Women in Leadership Profile
[PICTURED L-R]: MELISSA FULLER, SVP HUMAN RESOURCES | LINDA SPINELLI, SVP CENTRAL OPERATIONS | JANIS POWERS, EVP RISK MGT. | KIM BOOKE, SVP CREDIT ADMIN. | SUZI LEWIS,
AVP BRANCH MANAGER | JULIE DEHART, SVP RETAIL BANKING | SARAH WILLIAMS, VP TREASURY MGT. | CATHY GHAN, SVP COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Oak Valley Community Bank
Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches
O
“By creating a
shared vision,
ak Valley Community Bank was on sound lending practices, employee
established in 1991 with a vision to collaboration and community engagement is
make premier banking accessible to an experienced and driven team that includes
mutual respect
and an in-depth
its local community. For nearly 30 years, the Julie DeHart, senior vice president of retail understanding
bank has proudly served the greater Modesto banking, and Janis Powers, executive vice and Stockton area, and in 2018 ventured into president of risk management. of our unique
the Capital Region, opening a new branch at
455 Capitol Mall.
DeHart, who has been with the bank 15 years,
offers the advice to work hard and seize new
Today, Oak Valley has 17 branches and over opportunities to women just entering the
$1 billion in total assets. The Sacramento banking industry.
office is led by Branch Manager Suzi Lewis.
She is supported by a team of commercial
lenders, which includes Cathy Ghan, who
heads the bank’s Commercial Real Estate
Group, and a treasury management division
led by Sarah Williams.
“Many things have changed since the bank
first opened, but at Oak Valley, we also pride
ourselves on keeping certain things the same,”
says Chris Courtney, president and CEO. “Our
founders recognized old-fashioned service as
one of our founding principles, and it’s this
same ideal — anchored in timeless values —
that has remained a core part of our culture.”
Reinforcing the bank’s unique brand of
personalized service with an emphasis
skills, we can
accomplish
anything.”
— JANIS POWERS
“Commitment, dedication and overall work
ethic will be rewarded regardless of gender,”
Executive Vice President
Risk Management
says DeHart. “Don’t expect to be passed up for
an opportunity because you are a woman, and,
just as importantly, don’t expect to be given
opportunities simply because you are a woman.”
Powers has been with the bank in various
roles for nearly 20 years. She maintains
the women in leadership at Oak Valley are
determined and confident.
“We embrace our strengths, understand
our weaknesses, and we believe in ourselves
and each other,” Powers says. “Empowered
women surround themselves with other
hardworking, successful women, and at Oak
Valley, we lift one another up.”
455 Capitol Mall #115
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.260.5800
ovcb.com
SPONSORED PROFILE
March 2020 | comstocksmag.com
83