Garrett Richter serves as Market President for First Foundation Inc. In his role, Mr. Richter brings over 50 years of banking experience to lead the company’s Florida market areas for First Foundation Bank. Prior to joining First Foundation, Mr. Richter served as the founder, President, CEO and a director of First Florida Integrity Bank and the President and a director of TGR Financial, Inc., the bank’s holding company.
Mr. Richter’s banking career began at Mellon Bank in February 1969, but his employment was interrupted when he entered the Army in November 1969. He was awarded a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry while serving in Vietnam with the 75th Ranger Company from 1970-71.
Mr. Richter was elected to the Florida Legislature in 2006. He served one term in the Florida House of Representatives, followed by two terms in the Florida Senate, where he was the President Pro Tempore from 2012 to 2016. During his tenure in the Florida Senate, he chaired the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, the Senate Gaming Committee and the Ethics and Elections Committee. Garrett served as the chairman of the Florida Defense Support Task force from 2015-2016, working to protect and enhance Florida’s military missions and installations.
Mr. Richter is the past chairman of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and is an alumni and past Board of Regents member of Leadership Florida and past chairman of Leadership Collier. He served as of director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta from 2019 – 2021. Garrett previously served on the Florida Ethics Commission.
Mr. Richter is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin.