years ago. During the first 7 years of her military career, she was an 88Mike (truck driver) where she spent most of her time on the road transporting military equipment and soldiers. When she wasn’t driving, she was inspecting vehicles to make sure they were in proper condition to perform hauling duties.
Currently, she’s the unit’s Dispatcher. Her main responsibilities include licensing soldiers, maintaining a record key log of different equipment in the unit’s yard and providing soldiers with information about orders and routes.
Although she has never been deployed, Samantha serves on stateside active-duty orders where she provides support to help communities to prepare and recover when they experience natural disasters such as hurricanes. Her active duty has taken her to Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, North Carolina and Louisiana so far.
Samatha joined the Army National Guard for its many benefits and the discipline it gave her to grow as an individual. She still values the opportunity she received to learn resilience, patience and being okay with the things you cannot change.
Stephen Roberts, VP, Commercial Relationship Manager II
Stephen Roberts served in the U.S. Navy for 4.5 years. He was an E-5 Aviation Electronics Technician, Petty Officer 2nd Class.His responsibilities included supervising the avionics shop shift, performing maintenance and repair on S-3B Viking Avionics systems, and flying back seat as an in-flight technician. Stephen served at the Naval Air Station located in Jacksonville, Florida. He was also deployed overseas to the Mediterranean as part of a naval aircraft carrier group and performed workups, which are advance preparation for oversea deployments, between military cruise deployments. During Stephen’s service, he would participate in a workup in Norfolk, VA, Puerto Rico, and Falon, Nevada leading up to deployment. These workups would last anywhere from 10 to 60 days during the year and a half prior to deploying to the Persian Gulf. If the workup was specific to aviation, his squadron would conduct low level flight training, equipment checks, and ordinance readiness.
As Stephen reflects on his military service, he was taught duty over self; to act as if you’re already the rank you seek; and to work as hard as you can, learn as much as you can, and respect everyone you come in contact with.
Julie Basham, AVP, Loan Assistant in Commercial Banking
Julie Basham served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years. She was an Airman First Class (E-3).As a diet therapy specialist, she was responsible for making sure that patients with special dietary needs received appropriate meals and counseled other airman in weight management and nutrition. She was stationed at the hospital on Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota.
According to Julie, her service was the experience of a lifetime. Originally from England, she moved to the United States as a child. She was inspired to enlist in the U.S. military as she felt like it was a way to say thank you for being given the opportunity to live in such a great country.
Will Irvin, VP, Richmond Staples Mill Branch Manager II
Will Irvin served in the U.S. Air Force for 6 years. His rank at separation was Staff Sergeant. During his active duty, he worked as an Air Mission Supervisor on an EC-130.During his years of military service, he was stationed at the Key West, FL Naval Air Station. From his home base, he would travel all around the world for various deployments.
According to Will, the most important skill he learned while was serving our country was the importance of teamwork.
Sgt. Thaddeus Land, Bank Officer, Information Security Cybersecurity Team Lead
Sgt. Thaddeus Land served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 8 years.Upon enlistment, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina serving as an Intelligence Analyst (2d Marine Division G-2 and 1st Battalion, 2d Marines) and Intelligence Chief 2d Combat Engineer Battalion. While stationed with 1st Battalion 2nd Marines he was deployed to seven Central and South American countries as part of UNITAS. UNITAS is the oldest and largest maritime/ground operations exercise in the region and our job was to work closely with host countries and perform joint exercises.
Next, he was stationed at Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as an Intelligence Analyst. Thaddeus was responsible for providing daily intelligence reports and served as a subject matter expert on Cuban military operations for multiple intelligence agencies.
His last assignment was at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii at the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) where he served as an Investigative Analyst. During this time, he was deployed to multiple countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific where he was responsible for interviewing wartime witnesses and local people with knowledge of United States Service member remains from previous wars. Once enough evidence was collected, the case would be assigned to a recovery team with an anthropologist to go back and dig the entire site in hopes of locating service members to be repatriated back to American soil. This role was the most gratifying and I was honored to part of such a great mission of bringing closure to families.
As Thaddeus reflects on his military service, he recalls the Marine Corp values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment that he still lives by today.
Scott Ellsworth, VP, Prepaid Card Operations Manager
Scott Ellsworth served in the U.S. Air Force for 7 years and 8 months. In 2014, his first assignment was as a Munitions Technician Journeyman at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC. He was responsible for the assembly, storage, and transport of various explosive assets, including 500-lb and 2,000-lb bombs.
In 2016, he was deployed to the Middle East where he was responsible for building, storing, and delivering munitions. Scott conducted approximately 4,500 safety presentations which resulted in a zero-incident safety record.
In 2017, he was stationed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan for 4 years where he served as a Munitions Technician Craftsman working on air-to-air combat aircraft in the Precision Guided Munitions (missiles) department. He also developed performance metrics to recognize top performers within a team of 25 junior technicians and maintained critical munitions and equipment. While still in Japan, Scott later achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5) and became a Special Access Programs Personnel Security Manager where he led security initiatives for highly sensitive programs before returning to civilian life in 2021.
According to Scott, one of the most critical lessons learned from the Air Force was the value of adaptability and resilience. He also discovered the invaluable foundation in discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence, all of which continue to guide his professional journey today.
