SouthState Corporation (NYSE: SSB) announced today that Merriann Metz was appointed to the board of directors of both the company and its bank subsidiary, SouthState Bank, N.A.

Metz, 49, serves as general counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary for Publix Super Markets, Inc. ("Publix"), based in Lakeland, Florida. With over $50 billion in annual revenue and more than 250,000 employees, Publix operates 1,376 store locations across an eight-state footprint of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.

"We are delighted to welcome Merriann to our company. Her experience leading the risk management, legal and compliance functions of one of the largest Florida-based companies will add a valuable perspective to our board." said John Corbett, SouthState's CEO.

Before joining Publix in 2006, Metz began her practice of law at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor and Reed, P.A., a law firm based in Orlando, Florida, where she focused on commercial real estate and related commercial litigation. Metz actively supports her community through service to various non-profit organizations and has served as director and board chair of Easter Seals Florida, Inc.