Executive Management Team & Board of Directors
Executive Management Team
SIMONE LAGOMARSINO, President & Chief Executive Officer
Simone Lagomarsino has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Oaks Bancorp (the "Company"), parent company of Heritage Oaks Bank (the "Bank") since September 10, 2011. Simone succeeds Larry Ward, who retired after 18 years with the organization. Simone, a financial services professional, has over 20 years experience in executive positions including President and CEO for Kinecta Federal Credit Union; CEO at Warner Center Bank, Ventura County National Bank, First Plus Bank, and Imperial Financial Group.
MARK K. OLSON, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Mark Olson joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on January 7, 2013. He has over 23 years of financial services industry experience and is responsible for directing and overseeing the company’s finance and accounting functions. He held a number of senior financial management positions prior to joining the Bank and served as EVP & CFO at Pacific Capital Bancorp and was with Goldman Sachs Bank, USA and at Westcorp. Mark is a Certified Public Accountant.
WILLIAM RAVER, Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Bill Raver has been General Counsel of the Bank since July 2008 and was promoted to Executive Vice President in February of 2009. Previous to his appointment as General Counsel, Bill served the Bank in the capacity of Compliance Officer. Bill oversees Legal, Compliance, Regulatory and Corporate Governance, as well as Risk Management issues. With 23 years as a practicing attorney, Bill's knowledge and experience are invaluable to the Bank and its continued growth.
WILLIAM M. YARBENET, Executive Vice President & Chief Credit Officer
Bill Yarbenet joined the Bank as Executive Vice President / Chief Credit Officer on January 30, 2012. Bill joined the Bank to further strengthen the team and to continue its focus on improving credit quality and the overall risk profile of the Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, Bill served as Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer at PremierWest Bancorp and before than served as Vice President/Chief Credit Officer at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
JOANNE FUNARI, Executive Vice President, Market Area President, Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties
Joanne Funari, a founding member of Business First Bank, has more than 28 years of experience in all facets of banking, including lending, marketing, sales administration and management. Prior to joining Business First Bank, she served in Executive positions at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and Bank of New York. As Market Area President, Joanne is responsible for the lending, credit administration, operations, business development and marketing divisions of the Bank.
ROB OSTERBAUER, Executive Vice President, Market Area President, San Luis Obispo Counties
Rob Osterbauer joined Heritage Oaks Bank as Executive Vice President, Market Area President in May 2012. Rob leads the Bank’s agricultural lending effort in addition to overseeing the retail and commercial banking divisions in San Luis Obispo County. Rob comes to his new position with a deep background in agribusiness lending. He spent seven years at Rabobank NA, where he most recently managed the bank’s Central Coast agribusiness division. He is a Certified Public Accountant who dedicated six years of his career to public accounting. He has long-term roots on the Central Coast, having received a Business Economics degree from UC Santa Barbara before completing an MBA at Cal Poly, SLO. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs.
T. JOSEPH STRONKS, Executive Vice President, Senior Operations Officer
Joseph Stronks joined the Bank in October 2007 as Senior Vice President of Central Services and eBanking. In March 2010, Joseph was promoted to Senior Operations Officer and was again promoted in December 2012 earning the title Executive Vice President. As Senior Operations Officer, Joseph oversees the Services Solutions, Information Technology and Deposit Operations departments. Joseph has over 20 years of community banking experience. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, has completed his Project Manager Certification through UCSB Extension, and is a 2009 graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.
KAREN DALLY, Executive Vice President, Talent Management and Organizational Development Officer
Karen Dally joined Heritage Oaks Bank in February 2012 as Executive Vice President, Talent Management and Organization Development Officer. Prior to joining the Heritage Oaks Bank team, Karen held the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer titles at various banks. Most recently her work experience includes CoastHills Federal Credit Union, Vineyard Bank, N.A., and Hawthorne Savings. With over 20 years of experience as an executive human resources, training and administrative professional, Karen has led strategic corporate culture transformations, talent acquisition, and training and development programs. She also maintains a human resource certification as an SPHR-CA professional.
RUSTY WATSON, Senior Vice President, Director of Product Development & Communications Strategy
Rusty Watson joined the Bank in November 2012 and responsible for directing the Bank’s development of new products and services and the marketing, advertising and public relations programs. Rusty has many years of experience in financial services marketing and has worked for several local banks in the tri-counties including Montecito Bank & Trust and Pacific Capital Bancorp/Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. She also served for two years as the national multi-media spokesperson for the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C. Rusty is a native of Ventura and a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara and the American Bankers Association’s School of Bank Marketing at the University of Colorado. She received her media training with NBC News and Carl Byoir & Associates in New York.
Board of Directors
Back row left to right: Michael Pfau, Mark Fugate, Alexander Simas, Larry P. Ward, Michael J. Behrman, Daniel J. O'Hare, Dee Lacey and James J. Lynch. Front row left to right: Simone Lagomarsino, CEO; Michael J. Morris, Chairman, Donald Campbell, Vice Chairman.
