Walter M. Deriso, Jr.

After graduating from Emory College and Emory University Law School, Sonny practiced law in Albany, Georgia, from 1972 to 1991, when he left his practice to become President and CEO of Security Bank. Currently, Sony is Chairman and a Director of Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc., and Atlantic Capital Bank, a position he has held since their founding in October of 2006.

An avid Rotarian, Sonny has served on boards of numerous organizations, as chairman for many. From 2005 to 2012, he served as Chairman of the campaign that successfully raised $1.679 billion for Emory University from nearly 150,000 donors, the largest capital campaign in Georgia’s history.

As an undergraduate, Sonny served as rush chair and President of the Student Government Association, and was named a KA Luminary.  A member of the Loyal Order and of the KAOEF’s Crimson & Gold Society for five years, Sonny was inducted into the John L. Hardeman Province Court of Honor in 2019.

Sonny and his wife, Judy, reside in Albany, Georgia, and have three sons, Walter III, Charlie, and Richard, along with ten grandchildren.