Executive Management

Dominik Mjartan is the new CEO of American Bancorp and its subsidiary, American Pride Bank. He also serves as Vice Chairman of Optus Bank and Optus Financial Corporation. Previously, he was President and CEO of Optus from 2017 until August 2024, leading the bank’s transformation from a troubled institution into a high-performing, digital, mission-driven bank. During his tenure, Optus' total assets grew over 1,100%, from $47 million to over $600 million, and the loan portfolio expanded from $27 million to $400 million. Shareholders saw a 240% increase in equity.

Dominik is a founding director of Climate First Bank, serves on the boards of the Community Development Bankers Association and National Bankers Association, and has been featured in NPR’s Marketplace and the Wall Street Journal. He was recently named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in the Southeast U.S. Prior to Optus, he was an executive at Southern Bancorp, where he served as Executive VP and CEO of its affiliated lending company.

Dominik immigrated to the U.S. from Czechoslovakia at 16 and holds a B.S. in management from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from the University of Ulster. He and his wife, Georgia, have three children.

Mr. Flowers joined the organizing Directors in mid-2007 as an organizing executive officer.  The Glynn County native graduated from Frederica Academy on St. Simons Island in 1984 and from Presbyterian College in 1988 with a double major in Business Administration and Psychology.  In 1994 he graduated from the GBA’s Georgia Banking School, where he returned as the Intermediate Class Advisor for several years.  Flowers has experience in all facets of banking but specializes in commercial lending and retail banking administration.  He is a Cohen-Brown certified instructor for Extraordinary Sales Leadership, Proactive Relationship Banking, and Breakthrough B2B Banking.  He started his banking career while in high school and 2024 marks his fortieth year in banking having served the Middle Georgia region at Synovus, Bank South, Bank of America, SunTrust, and Robins Financial Credit Union.  

During his career, Mr. Flowers has been actively involved in the community and has served on the board or in leadership capacities of numerous civic and charitable organizations.  He has two grown daughters and has recently learned the joys of grandparenthood with the addition of a granddaughter to the family.    In his spare time, he enjoys the beach, travel, movies, music, and cooking. 

In August of 2021, Ms. Bell joined American Pride Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  Ms. Bell oversees financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, regulatory reporting, investment management, information technology, deposit operations, and asset/liability management for American Pride Bank.  Prior to joining American Pride Bank, Ms. Bell most recently worked as Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for SouthCrest Financial Group, Inc. and SouthCrest Bank, N.A., Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to being responsible for accounting, financial and regulatory reporting, she was responsible for managing deposit operations, compliance (including BSA), information security and audit.  Prior to SouthCrest Bank, Bell was a partner with Mauldin & Jenkins, CPA firm in Atlanta, Georgia.  While in public accounting, Ms. Bell’s focus was primarily on providing audit, tax, internal audit and consulting services to non-public as well as SEC registered financial institutions. Bell is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and is a certified public accountant.  In her spare time, Becky enjoys spending time with her family, hiking/walking, travel, and watching sports. 

Terry graduated from the University of West Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She began her career in the financial services industry in 1996 with Wells Fargo Financial, where she held various roles, including Branch Manager and District Sales Relationship Manager. Terry also worked as a Mortgage Consultant with Goldstar Mortgage before entering the banking world in 2006 with RBC Bank.

Erik Bykat joined American Pride Bank in 2022 as the Market Executive for the Bank’s expansion into the Northern Metro Atlanta market and has since been promoted to Chief Lending Officer. After graduating from UGA, he began his lending career in 1997, initially focusing on the consumer/mortgage side and then switching to community commercial banking in 2001. He has been in commercial lending since then, working with local, privately held business owners primarily within the Atlanta market. Most recently, he was the Senior Lending Officer at a community bank in Atlanta responsible for its lending department. He is experienced in all facets of commercial lending and enjoys helping business owners achieve their goals.

Erik graduated from UGA in 1997 and the earned his MBA from Georgia State University in 2002. He also graduated from the ABA Banking School and has received the NAGGL certification.

Jessica Bluj is a customer-centered mortgage executive who has passionately dedicated her career to building world-class teams in the mortgage industry. Always prioritizing service, accuracy, and compliance, Jessica combines deep regulatory knowledge, long-range strategy, and warm, effective people management skills.

Her extensive career has included working directly with state and federal regulators such as the Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Reserve Bank. Jessica has managed all aspects of Mortgage Banking and has extensive CDFI Mortgage Banking experience. Recently helped establish a national Community Development Loan program to foster homeownership and investment in underserved communities and diverse, underbanked individuals and families.

Her ability to foster relationships with critical management teams and experienced mortgage personnel has enabled her to scale teams quickly while maintaining exceptional service levels and quality standards.

Jessica is eager to bring this wealth of experience to American Pride Bank, where she will establish and lead the Mortgage Division as its President.

LaQuanda Billingslea