Executive Committee
Debbie Skinner – Chair
EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, F&M Bank
Debbie Skinner has served as Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California’s (F&M Bank) EVP and chief administrative officer since joining the Bank in December 2000. As CAO, she oversees information technology, loan and deposit operations, call center, electronic banking, compliance, BSA/fraud, and treasury management support. Additionally, Skinner served as board secretary for several years, is the board appointed corporate compliance officer, and serves as a member of the following board appointed committees: executive management, compliance, and EDP steering.
Kathie Sowa – Immediate Past Chair
Commercial Banking Market Executive and Market President, Greater Sacramento Region, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Kathie Sowa leads commercial banking teams serving clients in the Central Valley and Central Coast of California. Sowa is also the greater Sacramento market president serving the 1,200 employees in the 7 counties in the market. In this role, she drives employee engagement and collaboration across all lines of business and brands including Merrill Lynch and US Trust. Sowa also champions the company’s corporate social responsibility and philanthropic efforts in the market.
Eric Ellingsen – Chair-Elect
President and COO, California Bank & Trust
Eric Ellingsen has served as president and chief operating officer of California Bank & Trust since January 2016. Within CB&T, Ellingsen oversees the business and branch banking, which makes up more than 80 branches throughout the state, SBA lending, private banking, corporate services, and the bank’s finance and planning functions. Prior to his current role, Ellingsen was CB&T’s chief financial officer from 2012 to 2015 and was responsible for the overall financial management of the company.
Kenton Thompson – Treasurer
President, Charles Schwab Signature Bank
Senior Vice President, Charles Schwab Bank
Kenton Thompson joined Charles Schwab in the fall of 2012. During his first four years at Schwab, Thompson served as senior vice president of bank products and distribution. In this role he oversaw all functions related to bank lending product development, sales, community development and diverse markets strategy.
In 2017, Thompson expanded his leadership responsibilities and was named the president of Charles Schwab Signature Bank. He and his teams are committed to doing business by the guiding principle: always look through the client’s eyes.
A.J. Antongiovanni – Vice Chairman at Large
President & CEO, Mission Bank
Since 2013, A.J. Antongiovanni has served as the president and chief executive officer of Mission Bank, a $490 million asset commercial bank focusing on business customers in Kern and Los Angeles counties.
Antongiovanni also serves as a director of Mission Bank, Mission Bancorp and President of Mission Bank 1031 Exchange.
James Beckwith- Vice Chairman at Large
President & CEO, Five Star Bank
James Beckwith is the president and chief executive officer of Five Star Bank and its holding company, Five Star Bancorp. With more than 20 years of experience, Beckwith joined Five Star Bank in 2003 after serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at National Bank of the Redwoods, in Santa Rosa, California. He graduated from San Francisco State University where he earned a bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in accounting. He is also a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.
George Cook, Jr. – Vice Chairman at Large
Chief Executive Officer, El Dorado Savings Bank
George Cook began his career with El Dorado Savings Bank in 1974, serving as a real estate appraiser. In 1983 he transitioned from the appraisal department to the loan department where he acted as the Senior Loan Officer. In 1987 he was promoted to President, Chief Loan Officer and Chief Operating Officer and served in that capacity through 2013. In January of 2014 he was named to the CEO position.
Dave Joves – Vice Chairman at Large
Senior Vice President /California Regional Manager, Bank of Guam
Since 2011, Dave Joves has served at the Bank of Guam as the senior vice president of the California region, a $350 million asset commercial banking business focused on serving small business and commercial real estate operators throughout the state.
He has more than 20 years experience working in community banking. Prior joining the Bank of Guam, he served as the CEO and CFO of Mission National Bank.
Martin Plourd- Vice Chairman at Large
President & CEO, Community West Bank
Martin Plourd was named a director and president/chief executive officer of Community West Bank and vice president of Community West Bancshares on November 2, 2011. Plourd has been in banking for 30 years and a bank executive for 20 years. Since July 2009, he has worked as a consultant on engagements with bank strategic planning, acquisitions and compliance. From July 2005 to July 2009, Plourd served first as chief operating officer and then president and director of Temecula Valley Bank, in Temecula, California.