Tampa, Fla. – Rita Lowman, President of Pilot Bank, was selected as the recipient of the 2021 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award, presented by the Tampa Bay Chamber.
Rita is a 40+ year banker who has blazed trails for the industry throughout her career. Her career highlights include managing 22 acquisitions including the NationsBank/Barnett acquisition in 1997 where she was awarded the Crystal Grenade. Rita served NationsBank/Bank of America as the State Administration Executive. She also played an integral part as COO of C1 Bank as the company went public in 2014 and selling to Bank of the Ozarks in 2015.
Elected Chair of the 2017/2018 Florida Bankers Association, Rita was the third woman in 130 years to serve in this position. She serves on several other boards including 2020/21 Chair of the Outback Bowl Board, Past Chair of the Board of Governors for the Centre Club in Tampa and Board of Directors of the Florida School of Banking at UF, Southeastern US Cabinet of American Cancer Society, Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Chamber and the Florida Aquarium. Rita has been named the 2021 Chair of Go Red for the American Heart Association and to the Dean’s Advisory Board for USFSP. Rita is a proud member of USFWLP. She serves on the American Bankers Board of Directors, Vice Chair of ABA’s Government Relations Council and Community Council Board. Rita is passionate about the community and in her role, as Chair of Cattle Barons’ Ball and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, she and her team raised over $4 million for the American Cancer Society.
The Woman of Influence Award recognizes a woman whose leadership has made a positive impact in Hillsborough County. It pays tribute to an individual who exemplifies outstanding professional values; demonstrates the ability to go above and beyond the normal expectations of a leader; and serves as an inspiration to the community. Rita Lowman received recognition during the Chamber’s 15th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon featuring Judge Glenda Hatchett, attorney, author, business owner and host over the two-time Emmy nominated nationally syndicated show, Judge Hatchett, now in its 18th season.