Women in Business: Linda Bertauche, Summit State Bank, Santa Rosa
Linda Bertauche
Senior vice president and chief operating officer, Summit State Bank
500 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403; 707-568-6000; summitstatebank.com
Age: 70
Residence: Healdsburg
Professional background: I have 35 years banking experience in Sonoma and Marin Counties. I began my banking career at the original Bank of Marin in San Rafael in the Loan Operations Department. I have held management positions at Sonoma National Bank in Santa Rosa and then spent 19 years at National Bank of the Redwoods ultimately assuming the role of senior vice president of operations.
I have been at Summit State Bank since 2005 where I am currently the senior vice president and chief operating officer with oversight responsibilities for compliance, branches, loan operations, central service operations, and information technology. Prior to my career in banking, my husband and I owned a food manufacturing business which produced gourmet canned items such as rum cakes, brandy cakes and crepes suzette, which were distributed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Education: I attended University of California, Berkeley, and Dominican College, now Dominican University of California. I am a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Staff: about 65
Tell us about you and Summit State Bank: In my current position of senior vice president and chief operating officer at Summit State Bank, I am responsible for all the operational areas of the bank including compliance, branches, loan operations, central service operations, and information technology.
Summit State Bank is a community bank with total assets of approximately $475 million with five branches all located in Sonoma County. We have two branches in Santa Rosa, including our main branch. Our other branches are located in Healdsburg, Petaluma and Rohnert Park. We specialize in providing exceptional services and solutions to aid in the success of local businesses and nonprofits throughout Sonoma County and the surrounding area.
Summit State Bank is primarily a business bank so our customers tend to be small businesses and their owners. To assist our local business customers, we are currently focused on lending to them through our $100 million small-business lending program which places our local deposits back into our local community, thus helping to strengthen our local economy and create jobs.
At Summit State Bank we sincerely believe in giving back to our local community so we provide each of our employees one paid work day a year to volunteer with any nonprofit in our community. We currently serve more than 140 nonprofits and we are very proud to continue to be named to the Top 75 Corporate Philanthropists list by the San Francisco Business Times. In addition, we have received the Top Corporate Philanthropy Award by North Bay Business Journal and we have received the Community Bank Award from the American Bankers Association for our nonprofit work.
Because of a tragic situation in my own family, I became very interested in wanting to help bring good healthcare access to all in our local community. I am fortunate to be able to currently assist one of our local nonprofits by serving on the Board of Directors as Co-Chair for the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County which supports quality healthcare for our local residents by awarding grants to local organizations which support our goal to expand access to quality healthcare.
In addition, I actively participate with my family, in memory of my grandson, in the annual Histio CURE Foundation’s Yosemite Hike for a Cure to raise funds for research to find a cure for histiocytosis.
I have also participated as both a speaker and panelist in the Nonprofit Boot Camp in Sonoma County regarding the Community Reinvestment Act and protecting nonprofits from fraud and embezzlement. I have also participated as a speaker at the ElderCare Expo in Sonoma County and I have served on the countywide Business Crime Prevention Task Force in 2009.
Words that best describe you: Caring, creative, hard-working, analytical, persevering.
Major accomplishment in past year or so and achievement most proud of in career: Being part of the executive team at Summit State Bank that has produced a financially strong, high performing bank and helped create an exceptional workplace for our employees.
Biggest challenge today: First, staying current with all the compliance and regulatory changes in banking. Second, cybersecurity. Third, increased competition for loans and deposits. Fourth, attracting and retaining knowledgeable employees.
How Will My Profession Change in the Next Five Years: Changes in banking will probably revolve around new technological changes that will surely dictate even more remote banking capabilities than our current online banking systems - perhaps resulting in a truly cashless society!
Biggest obstacles faced as successful female professional: I have been fortunate in not really having to overcome any big obstacles – probably because I have always worked with individuals who have helped and mentored me instead of hindering me. I am fortunate at the present time to work closely with Summit State Bank’s president and CEO, Thomas Duryea, who has been instrumental in our bank’s success as well as allowing me the latitude to individually contribute to our success.
Advice to young woman entering my profession or work world today: Be willing to step up and be a leader; be true to your ideals; work hard - always do your best; and make sure to have fun!
Current reading: Most of my daytime reading centers around banking regulations. At home I am currently reading Paris at the End of the World by John Baxter.
Stress-relievers: Reading a good mystery book; enjoying our beautiful local countryside.
Favorite Hobbies: Spending time with my two wonderful grandkids; traveling with my husband; photography, reading.
