The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) announced on October 8, 2024, that Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso, Jr. (Epsilon–Emory ’65), Banker, Attorney, and Civic Leader, along with Craig A. Menear, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Home Depot, will be inducted by the Georgia Historical Society and the Office of the Governor as the newest Georgia Trustees on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Trustees Gala. It is the highest honor the State of Georgia can confer.
“Sonny Deriso and Craig Menear are the living embodiment of the Georgia Trustees motto ‘Not for Self, but for Others,” said W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. “Their selfless leadership and record of service are an inspiration and an example for us all. Everyone and every organization they have touched is better and stronger as a result. They demonstrate what can be accomplished when leaders lead with humility, love, and integrity—and put the success and ambition of others ahead of their own.”
In conjunction with the Governor’s Office, the Georgia Historical Society reestablished the Georgia Trustees in 2008 as a way of recognizing Georgians whose accomplishments and community service reflect the highest ideals of the founding body of Trustees. The original Georgia Trustees were a governing body chartered and appointed by His Majesty King George II of England in 1732 to establish a new colony in North America. They founded Georgia upon the principle of Non Sibi, Sed Aliis, Not for Self, but for Others. The Governor annually appoints new Trustees whose history-making accomplishments and service reflect the original Trustees’ ideals. They are inducted at the Trustees Gala in Savannah. This elegant evening includes cocktails, dinner, and an inspiring conversation with the inductees.
Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso, Jr.
Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso, Jr., was the Founding Chairman and a Director of Atlantic Capital Bank and Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. Previously, Deriso served as Vice Chairman of Synovus Financial Corp. and as CEO, director, and board chairman of Security Bank & Trust Company of Albany.
Deriso began his professional career as an attorney and practiced law in Albany from 1972-1991. He served as President/CEO of Security Bank and Trust Company of Albany, a Synovus Bank, from 1991-1997, and as Vice-Chairman of Synovus from 1997-2005. He also served as Chairman of Atlantic Capital Bank and Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. in Atlanta from their founding in 2006 until their merger with SouthState Corporation in 2022.
Deriso has served as chairman of numerous boards, including Georgia Bankers Association, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, and the Georgia Historical Society. He has served as a Trustee of Emory University. From 2005 to 2012, he served as Chairman of the capital campaign for Emory University that successfully raised $1.697 billion, at that time the largest capital campaign in Georgia’s history. He and his wife, Judy, are currently co-chairing a capital campaign for Phoebe Putney Healthcare’s Phoebe Foundation.
He received the Marion Luther Brittain Service Award from Emory University in 1968, was listed in 2011 in Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 100 Most Influential Atlantans, was recognized in 2017 by Atlanta Business Chronicle as a Most-Admired CEO, and was listed in Georgia Trend’s 100 Most Influential Georgians in 2022.
Deriso graduated from Emory College with a BA in History and received his J.D. with Distinction from Emory University School of Law. In 1968 he joined the U.S. Army Reserve and served with the 449th Field Depot until 1974.
