As a career banker, I have been privileged to experience and impact many facets of the banking industry in San Diego. As a founder of San Diego National Bank (SDNB), I had envisioned creating a financial institution that served the community on many levels—and for 28 years my colleagues and I made this a reality by meeting the financial and banking needs of our customers and reinvesting a percentage of the bank’s profits back into the community. In 1996, I was appointed president of SDNB and in 2000, the role of CEO was added to my responsibilities. Under my leadership at SDNB, the bank’s asset base grew to more than $3.5 billion. After the acquisition of SDNB by U.S. Bank, I served a two-year term as regional chairman of U.S. Bank until December 2011. Since then I have focused my activities on causes and projects that are important to me such as serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at San Diego Zoo Global, serving as a board member of San Diego Opera, and serving as a board member of the Boy Scouts of America, San Diego-Imperial Council. I am utilizing my experience in founding a bank for my latest professional endeavor—I am a founder and consultant in the formation of a new bank in San Diego with a group of investors. I am passionate about serving my community; I have been fortunate to have raised more than $100 million for non-profit organizations and academic institutions while serving in volunteer leadership positions with these groups.