McDermott + Bull Recruits CFO for Community West Bank
January 28, 2022 – Irvine, CA-based search firm McDermott + Bull has placed Richard Pimentel as chief financial officer 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 succeeds Susan Thompson, who recently transitioned to SVP, interim SEC reporting manager. The search was completed by McDermott + Bull president Brandon Biegenzahn, managing director Michelle Davis, and director Courtney Dorrel.
“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.”
Mr. Pimentel is well-known in the Southern California market having most recently served as CFO of CalPrivate Bank, where he navigated the bank through significant organic growth over two and a half years, from $850 million to $1.3 billion. Throughout his career, Mr. Pimentel served as a highly visible finance leader for community banks and brings a vast amount of experience in accounting and finance.
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Community West Bancshares is a financial services company with headquarters in Goleta, CA. The company is the holding company for Community West Bank, the largest publicly traded community bank serving California’s Central Coast area of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Community West Bank has seven full-service California branch banking offices in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Oxnard and Paso Robles.
Experienced Recruiters
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.
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.
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Ms. Davis leads all internal execution strategy for the firm’s financial services practice group. With nearly 10 years of recruiting experience, she initially focused on technology leadership before transitioning into financial services.
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.
Recently Called In
McDermott + Bull was engaged to lead the chief financial officer search for Goodwill Industries of Orange County (Goodwill of OC). The assignment will be led by McDermott + Bull co-founder and managing partner Chris Bull, partner Jeff Black, and director Sara Pizarro. “We feel privileged to partner once again with Goodwill of Orange County on their CFO search,” said Mr. Bull. “A few years back, we successfully completed the CEO search for Goodwill, bringing in Nicole Suydam who has done a wonderful job since assuming the role. We look forward to what lies ahead for this incredible organization.”
Since 1924, Goodwill of Orange County has worked to help people who face barriers find and keep meaningful employment. Founded on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to achieve the independence in which employment provides, Goodwill is most recognized for its donated-goods thrift stores.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
