 Mr. Rafael DeLeon
NContracts
Before joining Ncontracts, Mr. DeLeon completed a successful career spanning three decades with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), having most recently served as the Director for Banking Relations in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), as well as an OCC National Bank Examiner, trainer and industry analyst who was sought after to speak at industry events nationwide.
Mr. DeLeon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business education from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.
| Mr. Rafael DeLeon
NContracts | Rafael E. DeLeon is a vibrant spokesperson with a wealth of knowledge on risk management, governance, and regulatory compliance for financial institutions. In addition to handling educational initiatives, thought leadership, and outreach to regulators, industry leaders, and association partners for Ncontracts, Mr. DeLeon is on the Board of Directors of MainStreet Bancshares, Inc., parent company of MainStreet Bank in Fairfax, Virginia.
Before joining Ncontracts, Mr. DeLeon completed a successful career spanning three decades with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), having most recently served as the Director for Banking Relations in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), as well as an OCC National Bank Examiner, trainer and industry analyst who was sought after to speak at industry events nationwide.
Mr. DeLeon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business education from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas.
| DELEON, RAFAEL |
 Christopher Leonard
Velocity Solutions, LLC
Prior to joining the company in 2005, Christopher was a partner in one of North Carolina’s top law firms, where he worked with private and publicly-held businesses in transactional, compliance and advisory capacities. He also served as counsel to Velocity Solutions advising on legal and regulatory issues affecting the financial industry. He still stays up to date on these issues, which allows him to serve as a key resource for our clients. While in law practice, Christopher received the New Hanover County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award and was included in Super Lawyers.
Christopher received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Wake Forest University, where he was a recipient of the Wake Forest Honor Scholarship. He has served in leadership roles in many nonprofit organizations, including as president of the Community Boys & Girls Club of Wilmington, NC as well as chairman of its foundation, a founding director of the St. James Parish Foundation, on the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity and on the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Currently, Christopher serves on the Board of Directors of Broward Workshop, a non-profit organization consisting of the chief decision makers of major businesses in one of America’s 20 largest counties, and as a chair of its Technology Committee. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the South Florida Tech Hub. Christopher received the Apogee Award in 2019 for Top Technology CEO in South Florida, and the South Florida Business Journal named Velocity Solutions in 2020 as one of the top 10 fastest-growing technology companies in South Florida.
| Christopher Leonard
Velocity Solutions, LLC | Christopher Leonard serves as Chief Executive Officer of Velocity Solutions. Before becoming CEO, Christopher served as President of the company from 2012 to 2014, and previously as Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel from 2005 to 2011.
Prior to joining the company in 2005, Christopher was a partner in one of North Carolina’s top law firms, where he worked with private and publicly-held businesses in transactional, compliance and advisory capacities. He also served as counsel to Velocity Solutions advising on legal and regulatory issues affecting the financial industry. He still stays up to date on these issues, which allows him to serve as a key resource for our clients. While in law practice, Christopher received the New Hanover County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award and was included in Super Lawyers.
Christopher received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Wake Forest University, where he was a recipient of the Wake Forest Honor Scholarship. He has served in leadership roles in many nonprofit organizations, including as president of the Community Boys & Girls Club of Wilmington, NC as well as chairman of its foundation, a founding director of the St. James Parish Foundation, on the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity and on the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Currently, Christopher serves on the Board of Directors of Broward Workshop, a non-profit organization consisting of the chief decision makers of major businesses in one of America’s 20 largest counties, and as a chair of its Technology Committee. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the South Florida Tech Hub. Christopher received the Apogee Award in 2019 for Top Technology CEO in South Florida, and the South Florida Business Journal named Velocity Solutions in 2020 as one of the top 10 fastest-growing technology companies in South Florida.
| LEONARD, CHRISTOPHER |
 Mr. John T. McGarvey, Esq.
Morgan Pottinger McGarvey | Mr. John T. McGarvey, Esq.
