For Immediate Release
03/07/2008 8:00am
Mitch Massey, SVP
805.369.5281
mmassey@heritageoaksbank.com

(Paso Robles, CA)- Business First Bank, a division of Heritage Oaks Bank, and Express Employment Professionals are pleased to announce a business luncheon presentation featuring Keith McFarland, author of "The Breakthrough Company". The luncheon is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort in the San Rafael Room, located at 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara.

Keith McFarland has worked as a technology CEO, business school dean, consultant, and writer. He has provided management insight to organizations for more than 20 years and is the founder of McFarland Strategy Partners, which provides strategic advisory services to Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Motorola and scores of middle market growth firms. At the age of 26, while at Pepperdine University, McFarland became one of the youngest business school deans in the nation. He has also worked with Peter Drucker to earn his doctorate from the Drucker School of Business at Claremont University, developed executive education programs in the US, Europe, Asia and founded the quarterly business journal "Management Insight". McFarland’s book, "The Breakthrough Company", heralded as the "Good to Great" for growth companies, represents the most exhaustive study of successful growth companies in history. McFarland and his research team spent five years researching and analyzing a database of more than 7,000 companies, all of them on Inc. Magazine’s annual list of the 500 fastest growing companies. For more information about Keith McFarland and "The Breakthrough Company", go to www.breakthroughcompany.com.

"It is always our focus to put our business clients first, says Joanne Funari, President of Business First Bank. Part of this dedication is to bring Keith McFarland to our community. In his presentation he will show you how to take your business from good to great," adds Funari.

"I’m excited that the success story of Express Professionals was featured in this book, says Karen Dwyer, Owner of Express Employment Professionals. We’ve worked hard to continually raise the bar on the level of service we provide to our clients and employees," adds Dwyer.

All attendees will receive a copy of "The Breakthrough Company" and will have the opportunity to get their book autographed before and after the luncheon. After the book signing lunch will be served, followed by McFarland’s presentation. Tickets are $75.00 per person and space is limited. If you would like more information or would like to RSVP, please contact Debbie Deneault at 805.568.5552 or at ddeneault@businessfirst.com.

This year Heritage Oaks Bank is celebrating a quarter century of dedicated service to the people and communities of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. We now have 15 convenient branch locations, including our newest location in San Miguel. We also welcome Business First into our banking family. Their two offices in downtown Santa Barbara operate as a division of Heritage Oaks Bank. Let us show you why it’s time to Expect More.

Heritage Oaks Bank is the largest publically owned community bank on the Central Coast and is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Equal Housing Lender.