Spotlight: Leaders in Commercial Banking

[caption id="attachment_67964" align="alignright" width="162"] Larry Fletcher[/caption]

A 30-year resident of Northern California, Larry Fletcher is the executive vice president and chief credit officer at Bank of Napa. He has more than 30 years of experience as a banking executive, 26 of them in Napa and Solano counties. He is responsible for all aspects of the bank's loan portfolio.

Born in Southern California, Mr. Fletcher graduated from Long Beach State University in 1974 with a degree in business administration. He graduated with honors from the Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle in 1988.

Prior to joining Bank of Napa, Mr. Fletcher was the manager of the commercial lending hub for Vintage Bank. He also held the previous role of chief credit officer for Solano Bank, a subsidiary of Vintage Bank in Vacaville, and began his banking career as a consumer loan officer for United California Bank in Los Angeles.

Outside of the bank, he serves on the board of directors for Child Start, a nonprofit that operates the Head Start child-development organization in Napa and Solano counties.

Tom LeMasters, president and CEO, credited Mr. Fletcher with helping the bank to grow a strong portfolio during tumultuous economic times. The bank reported nearly $150 million in assets at the end of 2012.

Don MercerBank of the West20 S. Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma 94952, bankofthewest.com, 707-778-3313

[caption id="attachment_67965" align="alignleft" width="180"] Don Mercer[/caption]

Don Mercer, senior vice president and national sales manager, has been with Bank of the West for 13 years. In this role for the bank, he manages the region's SBA team for small business and commercial lending.

Previously, Mr. Mercer served as a branch manager, regional business development officer and regional manager at the bank. He began his banking career while in college, and assumed his current position in 2007.

A graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School, Mr. Mercer also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Born in Anaheim and raised in Fullerton, he has lived in the North Bay for more than 10 years. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and reading.

Founded in 1874, $63 billion-asset Bank of the West operates 700 branches and offices in 19 states. The bank has several branches in the North Bay, including a commercial lending office in Petaluma and a wine-focused lending office in Napa.Michael SilvaComerica Bank2 Embarcadero Ctr., Ste. 300, San Francisco 94111, comerica.com, 415-477-3274

[caption id="attachment_67966" align="alignleft" width="180"] Michael Silva[/caption]

Michael Silva is a senior vice president at Comerica Bank, heading the bank's commercial lending group in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. He has served in his current role for nine years and has been with Comerica for a total of 15 years. That followed 12 years at Union Bank.

Mr. Silva has a bachelor of science degree in finance from Santa Clara University and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

Comerica serves a number of specialty food manufacturers in the North Bay, and the wine industry represents about 25 percent of the bank's regional portfolio, he said.

"There are a lot of companies in the region that are emerging from a smaller size and looking to grow," Mr. Silva said.

He said that the bank also sees growth opportunities for other sectors in the region, such as helping to finance the purchase of the North Bay Business Journal, Santa Rosa Press Democrat and the Petaluma Argus-Courier last year.

"You're seeing the impact of local business people owning their local newspaper," he said.

Comerica Bank had $63.3 billion in assets in its most recent report.Steve HerronExchange Bank545 Fourth St., Dept. 410, Santa Rosa 95401, exchangebank.com, 707-524-3102

[caption id="attachment_67967" align="alignright" width="180"] Steve Herron[/caption]

Steve Herron has served as senior vice president and manager for commercial lending at Exchange Bank since 2000. He focused on business lending for seven years prior to that as a business development officer at the bank. 

Mr. Herron's banking career began in Los Angeles, where he participated in a commercial lending training program for Union Bank. The program included a one-year assignment in Sacramento, which led to his transfer to the bank's small banking office in Santa Rosa as a commercial lender in 1987.

Since 1996, Exchange Bank has steadily developed its growing niche as a commercial lender catering to Sonoma County's artisan winemakers, growers and vineyard managers, growing that portfolio to more than $150 million. 

A resident of the North Bay since 1987, Mr. Herron grew up in Fresno. In his spare time he loves to listen to music, read business periodicals, follow the stock markets and collect fine wine.

