Executive Management Team & Board of Directors

Executive Management Team

SIMONE LAGOMARSINO, President & Chief Executive Officer
Simone Lagomarsino has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Oaks Bancorp (the "Company"), parent company of Heritage Oaks Bank (the "Bank") since September 10, 2011. Ms. Lagomarsino succeeds Larry Ward, who retired after 18 years with the organization. Ms. Lagomarsino, a financial services professional, has over 20 years experience in executive positions including President and CEO for Kinecta Federal Credit Union; CEO at Warner Center Bank, Ventura County National Bank, First Plus Bank, and Imperial Financial Group.

JOANNE FUNARI, Market President, Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties 
Joanne Funari, a founding member of Business First Bank, has more than 28 years of experience in all facets of banking, including lending, marketing, sales administration and management. Prior to joining Business First Bank, she served in Executive positions at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and Bank of New York. As President, Ms Funari is responsible for the Lending, Credit Administration, Operations, Business Development and Marketing divisions of the Bank.

WILLIAM RAVER, Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Bill Raver has been General Counsel of the Bank since July 2008 and was promoted to Executive Vice President in February of 2009.  Previous to his appointment as General Counsel, Mr. Raver served the Bank in the capacity of Compliance Officer. Bill oversees Legal, Compliance, Regulatory and Corporate Governance, as well as Risk Management issues. With 23 years as a practicing attorney, Bill's knowledge and experience are invaluable to the Bank and its continued growth.  

WILLIAM FILIPPIN, Market President, San Luis Obispo Counties
William Filippin served the Bank as the Credit Administrator prior to his promotion to Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer in August 2010. Before joining Heritage Oaks Bank, Mr. Filippin served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at American Principal Bank in San Luis Obispo. Mr. Filippin has over 20 years of lending experience right here on the Central Coast.

THOMAS TOLDA, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Thomas Tolda joined the Heritage Oaks Bank Executive Management team in January of 2011. Most recently, Mr. Tolda served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at East West Bank, a $20 billion bank in Southern California. Prior to that, Thomas was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Consumer Credit Group at Wells Fargo & Co.

WILLIAM M. YARBENET, Executive Vice President & Chief Credit Officer
William Yarbenet joined the Bank as Executive Vice President / Chief Credit Officer of Heritage Oaks Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company on January 30, 2012. Mr. Yarbenet joins the Bank to further strengthen the team and to continue its focus on improving credit quality and the overall risk profile of the Bank. Prior to his appointment with the Company, Mr. Yarbenet served as Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer at PremierWest Bancorp since August 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Yarbenet served as Vice President/Chief Credit Officer at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from 2004 to 2009.

Board of Directors

Each of these directors brings a unique perspective and set of qualifications to the Board. Many are natives of the Central Coast and are connected to the local community and the Bank’s market area through their professional pursuits and civic involvement. The Company’s directors have attended many educational programs sponsored by various banker's associations, as well as recurring training sessions with accountants, attorneys and others in order to keep them current and informed on key banking issues and strategies.

Back row left to right: Michael Pfau, Mark Fugate, James J. Lynch, Alexander Simas, Kenneth Dewar, Michael J. Behrman, Dee Lacey, and Daniel J. O'Hare. Front row left to right: Donald Campbell, Vice Chairman; Simone Lagomarsino, CEO; Michael J. Morris, Chairman; and Larry P. Ward

MICHAEL J. MORRIS, Chairman
Mr. Morris joined the Company and the Bank as a director in January of 2001 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Company and the Bank since May 24, 2007. He serves as an Attorney and Chairman of the Board of the law firm of Andre, Morris & Buttery. He has served as a member and chairman of various non-profit boards of directors. He has practiced law in California for over 35 years, during which he has represented a broad array of corporate and municipal clients. The inclusion of Mr. Morris as a director provides the Board of Directors with a unique understanding of a broad range of legal and regulatory matters in its oversight of the Company. Furthermore, his extensive knowledge of local markets and the communities served by the Company gives him unique insights into the Company’s lending challenges and opportunities.

DONALD CAMPBELL, Vice Chairman
Mr. Campbell joined the Company and Bank as a founding member in 1994 and 1983, respectively, as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. He served many years as the owner of a local real estate office and currently owns El Pomar Vineyard Service, which specializes in agricultural appraisals and vineyard management. He has been involved with the Company for over 27 years and holds strong connections in the Community. Over the years, Mr. Campbell has attended numerous seminars and workshops were he has obtained several certifications from banking educators. His leadership abilities and long connection to the local community enhances his ability to serve on the board of directors.

