TOP BANKER PANEL 2021
Thursday, November 4th
9:15 am – 10:30 am: Small Bank CEO Panel ($500 million and below) - Vista Ballroom
Moderated by Gary Findley
9:15 am – 10:30 am: Small Bank CEO Panel ($500 million and below) - Vista Ballroom
Moderated by Gary Findley
Chris Walsh, President & CEO, Partners Bank of California
Chris Walsh is the President and CEO of Partners Bank of California. A 40-year veteran in the banking industry, Mr. Walsh has more than 20 years of executive management experience. Prior to joining Partners Bank of California in 2018, Mr. Walsh was Founder and Organizer of Blue Gate Bank. He oversaw all banking activities, primarily focusing on the development of new and existing client relationships, marketing, and expansion of the bank.
Previous to his work at Blue Gate Bank, Mr. Walsh served as President and CEO at Sunwest Bank. During his time at Sunwest Bank, Mr. Walsh was instrumental in the bank’s rapid growth. Under his leadership, Sunwest Bank more than tripled in size to approximately $820 million in total assets, becoming one of the most profitable banks in Orange County. During his tenure, Mr. Walsh also led five FDIC acquisitions and expanded the bank’s presence into Arizona, Idaho, Utah and Washington.
In addition to serving as President and CEO for Partners Bank of California, Mr. Walsh is a very involved member of the community. He has contributed many hours assisting various civic and charitable organizations, and currently serves as president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley’s Board of Directors.Mr. Walsh earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He resides in South Orange County with his wife and family.
Dann Bowman, President & CEO, Chino Commercial Bank
Dann H. Bowman is the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Chino Commercial Bank, and Chino Commercial Bancorp, a publicly traded company, with approximately $300 million dollars in total assets. Dann has been with the Bank for 21 years since its formation in 1999.
Dann is currently serving, or has previously served on several Boards of Directors: including the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; the Board of Trustees of San Antonio Community Hospital; the Ontario Community Foundation; the Inland Valley Chapter of Risk Management Association for the Financial Industry (RMA); The Community Bankers of California; the California Bankers Association Government Relations Committee; the American Red Cross, Inland Valley Chapter; and The Boy Scouts of America.
Gary Steven Findley, President of Gary Steven Findley & Associates
Gary Steven Findley & Associates is a law firm specializing in banking law whose areas of expertise include regulatory relations/legal work, mergers and acquisitions, securities, corporate representation, regulatory enforcement action counseling, and capital restoration programs.
Gary Findley is a specialist in the creating and legally shepherding of new and innovative programs for financial institutions. In addition, he counsels boards of directors and senior managements on maintaining safe and sound financial condition in a changing and challenging environment. Gary Findley is Director of The Findley Group, the management consulting arm of The Findley Companies. He is also President and Editor of The Findley Reports Newsletter and a Registered Investment Advisor.