"I personally think there is a reasonable level of pent-up demand within the business community -- most sectors -- for growth in hiring, capital expansion and expanded business lending," he said. "I think it will start slowly in 2013, held back by the second phase of the fiscal/budget cliff, but accelerate during the second quarter and into the back half of 2013."

Exchange Bank was founded more than 120 years ago and reported more than $1.6 billion in assets in its last financial filing.Barbara LarsonFirst Community Bank438 First St.,  Santa Rosa 95401, fcbconnect.com, 707-636-9711

Barbara Larson is vice president and commercial loan officer at First Community Bank.

[caption id="attachment_67968" align="alignright" width="180"] Barbara Larson[/caption]

Ms. Larson has been in the banking industry since 1996, and joined First Community Bank in 2008. She specializes in commercial lines of credit, equipment financing and SBA financing. The bank describes her as a client favorite who brings a wealth of business expertise and customized personal service to each relationship.

"I love working for a community bank, and First Community was the perfect fit for me professionally and personally," she said.

The bank encourages community service, and Ms. Larson shares her time and talent in through a number of community organizations. She is the current treasurer of the Santa Rosa West Rotary Club, a position she has held for nine years. As a longtime advocate for children, young adults and seniors, she also serves as the treasurer for the Elder Care Expo board of directors.Carol Landry First Northern Bank555 Mason St., Ste. 100, Vacaville 95688, thatsmybank.com, 707-447-8600

[caption id="attachment_67969" align="alignright" width="180"] Carol Landry[/caption]

Carol Landry is the senior vice president and western region commercial loan manager for First Northern Bank. She has been with the bank for eight years. In her current position, Ms. Landry manages commercial loan activities in Solano and Yolo counties.

She has more than 30 years of experience in commercial lending, including several community and national banks in Solano, Yolo and Napa counties.

Ms. Landry is past chairman of Vacaville Chamber of Commerce and Vacaville Library Commission. She has been a board member of several community organizations in Solano County. Ms. Landry holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of California, Davis, and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School at University of Washington.

First Northern Bank was founded in 1910 to provide better banking services to the Solano agribusiness community. Today, in addition to operating lines of credit and equipment lines and leases, the bank offers commercial solar financing and commercial real estate loans to small- and medium-sized businesses and farms. The 10-branch bank is a preferred SBA lender and reported $805.6 million in total assets on Sept. 30.

Jim WeningJPMorgan Chase835 Fourth St., Santa Rosa 95404, chase.com, 707-576-3003

Jim Wening is the market manager for Chase Middle Market Banking in Northern California. He has served in a number of leadership roles over an 18-year career in banking, most recently as market manager for Chase Middle Market Banking in San Diego and chairman of the bank's market leadership team for Orange County the Inland Empire and San Diego.

Mr. Wening spent 16 years as U.S. Bank's San Diego market president. He has a double major in accounting and finance from Texas Christian University, and an MBA with an emphasis in corporate strategy from Washington University in St. Louis.

"The North Bay is a great market with many strong businesses across different sectors, which makes it an attractive environment for Chase," Mr. Wening said.Lynne CarpenterLuther Burbank Savings804 Fourth St., Santa Rosa 95404, lutherburbanksavings.com, 707-523-9898

[caption id="attachment_47905" align="alignleft" width="167"] Lynne Carpenter[/caption]

Lynne Carpenter is the chief income property loan officer at Luther Burbank Savings. She has worked for the bank for ten years, formerly as a commercial loan officer.

Ms. Carpenter worked as a teller in high school and returned to banking after graduating from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. The California native worked in the commercial real estate lending department at a Newport Balboa Savings and Loan after college, embracing the associated challenges and choosing to focus her career in that field of banking.

As manager of the Income Property Lending Division at Luther Burbank Savings, Ms. Carpenter oversees the origination of loans secured by multi-family property in California as well as Seattle, Wash.

