---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001206774-24-000549"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SFST"
cik: "0001090009"
company_name: "SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC"
filed_at: "2024-05-07T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-02T15:58:49.862009+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Chris Zych appointed CFO of Southern First Bank; exec comp amended

## Summary
- Chris Zych, 53, named EVP & CFO of Southern First Bank; 30 yrs banking experience, previously at United Community Bank.
- Employment agreement: $310,000 annual salary, term through Jan 31, 2026, with severance provisions.
- Amendments to agreements for President Calvin Hurst and CRO William Aiken revising severance terms for change in control.
- Severance: monthly payments equal to one-sixth of base salary for 12 months upon qualifying termination.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001206774-24-000549
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SFST
- cik: 0001090009
- company_name: SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC
- filed_at: 2024-05-07T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677424000549/0001206774-24-000549-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677424000549/sfst4332511_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001206774-24-000549
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001206774-24-000549.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001206774-24-000549.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Christian Zych was named as Chief Financial Officer at SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC.
  - Action: named
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer
  source text: On May 6, 2024, Southern First Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), announced that Christian Zych, 53, has been named Chief Financial Officer of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Southern First Bank (the “Bank”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090009/000120677424000549/0001206774-24-000549-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.