McDermott + Bull Recruits CFO for 1st Capital Bancorp
January 30, 2024 – Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull has assisted in the recruitment of Joel Keller as executive vice president and chief financial officer of 1st Capital Bancorp and 1st Capital Bank in Salinas, CA. The search was completed by McDermott + Bull president Brandon Biegenzahn, managing director Courtney Dorrel, and executive recruiter Mary Heiman. “I am pleased to welcome Joel to the executive team at 1st Capital Bancorp,” said Samuel Jimenez, CEO. “Joel brings tremendous experience and will be a valuable contributor in guiding our company forward.”
Mr. Keller brings 30 years of finance and strategic leadership experience within the community banking industry. Most recently, he served as SVP and CFO at Liberty Bank in Poulsbo, WA, where he was instrumental in the formation of the bank’s holding company, issuance of subordinated debt, and initiation of trading on OTCQX Best Markets. Joel has served in executive finance roles with community-centric financial institutions for the past 20 years, including with Charter Private Bank, First Federal Bank of Port Angeles, and Liberty Bay Credit Union. His foundational career was built as a financial analyst with the Federal Home Loan Banks of Seattle and Des Moines.
In his new position with 1st Capital, Mr. Keller will be responsible for financial performance and proactive management of the bank’s liquidity and investment strategy. “I am excited for the opportunity to join the team at 1st Capital Bank and contribute to ongoing efforts to build on its strong foundation and grow to serve more businesses in the Central Coast,” said Mr. Keller.
1st Capital Bank’s markets are commercial enterprises, professionals, real estate investors, family business entities and residents along the Central Coast region of California. The bank provides a wide range of credit products, including loans under various government programs such as those provided through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bank operates full-service banking offices in Monterey, Salinas, King City, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz.
Related: McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Accounting Officer for First American Financial Corp.
McDermott + Bull provides mission-critical permanent executive placement and interim solutions for a range of domestic and global clients. The firm serves private and public companies, private equity firms and their operating companies across multiple industries, including technology, financial services, biotech and life sciences, and professional services.
Experienced Recruiters
Mr. Biegenzahn holds dual roles as president of McDermott + Bull and chair of the firm’s financial services practice group. As president, he leads day-to-day operations as well as the strategic buildout of the team of executive search managing directors. As chair of the financial services practice group, Mr. Biegenzahn is a partner to an array of financial services firms, including investment banks, commercial banks, private banks, credit unions, asset managers, institutional investors and fintech companies.
McDermott + Bull Recruits CFO for Community West Bank
McDermott + Bull has placed Richard Pimentel as CFO at Community West Bank. He will serve in this capacity for both the bank and the holding company, and he will oversee both accounting and finance, as well as investor relations. He succeeded Susan Thompson, who recently transitioned to SVP, interim SEC reporting manager. “We are delighted to have Richard join our executive management team as CFO,” said Martin E. Plourd, chief executive officer. “Richard brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience in community banking. As a member of the bank’s executive team, Richard will be responsible for overseeing all finance, accounting and regulatory reporting for the organization. His banking expertise and his understanding of our clients and our business community will be an advantage as we continue to grow our company.”
Ms. Dorrel partners with the principal consultants on executive level searches. Her prior professional experience includes admissions recruitment for a nationally-recognized trade college, as well as recruiting for technology and pharmaceutical/medical device professionals at small boutique firms.
Ms. Heiman works closely with the firm’s managing directors, sourcing senior leadership teams for clients. Her responsibilities include candidate research and recruiting, pipeline management and candidate flow, as well as performance feedback. Prior to McDermott + Bull, Ms. Heiman worked at a boutique executive search firm in Denver, CO, where she helped with searches in various sectors including financial services, marketing, aviation, and non-profit.
Recent Search
McDermott + Bull recently recruited Natalia Coen as executive vice president and chief risk officer at Bank of the Sierra. “We are overjoyed to add Natalia to the team at Bank of the Sierra,” said Kevin McPhaill, the bank’s president and CEO. “The addition of Natalia is yet another sign that our company continues to grow, and we know her abilities and experience will be critical to our future success.”
Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services through full-service branches located within the California counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. The bank also maintains an online branch and provides specialized lending services through agricultural credit centers in Templeton and a loan production office in Roseville, CA.
Related: McDermott + Bull Recruits Chief Banking Officer for Pacific Mercantile Bank
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