Morgan Pottinger McGarvey | John T. McGarvey’s practice concentrates on secured transactions, municipal law, the representation of banks and other lenders in litigation, and matters under the Uniform Commercial Code. His legal accomplishments have been recognized by his election to the American Law Institute and inclusion in lists such as Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Top Lawyers and Preeminent Attorneys. John is a member of numerous legal organizations, including multiple Uniform Commercial Code task forces and advisory committees. He has held a position on the UCC’s Permanent Editorial Board since 2015. John is an adjunct secured transactions professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law, and has taught hundreds of seminars on legal issues involving financial institutions and credit extenders. He was named Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” for Banking and Finance Law in Louisville in 2015. John is a shareholder, chairperson of the firm’s Executive Committee and a member of the Marketing Committee. | MCGARVEY, JOHN |
 Mr. Timothy A. Schenk
Kentucky Bankers Association | Mr. Timothy A. Schenk
Kentucky Bankers Association | Timothy Schenk is Assistant General Counsel at the KBA where he works in the legal department with Debra Stamper. Timothy has broad experience representing and working with community and regional area banks in the areas of compliance, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, trusts and estates, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, employment law and lender liability litigation. Tim is admitted to practice in Kentucky and Tennessee and is undefeated as first chair in jury trials. Prior to joining the KBA, Tim was a partner at the law firms of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs and Morgan Pottinger McGarvey and Senior Vice President of Litigation at Limestone Bank. | SCHENK, TIMOTHY |
 Mr. M. Thurman Senn, Esq.
Morgan Pottinger McGarvey | Mr. M. Thurman Senn, Esq.
Morgan Pottinger McGarvey | M. Thurman Senn’s practice concentrates on banking and finance law, bankruptcy, foreclosure, commercial litigation, motor vehicle sales and financing, and arbitration. As a former vice president and general counsel for a consumer mortgage lender, he also provides corporate counsel services for businesses. Thurman brings a unique level of experience and creativity to solving his clients’ legal issues, with the ability to combine sophisticated legal doctrines and arguments with an understanding of the practical constraints and goals of a client. He is also recognized in the legal community, by both lawyers and judges, and this provides access and credibility when interacting with third parties whose involvement in a legal matter potentially affects his clients. Thurman is of counsel in MPM’s Louisville office. | SENN, M. |
 R Joseph Stennis
Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP | R Joseph Stennis
Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP | R. Joseph (“Joe”) Stennis, Jr. is a member of Wyatt’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Service Team. Joe’s primary practice area is employment law, where he defends employers against discrimination claims filed by current or former employees with either an agency (i.e. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, etc.) and/or actions filed in state/federal court. Joe has successfully defended his clients on multiple occasions against various employment claims which include (but are not limited to): wrongful termination; wage & hour (state and federal); employment based torts; ADA discrimination; ADEA discrimination; ERISA litigation; claims of discrimination pursuant to Title VII; and claims of discrimination pursuant to the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. Joe has also been very successful in drafting and enforcing employee executed arbitration agreements in state and federal court actions that led to securing reasonable settlements in many, if not all, instances.
Whether it be aggressively negotiating a reasonable settlement during a mediation, or obtaining a successful judgment in court, Joe’s focus is always what is in the best interest of his clients to resolve an employment dispute as efficiently and effectively as possible. He finds it very helpful and beneficial to treat each case with the upmost importance and urgency. Additionally, Joe also has spoken on various employment topics and written several articles. For example, he has presented on: how to address sexual harassment in the workplace; unconscious bias; the importance of engaging early on with the interactive process for an employee who has (or alleges to have) a disability; and EEOC updates and guidance to name a few.
In addition to his employment law practice, Joe frequently represents healthcare facilities in defending against medical malpractice claims. He also handles construction litigation matters. Lastly, Joe frequently defends companies and organizations against premises liability claims. | STENNIS, R |