Ms. Carpenter said one of her biggest accomplishments was “helping Luther Burbank Savings achieve record profitability in one of the most difficult real estate markets in history.”Ruth Edwards Mechanics Bank433 Soscol Ave. Ste. 161, Napa 94559, mechanicsbank.com, 707-256-4343

[caption id="attachment_67970" align="alignleft" width="180"] Ruth Edwards[/caption]

Ruth Edwards, senior vice president and corporate banking regional manager for the Napa region of Mechanics Bank, has spent more than a decade as a North Bay banker. A longtime wine country resident who grew up in Santa Rosa, she joined the bank's Napa corporate banking office in 2006. Previously, she was part of the Santa Rosa regional commercial banking office of Wells Fargo. She lives with her husband, Gary, and two small children in Sonoma.

Mechanics Bank has been a North Bay fixture for 17 years. Its Napa client relationships, however, date back to the early 20th century, when it was a well-known lender to the wine industry. The bank has continued to lend during the economic downturn and focused on furthering its customer relationships as industries weathered the so-called Great Recession.

The 107-year-old bank passed the $3 billion asset mark last year with significant deposit growth. Offices throughout Northern California include Napa, a St. Helena and San Rafael. A new Napa office is set to open in late spring.Todd AllenPresidio Bank999 Fifth Ave. Ste. 100, San Rafael  94901, presidiobank.com, 415-293-1005

[caption id="attachment_68298" align="alignleft" width="187"] Todd Allen[/caption]

Todd Allen is the Executive Vice President and North Bay Market President of Presidio Bank. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Since starting Presidio Bank’s North Bay Regional Office in 2007, Mr. Allen said he has seen his talented team grow the region into the largest lending office at Presidio Bank with nearly $120 million in total outstanding loans.  

In 2013, Presidio Bank’s North Bay Region expanded into new ground floor space in downtown San Rafael as a result of the office’s continued growth.  A Marin County resident for over 20 years, Mr. Allen lives with his wife Robin and daughter Jordan in Novato.

Outside of work, he enjoys an active life style that includes kayaking, hiking, biking and traveling with his family. Todd stated, “I am continue to be excited about the future and growth of Presidio Bank and our ability to assist local business owners and individuals in reaching their financial objectives,” Presidio Bank, founded in 2005, has four regional offices in around the Bay Area and total assets of over $400 million.Mike Ledwich Rabobank, N.A.700 Trancas St., Napa 94558, rabobankamerica.com, 916-797-8286

[caption id="attachment_67971" align="alignleft" width="180"] Mike Ledwich[/caption]

Mike Ledwich is vice president and commercial banking officer for Rabobank, N.A. He is responsible for fostering new business relationships and providing solutions to meet the banking needs of business customers in Napa and Sonoma counties.

A banker for 26 years, Mr. Ledwich has spent his entire career in Napa. Before joining Rabobank, Mr. Ledwich was senior vice president and client relationship manager at Bay Commercial Bank as well as senior vice president and relationship manager at Charter Oak Bank.  He also served as vice president and senior relationship manager at Mechanics Bank in Napa for 10 years.

Mr. Ledwich earned a bachelor of science degree in finance and economics from Sacramento State University and an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.  A lifelong resident of Napa, he is a member and past president of Napa Sunrise Rotary Club.

Rabobank is a California community bank with nearly 120 branches, including branches in Napa and Sonoma and a branch and agribusiness lending office in Santa Rosa.Michael DowneyRedwood Credit Union3033 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa 95403, redwoodcu.org, 877-545-4100

[caption id="attachment_67972" align="alignleft" width="180"] Michel Downey[/caption]

Michael Downey is senior vice president of business services for Redwood Credit Union, where he has managed the credit union's business programs since 2006. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Chico State University and served on the city of Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities for nearly 24 years.

Mr. Downey has many years of business management and financial services experience in Sonoma County. He owned a local business for 30 years. Recognizing the unique financial needs of small businesses, Mr. Downey started a financial services career more than 10 years ago to provide custom financial solutions to help local businesses grow and thrive.

Aging baby boomers will play a prominent role in commercial lending in 2013 as they execute business-exit strategies and transfer assets, he said.

