Joseph Helleis has served as a director since May 2002 and as our Chairman of the Board since December 2005, succeeding the late Edward L. Masry, who passed away on December 6, 2005. Mr. Helleis also serves as chairperson of the Audit Committee, and, until June 26, 2006, also served as chairperson of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Since 2002, he has been operating his own financial services consulting firm, Joseph Helleis and Associates. From 2000 to 2002, he was President/Chief Executive Officer with Bank of Whittier, California. From 1981 to 2000, he served in senior executive capacities as Chairman/CEO, President/CEO, and Chief Credit Officer with number of financial institutions in the southern California region. After his honorable discharge from the United States Navy in 1960, Mr. Helleis served with Citibank in New York City until 1981 where his last position was Vice President/Senior Credit Officer for the New York State Business Banking Region. |