Our Team
Lenny F. Springs
President and Chief Executive Officer
For over 27 years, Mr. Springs held numerous positions in the banking industry with First Union/Wachovia (now Wells Fargo Bank), until his retirement in 2007 as Senior Vice President in the Finance Division. President and CEO of The S Group Consultants, Inc: An organizational development and strategic management consulting firm which specialized in developing and implementing Business Management practices and Business Development processes, to include Diversity Strategies and Initiatives.
In November 2009, Mr. Springs was appointed as Senior Advisor for the Department of Education FSA, for Minority Serving and Under-Resourced Schools Division. Mr. Springs accountability includes working with the Department of Education, to provide support to Minority Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBI). In addition, Mr. Springs works with all of the White House Initiatives for higher education for the development of strategies to enhance President Obama’s 2020 Post-Secondary Education Goals. In addition, he served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Business Development for Urban Settlement Services and President of Queen City Ventures Partners, LLC, Charlotte, NC.
Mr. Springs formally served on the Board of Directors for M&F Bank. In this role, he served as the Chairman of Corporate Marketing Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. He has formerly served: On the NAACP National Broad of Directors; NAACP Special Contribution Fund Board of Trustees. He is the founding President of the Greater Charlotte Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America Inc., and was past Chairman of Development for the National 100 Black Men of America, Inc. In addition, Mr. Springs has served on a number of Board of Trustees of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to include Allen University, Elizabeth City State University, Florida Memorial College, Johnson C Smith University Foundation Board of Directors, South Carolina State University Foundation Board of Directors, and Board of Trustees of Voorhees College, which he served as Vice Chairman.
Mr. Springs specializes in promoting public awareness and instituting progressive initiatives for Minority Serving Institutions to include management consultation and the development of administrative strategies. He has been recognized as one of America’s top corporate officers in Dollars and Sense magazine; and has been recognized in numerous publications, organizations, and the community for his accomplishments. During President Clinton’s administration, Mr. Springs was appointed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Bank Secrecy Advisory Group (BSA). Mr. Springs has authored many articles in local, regional, and national publications.
Mr. Springs earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Voorhees College and has a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa from Voorhees College.
Elyse Simone Bailey
Chief Operating Office
Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Elyse Bailey is a graduate of Mallard Creek High School and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications. Ms. Bailey was on the dean’s list for several years, a member of the Golden Key national honors Society and a member of the Speech Pathology honors club. Ms. Bailey was a member of Golden Delight Auxiliary for the Blue and Gold Marching Machine. Ms. Bailey is also a graduate of Clemson University with a Master of Science degree in Athletic Leadership.
Upon graduation, Ms. Bailey auditioned and was selected for the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders and was a member of the squad for 4 years, including being a cheerleader for the 2017 NFC Championship playoffs and Super Bowl LI in Houston Texas. As a member of the squad, Ms. Bailey participated in numerous charitable activities in the community.
Ms. Bailey is the founder of Elyse Simone Consulting and Choreography, a highly successful consulting company that provides training for students and women who strive to become a professional dancers or cheerleaders.