"We are entering a period of the largest transition of generational wealth in the history of our country," he said.

In 2008, Mr. Downey helped start Redwood Credit Union's SBA program, which has ranked among the top lenders in the North Bay for the past four years. The credit union is a Small Business Administration preferred lender with more than $2 billion in assets and in excess 220,000 members.

Sunny Lapham SAFE-BIDCO1377 Corporate Center Pkwy., Ste. A, Santa Rosa 95407, safe-bidco.com, 707-577-8621

[caption id="attachment_67973" align="alignleft" width="180"] Sunny Lapham[/caption]

Sunny Lapham joined SAFE-BIDCO as a loan officer in 2004. Ms. Lapham's current responsibilities include underwriting and financial analysis of loan requests and overseeing the corporation's Small Business Loan Guarantee Program and the Energy Efficiency Loan Program.

Ms. Lapham works extensively with community lenders to facilitate their small business lending. Under her stewardship, the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program tripled in volume this past year.

She has 25 years of experience in north coast banking and financial development, including stints at Exchange Bank and Redwood Credit Union. She has a degree in social psychology from University of Nevada and trained to administer loan programs backed by the Small Business Administration, as well as general banking. Ms. Lapham has served on the board of directors for a number of businesses, nonprofits and educational organizations in the North Bay.Rob McMillanSilicon Valley Bank899 Adams St., Ste. G2, St. Helena 94574, svb.com/winedivision, 707-967-1367

[caption id="attachment_67974" align="alignleft" width="180"] Rob McMillan[/caption]

Rob McMillan is the founder of the St. Helena-based Wine Division of  Silicon Valley Bank. Starting in 1992, he developed the division from the idea and startup phase to the point where it's now regarded by many as the leading provider of financial services to the fine wine business on the West Coast.

Mr. McMillan's banking career has spanned more than 30 years, over 20 with Silicon Valley Bank. In that time, he has moved though roles of increasing responsibility including a term on the bank's Managing Committee.

Today, Mr. McMillan supports Silicon Valley Bank's continuing growth and success in the wine business assisting the rest of the division's clients and bankers: sharing views on the macro factors impacting the fine wine business, offering customized management presentations for clients, writing, speaking and managing a portfolio of client relationships.

He has published reports of varied and emerging trends to the wine industry over the past decade and is author of the bank's annual Wine Industry Report. Mr. McMillan's perspectives regarding the direction, opportunities and threats in the fine wine business continue to be cited in regional, national international and the wine trade press.

Mr. McMillan received a bachelor's degree in finance and economics from Sacramento State University and an MBA from Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University. He is affiliated with, and supports numerous charities and industry associations both in and outside of the wine industry.

He is the father of two, enjoys the outdoors and travel, and takes any opportunity to play percussion and drums in live settings.Jamie WilliamsSonoma Bank1101 Fifth Ave., Ste. 360, San Rafael 94901, sonomabank.com, 415-747-3202

[caption id="attachment_67975" align="alignright" width="180"] Jamie Williams[/caption]

Jamie Williams has been senior vice president and commercial banking regional director for Sonoma Bank since he was hired two and a half years ago. His focus has been on building strong commercial banking teams in Marin County, East Bay and Santa Rosa. He said hiring high-performing, well-known veteran bankers are key in the success of the bank's commercial teams in the region.

Along with traditional business banking products and services, Sonoma Bank has experienced tremendous growth in owner-occupied commercial real estate lending.

Mr. Williams was born in Marin and has lived in Novato for more than 21 years. He has been in the banking industry for more than 30 years, always on the commercial or corporate banking side. Prior to joining Sonoma Bank, he was a founder of Greater Bay Bank Marin and was regional vice president for Westamerica Bank. His first position was in 1978 as a management trainee for Wells Fargo after graduating from Santa Clara University with a degree in economics.

