UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of
report (Date of earliest event reported):
April
10, 2008 (April 6, 2008)
Commission
File Number: 001-13901
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AMERIS
BANCORP
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(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
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GEORGIA
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58-1456434
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(State
of incorporation)
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(IRS
Employer ID No.)
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24
SECOND AVE., SE MOULTRIE, GA 31768
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(229)
890-1111
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(Registrant’s
telephone number)
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Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions (see General
Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
[ ] Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
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Item
5.02.
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Departure of Directors
or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain
Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain
Officers.
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(b) Eugene M. Vereen, Jr., a
director of Ameris Bancorp (the “Company”) since 1981, died on April 6, 2008, at
Woodlands Living Center in Moultrie, Georgia, at the age of 87. His
business ventures were many, including the establishment of Ameris Bank, a $2
billion financial institution with 650 employees in four southeastern
states. Mr. Vereen served with distinction in several roles at the
Company, including that of Chairman of the Board from 1981 to 1995 and Chief
Executive Officer from 1981 to 1994. Mr. Vereen had also served as a
director of Ameris Bank since 1971 and as Chairman of the Board Emeritus of the
Company and as President Emeritus of Ameris Bank until his death. Mr.
Vereen was very active locally in the First Presbyterian Church, Moultrie
Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Rotary and YMCA. His benevolence in
personal and business dealings influenced many in surrounding communities as
well.
"Our
Company and our Community is saddened with the loss Mr. Gene, a dear friend to
many people and a widely respected businessman. Mr. Gene’s passion
for Ameris Bank was rooted in the founding of our Company in 1971 when he, along
with others, set out to create a ‘bank of the people’. His
entrepreneurial spirit set the foundation for our community-based banking style
and his core values helped guide our efforts as we succeeded over the
years. He leaves behind a legacy that we are honored to uphold,"
stated Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and CEO of Ameris Bancorp and Ameris
Bank.
Mr.
Vereen was a 1941 graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina where he was a
member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduation, he was
employed at Courts & Company, an investment banking and stock brokerage firm
in Atlanta. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy where he earned the rank
of lieutenant commander, serving two years as the executive officer on the USS
Shoshone. Mr. Vereen served as Chairman of the Board of Moultrie
Insurance Agency from 1951 until its sale in 1983 and was Chairman and director
of M.I.A., Co., an investment company.
The Board
of Directors of the Company has made no decision as to when the resulting
vacancy on the Board will be filled.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this
Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
AMERIS BANCORP
By:
Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Dated: April
10, 2008
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