ALEXANDER F. SIMAS
Mr. Simas was appointed to the Hacienda Bank Board in August 1998. With the acquisition of Hacienda Bank in October of 2003, he was appointed to the Company and Bank board in November of 2003. Mr. Simas practices law and is a senior shareholder in the attorney firm of Kirk & Simas. He has worked as an attorney for more than 30 years on small and large business transactions. Many of his cases focus on compensation issues which brings specialized knowledge and experience to the board.

DANIEL J. O'HARE
Mr. O’Hare joined the Company and the Bank, as Director in November of 2004. Since 1999, he has served as President and Managing Director of GBP&B Tax and Business Advisors. He has worked as a public accountant for over 23 years. His professional background during the last two decades includes significant experience in management and leadership, manufacturing, construction, real estate development, banking, health care, hospitality industry and agriculture. He also has extensive training and knowledge of GAAP. His extensive financial experience contributes to the Company as a director.

DEE LACEY
Ms. Lacey has served as a Director of the Company and of the Bank since January 23, 1997. Ms. Lacey currently appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, she has represented the California Beef Producers on a National level. She has served as a community college Board of Trustees for over 4 years and has been a local school board trustee over 20 years. Ms. Lacey is well known in the community and has received numerous awards honoring her service to education, agriculture, libraries and museums which provides a valuable perspective as a director.

JAMES J. LYNCH
Mr. Lynch joined the Company and Bank in June of 2010. He. has served as Vice Chairman of Sovereign Bancorp from 2005-2007 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign’s Mid Atlantic Division from 2002-2007. Lynch also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Bank in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey from 2001-2002. He has been Chairman and CEO at Summit Bank and Prime Bank in Pennsylvania. Lynch joined the Company Board in June 2010. He is a Managing Partner of Patriot Financial Partners.

KENNETH DEWAR
Mr. Dewar joined the Company and the Bank, as Director in August of 1998. He’s been as a business owner for over 25 years. Serving as President, J.B. Dewar, Inc. he has a wealth of knowledge and experience in running a small business and brings that valuable knowledge and experience to the Board. He has worked with several nonprofits and community organizations throughout the Central Coast. His leadership experience, extensive knowledge of the petroleum industry and corporate management enhance his ability to contribute to the company as a director.

MARK C.FUGATE
Mr. Fugate joined the Company and the Bank, as a director in November of 2003, after the acquisition of Hacienda Bank. Since 1989 he’s been in business as a commercial real estate broker, developer and investor, asset manager and farmer, with real property holdings in coastal California, the San Joaquin Valley, and the greater Phoenix area. Mr. Fugate currently serves as Real Estate Broker and co-owner of Charter Brokerage Company. Among his many attributes, is his vast knowledge in running a small business, investing and managing commercial real estate. In addition, he has served and continues to serve on the boards of several nonprofits and community organizations including the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. His leadership abilities and long connection to the local community enhance his ability to serve on the board of directors.

MICHAEL J. BEHRMAN
Dr. Behrman was a founding director and Chairman of the Board of Business First National Bank from 2001 to 2007. Dr. Behrman joined the Company and Bank as a director, during the Company's acquisition of Business First National Bank in October 2007. Dr. Behrman is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity disorders. He founded Associated Hand Surgeons and has offices in Santa Barbara and Solvang. For over 20 years he has served various positions such as Vice Chairman, Department of Orthopedics, at Santa Barbara's Cottage Hospital and Chairman Department of Orthopedics, at St. Francis Medical Center in Santa Barbara. He has an extensive knowledge of and a connection to the medical community which, enhances this market for the Company.

MICHAEL E. PFAU
Mr. Pfau was a founding director for Business First National Bank in 2001. With the acquisition of Business First Bank by the Company, he was appointed to the board in October 2007. Mr. Pfau is the founding partner of the law firm Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy LLP, in Santa Barbara. He has served as a member and chairman of various non-profits. His experience and extensive legal experience enhance his ability to contribute to the company as a director.

LAWRENCE P. WARD
Mr. Ward joined the Company as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company 1993. Prior to joining the Company he led the Bank of Evergreen, Evergreen, Colorado, as President and CEO. He brings to the board an intimate understanding of our business and organization, as well as substantial leadership abilities, banking industry expertise, and management experience. In addition, his experience with various local nonprofit organizations provides him with a valuable understanding of the Central Coast. In September of 2011, Mr. Ward retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company after 18 years of service. Mr. Ward will remain on the Company's and Bank's Board of Directors.