Management Bios

With extensive expertise in finance, capital markets and strategic transactions, Carlos offers valuable guidance to multiple private and public companies. 

Carlos retired from Wells Fargo Bank in May 2014, where he served as executive vice president and group head of the eastern division of Wells Fargo commercial banking. Carlos was also responsible for the bank’s government and institutional banking group and served on Wells Fargo’s management committee. Carlos joined First Union National Bank in 2000 as the wholesale banking executive for the commercial segment prior to its merger with Wachovia Corporation in 2001. From 2006 until Wachovia’s merger with Wells Fargo in 2009, Carlos was the Wholesale Banking Executive and an EVP for the Wachovia General Banking Group. Before joining First Union, Carlos served in a variety of roles at Bank of America and its predecessors including NationsBank, North Carolina National Bank and Bankers Trust of South Carolina, which he joined in 1973. Carlos received his B.A. in Economics from Newberry College. He is also a graduate of the Commercial Lending School in Oklahoma and the Colgate Darden Commercial Lending School at the University of Virginia. 

Mr. Evans is chairman of the board of Highwoods Properties (NYSE: HIW), chairman emeritus of the board of the Spoleto Festival USA and past chairman of the board of the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation. Carlos also serves on the boards of Johnson Management, National Coatings and Supplies, Warren Oil Company, and American Welding & Gas, along with two BDC fund boards, Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (NYSE: GSBD) and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp. II. He was also a former director of SYKES Enterprises (NASDAQ: SYKE) - recently acquired and taken private by Sitel Group.  Mr. Evans has also recently authored a new book, "Ally of the Entrepreneur: The Rise of Banking in the South and the Fall of Wachovia." -  https://a.co/d/hH83vLE 

As Chairman, Mr. Evans directs Salem Capital's overall strategy in regards to investment decision-making and capital activities. His strong background enables Salem to leverage his capital markets/financing/investment expertise, which guides and cultivates our overall business development and investments.

Prior to Salem Capital, Blake was an experienced Credit/Risk Management professional with over 15 years experience in the Banking industry. Mr. Evans held numerous underwriting and portfolio management roles with Carolina First Bank (The South Financial Group, parent), Morgan Stanley (Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A.), Bank of America, and SunTrust now Truist. 

Mr. Evans specializes in Business Banking/Commercial/SBA Underwriting and Financial Analysis, Credit/Risk Reporting and Review, Securities-Based Lending, and High Net Worth/Affluent Lending. These areas of concentration and expertise supported multiple business lines, which included Business Banking, Middle Market, Corporate Banking, Small Business and Private Wealth.

As Co-Managing Partner, President, and CEO of family investment holdco Salem Capital LLC, Mr. Evans is responsible for the management of Salem's existing investment portfolio, sourcing/prospecting new investments/transactions, and all day-to-day administrative functions.

Blake received his B.A. in Political Science from Davidson College in 2005. He is active and involved with numerous community/philanthropic organizations including: Spoleto Festival USA, Mecklenburg County Council/BSA, Holy Angels, Gibbes Museum of Art, Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte Symphony (CSO), Miracle Park-Rock Hill, SC (York County Disabilities Foundation), Camp Canaan, and Foundation for the Carolinas (FFTC). Mr. Evans also recently commenced his term as a market advisory board member (Central Carolinas) for Oakworth Capital Bank (OTCQX: OAKC).   

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/blake-evans-75563510