Creating an atypical bank takes an atypical leadership team. We hope to meet you soon.
Dan DellingerPresident & CEO
Wendell BontragerChief Lending Officer
Dave KowalskiChief Financial Officer
Diane FinchemChief People Officer
Brian Shaw
Rhonda DaySebree Market President
CEO, Sonata Bank and President & CEO, Sonata Financial Holdings
A Nashville veteran banker with three decades of experience, Dan Dellinger serves as Sonata Bank President and Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to Sonata, Dellinger was instrumental in the formation of Premier Bank of Brentwood (now BancorpSouth) and the 2005 formation of Reliant Bank (now United Community Bank), helping to lead the bank through its emerging growth years to becoming one of largest community banks in Tennessee. During his 15-year tenure at Reliant, Dellinger served as chief financial officer and on the board of directors prior to the bank going public in 2015. As CFO, he led Reliant's financial management strategies, merger and acquisition initiatives and investor relations.
Dellinger's community and banking industry involvement includes being an active supporter of the Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America and serving as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has served in leadership roles with Tennessee Bankers Association and as an instructor with The Southeastern School of Banking.
President & Chief Lending Officer
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Dave Kowalski is responsible for Sonata’s financial reporting process, accounting policy, interest rate and liquidity risk management, investment portfolio management and tax planning.
Kowalski’s nearly three decades of banking experience includes his most recent position as Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at Reliant Bancorp and Reliant Bank (now United Community Bank). Prior roles include serving as Director of Financial Operations at Franklin Synergy Bank and Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at Avenue Bank.
Prior to moving to Middle Tennessee in 2014, Kowalski served in a variety of executive roles with community banks in Ohio.
Chief People Officer
Diane Finchem is an experienced operations professional with a demonstrated history and passion for people, processes and productivity. Before joining Sonata Bank, Finchem served as vice president, mortgage operations at Wilson Bank & Trust.
Prior to that role, she spent 13 years at Reliant Bank (now United Community Bank) where she initially served for nine years as mortgage operation manager before serving four years as director of learning and development. Within that capacity, Finchem led the integration of acquisitions, developed banking processes and rationale, and developed critical training programs and curricula.
She is a certified Integrity Solutions trainer and member of Tennessee Banking Association and Middle Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management. Finchem is also an active supporter of Best Buddies of Williamson County and the Middle Tennessee YMCA.
Commercial Banking Manager
Brian Shaw is a native Nashvillian with 24 years of mortgage, commercial and retail banking experience. Throughout his career, he has helped build the retail, mortgage and branch offices for Reliant Bank (now United Community Bank) and AmSouth Bank (now Regions).
Shaw brings his expertise and deep relationships to Sonata Bank as he serves the commercial banking needs of customers throughout Middle Tennessee. Prior to joining Sonata, he served as senior vice president, commercial banking for Fourth Capital.
Shaw’s community involvement includes serving in a leadership role for Luke 9:2 Ministries and on the football coaching staff at Father Ryan in Nashville. He also served in leadership roles with Williamson Inc., YMCA Brentwood, Nashville Chamber and United Way, and earned the Nashville Emerging Leaders Award in Financial Services.
Sebree, Kentucky Market President
Rhonda Day is a native of Henderson, Kentucky and has 44 years of banking experience.
Day carries a surplus of banking experience, from roles such like being a teller to even being a president. All aspects of this journey has not only allowed her to build knowledge and further her career, but most importantly, connect with and serve wonderful people.
Her community involvement includes being an active member of the Sebree Chamber of Commerce and a summer bible school volunteer.