Michael Pearson retired as President, CEO, Chief Lending Officer and Board Director of Unity National Bank N.A. with locations in Houston, TX and Atlanta, GA. Previously he served as a senior vice president and the lead Not-for-Profit real estate lender at Amegy Bank. In his leadership role in the not-for-profit lending group, he was responsible for leading a team that provided financial products, services and trusted advice to public and private tax-exempt, not-for-profit clients and prospects. Prior to joining Amegy, Michael served as a credit risk officer in the Portfolio Management Group focusing on the global oil & gas division at JPMorgan Chase. He has also worked for three regional banks as a relationship manager focusing on the healthcare, corporate, real estate, and energy oil & gas industries and as a Credit Officer focusing on Portfolio and Credit management. Michael has 45 years of finance and banking experience. Among his diverse credentials, he holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and holds a license to sell Insurance in the state of Texas. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Fisk University and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. An active member of the community, Michael served on the Chinese Community Center (CCC) Board of Directors, and the CCC Executive Committee. Michael is a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum (ALF) and serves on its Board Finance Committee. He is the Board Treasurer for the Transportation Advocacy Group (TAG), a Trustee and Finance Chairman for the Battleship Texas Foundation and is a Business Advisory Council member of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University (TSU). He is an Executive Guest Lecturer and teaches the Risk Management Association (RMA) Credit Essentials Course in the recently established Banking Certificate Program at the TSU Business School. Michael is a member of the Advisory Board of the Houston Center for Photography. He also previously has served from time to time as a Grant Review Panel Member for the Houston Art Alliance. In the past, he served on the local and state boards of the Risk Management Association (RMA) and the RMA National Leaders Conference and National Membership Committees. Michael also previously served as Vice Chairman and Treasurer for the Houston Area Urban League Board of Directors. Michael is very active in the cultural arts, performing arts, academic and social service communities in Houston.