Sterling Bank of Spokane, Wash., does business in California as Sonoma Bank.Bill FogartySummit State Bank500 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, summitstatebank.com, 707-568-6000

[caption id="attachment_67976" align="alignleft" width="180"] Bill Fogarty[/caption]

Bill Fogarty is senior vice president and chief credit officer at Summit State Bank. Mr. Fogarty joined Summit at the end of 2011 with 25 years of banking experience, including chief credit officer and chief executive roles at other community banking institutions.

Mr. Fogarty attended Arizona State University and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at University of Phoenix. He also graduated from Pacific Coast Bankers School at University of Washington in Seattle.

He focuses on all areas of the bank's lending programs and portfolio for safety, soundness and profitability.

"We are seeing indicators of an upturn in our economy due to a notable pickup in loan production in 2012 that was double the level of 2011," Mr. Fogarty said. "We heavily promoted our $50 million loan commitment in 2012, which we believe was part of our increased loan demand and production at Summit. But we also believe that the economic upturn was the foundation of this growth. Businesses are also beginning to activate their expansion plans and start projects that have been on hold for the last few years."

In his spare time, Mr. Fogarty enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife photography and golf. He also enjoys spending time with his wife of 28 years, Sheryl, his two children and grandchild.

Mr. Fogarty has "fallen in love with Sonoma County" and regularly donates his time to local nonprofits and chambers of commerce.

Founded in 1984, Summit State Bank has roughly $430 million in assets, 62 employees and five offices. Summit State Bank is a Top Performing Bank, earning the highest Findley Reports designation of all Sonoma County-based banks.Francine Boards Travis Credit UnionOne Travis Way, Vacaville 95687, traviscu.org, 707-469-1964

Francine Boards became vice president of business lending at Travis Credit Union in early 2012. It's a newly created position that is part of a targeted approach to boost the $2.2 billion institution's efforts in commercial lending. She served as senior commercial credit officer at the credit union since 2009.

Prior to joining Travis, Ms. Boards held senior management positions for commercial lending operations at One California Bank, Mechanics Bank and Civic Bank of Commerce. She has a total of 24 years of financial industry experience and is a graduate of the MBA program at St. Mary's College of California as well as Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

Patrick McCartyUmpqua Bank1400A Grant Ave., Novato 94945, umpquabank.com, 415-493-3120

Patrick McCarty is senior vice president and manager of Umpqua Bank's business banking center in Novato. He assumed that role following Umpqua's purchase of Novato-based Circle Bank in November, where Mr. McCarty had served as chief lending officer for ten years.

In his current role, Mr. McCarty oversees an office specializing in commercial real estate loans in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. He said that he expected Circle Bank's positive reputation as a commercial real estate lender would continue at Umpqua.

"Umpqua Bank is unique in that it has the pricing power of a large regional bank, but due to their internal structure, local management is allow to make credit decisions. This structure eliminates a common complaint regarding response time in larger institutions," he said.

Mr. McCarty has nearly four decades of banking experience, and has a bachelor's degree in finance from Texas A&M University.James Barrett Union Bank899 Adams St., Ste. F-1, St. Helena 94574, unionbank.com, 707-968-9514

[caption id="attachment_67979" align="alignleft" width="180"] James Barrett[/caption]

James Barrett is vice president and senior relationship manager with the Wine Industry Services group at Union Bank.

The Wine Industry Services group in Northern California is growing. Ttotal commitments to the industry increased by about 30 percent in the last two years. Mr. Barrett attributes this growth to the bank's consistency in its approach to the business and to its strong relationships with clients.

In addition to the wine industry, he has clients in the retail, food and beverage, and manufacturing sectors, and has worked with clients in many other industries during his career.

Mr. Barrett said his biggest accomplishment has been to successfully balance a rewarding career with an active and happy family life. He likes to spend time with family and friends and enjoys sports, reading and cooking.

He earned a finance degree at Auburn University and a master's degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance at Georgia State University in Atlanta. He is a graduate of Leadership Napa Valley and a member of the Napa Rotary Club.

Mr. Barrett has lived in Napa since 1995.

