Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. announced that Dennis J. Zember Jr. has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern National and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sonabank, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Southern National and Sonabank, effective February 19, 2020. Mr. Zember has more than 23 years of financial experience in the banking industry. He most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameris Bancorp ("Ameris") in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. Zember was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ameris from June 2016 through June 2018 and Chief Financial Officer of Ameris from February 2005 through December 2017. On February 20, 2020, the Company announced that Joe A. Shearin would be retiring as CEO of the Company and Sonabank, effective February 19, 2020 and resigning as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and Sonabank, effective February 19, 2020. Mr. Shearin will be available for consulting services through March 31, 2020.