For Evan Mathis, a career in accounting started with a love of numbers and a strong financial foundation at home. Growing up in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Mathis was surrounded by conversations about finance; his father worked as a financial advisor, while his mother was a CPA. When he arrived at Clemson, he knew he wanted a career involving numbers, but it was his first accounting course that solidified his path.
Today, Mathis serves as president of Founders Federal Credit Union, one of the region’s largest and fastest-growing credit unions. Recently named president after serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer, his rise to executive leadership reflects technical expertise, communication skills and a willingness to embrace opportunity.
During his time at Clemson, faculty mentorship helped shape his academic experience and career aspirations. Mathis credits professors including Suzy Pearse and Tom Dickens with making a lasting impact, not only through their teaching, but through the personal investment they made in students’ success. He also benefited from Clemson’s connections to the accounting profession, securing internships during his sophomore, junior and senior years that gave him valuable exposure and helped him identify his long-term interests.
One of those early opportunities proved especially significant. After his sophomore year, Mathis interned at Founders Federal Credit Union under longtime CFO Tony Gilreath. Gilreath encouraged him to pursue his CPA license and begin his career in public accounting before eventually returning to industry. Mathis followed that advice, joining Elliott Davis after graduation and specializing in community bank audits within the firm’s Financial Services Group. Along the way, he was mentored by several Clemson alumni who helped open doors and deepen his understanding of the industry.
In 2019 Mathis reconnected with Gilreath over lunch. That conversation led to an opportunity to return to Founders as a senior financial analyst, a decision Mathis now describes as one of the most important turning points of his career. Over the following years, he advanced through leadership roles in finance and accounting before being named president in 2026.
As president, Mathis works closely with the credit union’s leadership team and board of directors to guide organizational strategy and support nearly 300,000 members. He believes his accounting background continues to play a critical role in leadership and decision-making.
“Having an accounting background in the business world is a huge advantage,” Mathis said. “The ability to understand strategic decisions and their impact on financial results is highly beneficial to an organization’s success.”
Mathis emphasizes communication as one of the most important skills for young professionals entering accounting and finance. Early in his career at Founders, mentors intentionally placed him in situations where he presented to leadership teams and boards of directors, experiences that strengthened his confidence and communication abilities.
Looking ahead, Mathis is energized by the future of financial services, particularly the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the banking industry. Under his leadership, Founders continues investing in digital innovation and branch expansion to meet members wherever they prefer to do business.
Outside of work, Mathis remains active in his community through Mercy Church, the Anne Springs Close Greenway Board of Managers, the Levine Children’s Hospital Board of Ambassadors and the Lancaster Breakfast Rotary Club. He also recently joined Clemson’s advisory board. He and his wife, Lauren, his former Clemson accounting study partner, live in the Charlotte area with their two children, Drew and Annie.
Reflecting on his journey, Mathis says the most rewarding aspect of his career has been seeing the impact Founders has on the lives of its members and working alongside a team committed to service and growth. He remains deeply grateful for the education and foundation Clemson provided.
