United Bankshares has appointed Albert “Sonny” Small Jr. to its board of directors. For the $19.2B regional financial services company, this appointment will not only add a nationally recognized developer to the leadership team, but will strengthen local ties to the Greater Washington area.

Small is the founder and president of Renaissance Centro, a real estate development firm based in Bethesda, Maryland. Small is also the founder of Renaissance Housing Corp., a Washington-based former luxury homebuilder and high-rise tower developer, which was acquired in 2005. When he officially joins United’s board of directors Nov. 16, Small will bring decades of experience in residential, commercial and hotel development in and around Washington.

"As an exceedingly successful and nationally recognized third-generation Washington, D.C. developer, Sonny is a highly respected and well-known business and community member of the Greater Washington area,” United Bankshares Chairman and CEO Richard M. Adams said. “United prides itself in its local leadership and local decision making."

United Bank is the largest community bank headquartered in the Washington metropolitan region, and this appointment comes as United strengthens its local presence. United purchased Bank of Georgetown for $269M in 2016. In 2017, United purchased Cardinal Financial Corp. and its subsidiary, George Mason Mortgage LLC, for $912M, becoming the owner of the largest locally headquartered mortgage lender in the Washington area.

While Small has been active in Washington, his sphere of influence extends far beyond the nation’s capital. He has been a board member of Tulane University, his alma mater, since 2014, and he currently serves as director of Griffin Land & Nurseries, an industrial realty provider. He is also a recognized philanthropist and an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Urban Land Institute. Small and his wife, Tina, are recipients of the Benjamin Ourisman Memorial Award for Civic Achievement.

"Small is an exceptional addition to our board as we continue our mission of excellence in service to our shareholders, our employees, our customers and our communities, Adams said.

This feature was produced in collaboration between Bisnow Branded Content and United Bank. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.