Each of these directors brings a unique perspective and set of qualifications to the Board. Many are natives of the Central Coast and are connected to the local community and the Bank’s market area through their professional pursuits and civic involvement. The Company’s directors have attended many educational programs sponsored by various banker's associations, as well as recurring training sessions with accountants, attorneys and others in order to keep them current and informed on key banking issues and strategies.
Mr. Morris joined the Company and the Bank as a director in January of 2001 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Company and the Bank since May 24, 2007. He serves as an Attorney and Chairman of the Board of the law firm of Andre, Morris & Buttery. He has served as a member and chairman of various non-profit boards of directors. He has practiced law in California for over 35 years, during which he has represented a broad array of corporate and municipal clients. The inclusion of Mr. Morris as a director provides the Board of Directors with a unique understanding of a broad range of legal and regulatory matters in its oversight of the Company. Furthermore, his extensive knowledge of local markets and the communities served by the Company gives him unique insights into the Company’s lending challenges and opportunities.
Mr. Campbell joined the Company and Bank as a founding member in 1994 and 1983, respectively, as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. He served many years as the owner of a local real estate office and currently owns El Pomar Vineyard Service, which specializes in agricultural appraisals and vineyard management. He has been involved with the Company for over 27 years and holds strong connections in the Community. Over the years, Mr. Campbell has attended numerous seminars and workshops were he has obtained several certifications from banking educators. His leadership abilities and long connection to the local community enhances his ability to serve on the board of directors.
Mr. Simas was appointed to the Hacienda Bank Board in August 1998. With the acquisition of Hacienda Bank in October of 2003, he was appointed to the Company and Bank board in November of 2003. Mr. Simas practices law and is a senior shareholder in the attorney firm of Kirk & Simas. He has worked as an attorney for more than 30 years on small and large business transactions. Many of his cases focus on compensation issues which brings specialized knowledge and experience to the board.
Mr. O’Hare joined the Company and the Bank, as Director in November of 2004. Since 1999, he has served as President and Managing Director of GBP&B Tax and Business Advisors. He has worked as a public accountant for over 23 years. His professional background during the last two decades includes significant experience in management and leadership, manufacturing, construction, real estate development, banking, health care, hospitality industry and agriculture. He also has extensive training and knowledge of GAAP. His extensive financial experience contributes to the Company as a director.
Ms. Lacey has served as a Director of the Company and of the Bank since January 23, 1997. Ms. Lacey currently appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, she has represented the California Beef Producers on a National level. She has served as a community college Board of Trustees for over 4 years and has been a local school board trustee over 20 years. Ms. Lacey is well known in the community and has received numerous awards honoring her service to education, agriculture, libraries and museums which provides a valuable perspective as a director.
Mr. Lynch joined the Company and Bank in June of 2010. He. has served as Vice Chairman of Sovereign Bancorp from 2005-2007 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign’s Mid Atlantic Division from 2002-2007. Lynch also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Bank in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey from 2001-2002. He has been Chairman and CEO at Summit Bank and Prime Bank in Pennsylvania. Lynch joined the Company Board in June 2010. He is a Managing Partner of Patriot Financial Partners.
Mr. Fugate joined the Company and the Bank, as a director in November of 2003, after the acquisition of Hacienda Bank. Since 1989 he’s been in business as a commercial real estate broker, developer and investor, asset manager and farmer, with real property holdings in coastal California, the San Joaquin Valley, and the greater Phoenix area. Mr. Fugate currently serves as Real Estate Broker and co-owner of Charter Brokerage Company. Among his many attributes, is his vast knowledge in running a small business, investing and managing commercial real estate. In addition, he has served and continues to serve on the boards of several nonprofits and community organizations including the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. His leadership abilities and long connection to the local community enhance his ability to serve on the board of directors.
Dr. Behrman was a founding director and Chairman of the Board of Business First National Bank from 2001 to 2007. Dr. Behrman joined the Company and Bank as a director, during the Company's acquisition of Business First National Bank in October 2007. Dr. Behrman is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity disorders. He founded Associated Hand Surgeons and has offices in Santa Barbara and Solvang. For over 20 years he has served various positions such as Vice Chairman, Department of Orthopedics, at Santa Barbara's Cottage Hospital and Chairman Department of Orthopedics, at St. Francis Medical Center in Santa Barbara. He has an extensive knowledge of and a connection to the medical community which, enhances this market for the Company.
Mr. Pfau was a founding director for Business First National Bank in 2001. With the acquisition of Business First Bank by the Company, he was appointed to the board in October 2007. Mr. Pfau is the founding partner of the law firm Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy LLP, in Santa Barbara. He has served as a member and chairman of various non-profits. His experience and extensive legal experience enhance his ability to contribute to the company as a director.
Mr. Ward joined the Company as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company 1993. Prior to joining the Company he led the Bank of Evergreen, Evergreen, Colorado, as President and CEO. He brings to the board an intimate understanding of our business and organization, as well as substantial leadership abilities, banking industry expertise, and management experience. In addition, his experience with various local nonprofit organizations provides him with a valuable understanding of the Central Coast. In September of 2011, Mr. Ward retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company after 18 years of service. Mr. Ward will remain on the Company's and Bank's Board of Directors.