As of Sept. 30, Union Bank had assets of $88.2 billion and roughly 10,000 employees.Conrad Figueroa U.S. Bank1 California St., Ste. 2000, San Francisco 94111, usbank.com, 707.326.8397

[caption id="attachment_67980" align="alignleft" width="180"] Conrad Figueroa[/caption]

Conrad Figueroa is a senior relationship manager in the Bay Area Commercial Banking Group, which includes the North Bay, of U.S. Bank. The group caters to middle-market companies with a strong focus on relationship banking.   

Previously, Mr. Figueroa spent 10 years working for Wells Fargo Bank and five years for Comerica Bank. During his time at Wells Fargo and prior to becoming a vice president for commercial banking there, he was a branch manager and a licensed financial advisor.

Mr. Figueroa has lived in Northern California for over 20 years and is a graduate of University of California, Davis, in economics. Mr. Figueroa enjoys running in his spare time and is a 2011 Boston Marathon finisher.

U.S. Bank, based in Minneapolis, recently reported more than $350 billion in assets.  Scott Shapiro Warren Capital Corp.100 Rowland Way, Ste. 205, Novato 94945, warrencapital.com, 415-898-1875

[caption id="attachment_67981" align="alignright" width="180"] Scott Shapiro[/caption]

Scott Shapiro is senior vice president of Warren Capital Corporation. He is responsible for managing the lender's portfolio and developing relationships with its partners, which include community banks and the health care and franchise markets.

Mr. Shapiro has been with Warren Capital for 12 years. His career in banking began at BankBoston in Boston during its merger with Fleet Bank. He attended Boston College, graduating with a business degree in finance and information systems.

Having grown up in the North Bay, Mr. Shapiro moved back to California after college. He began working at Warren Capital as a three-day-a-week intern in the 2001 recession and gradually worked his way up to senior vice president. He said that ascent is one of his greatest accomplishments, leading to years-long relationships with repeat clients.

Over the past 29 years, Warren Capital has completed over $1.7 billion in financings, including $500 million in the North Bay, for more than 3,500 clients. The lender provides services that include equipment leasing and financing, large-scale debt placements and seller-focused merger-and-acquisition advisory.James KimballWells Fargo200 B St., Ste. 300, Santa Rosa 95401, wellsfargo.com, 707-584-3147

[caption id="attachment_67982" align="alignleft" width="180"] James Kimball[/caption]

 Kimball is a senior vice president and regional manager with the Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Group. He oversees the North Coast Regional Commercial Banking Office, responsible for a territory spanning from the Golden Gate Bridge to Oregon.

The team serves a variety of industries, but has specialists focused on wine, specialty food and agriculture.

Mr. Kimball has worked in financial services for more than 25 years, a career that has focused on commercial banking in Northern California and the western United States. He was regional president for wholesale banking at Wachovia when the bank merged with Wells Fargo and spent 22 years holding various leadership positions at Bank of America.

He received bachelor's and master's degrees in finance from Sacramento State University.

A lifelong Sonoma County resident, Mr. Kimball is an active community leader in Northern California and has a history of service on the boards of the North Bay Leadership Council and the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He lives with his wife, Sharon, and two children in Petaluma.Joseph Dietzen Westamerica Bank1108 Fifth Ave., San Rafael 94901, westamerica.com, 800-848-1088

Joseph Dietzen is senior vice president at Westamerica Bank. In that role, he oversees account relationships and loan production in the bank's Sonoma and Mendocino regions.

A native of Washington, he grew up in Yakima and came to California to obtain a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University. Mr. Dietzen later received an MBA in finance from University of California, Berkeley, and attended Pacific Coast Banking School.

He joined Westamerica Bank in 2005 when it acquired National Bank of the Redwoods. He had been executive vice president and responsible for real estate loan production there.

Mr. Dietzen said that he was pleased to work closely with the low-income housing efforts of the Sonoma County Loan Consortium and Burbank Housing. He also was actively involved with Redwood Empire Food Bank during a time of expansion.

When away from his duties at the bank, Mr. Dietzen said that he enjoys working on a classic Victorian townhouse that has been in his wife's family for generations.

Westamerica Bank reported $5 billion in total assets at the end of 2012.