First Mountain in California Discloses Chief Executive Retirement

First Mountain Bank in Big Bear Lake, Calif., is looking to replace a pair of bankers who collectively have more than 80 years of industry experience.

The $135 million-asset bank said in a press release on Thursday afternoon that John Briner, its chairman and chief executive, will retire in March. Dennis Saunders, the company's president and chief financial officer, will retire at the end of this year.

Briner, who began his banking career in 1968, joined First Mountain in January 2006. He will remain a consultant through the end of October 2015. Saunders has worked in the banking industry for roughly 40 years, including the last 14 at First Mountain.

First Mountain is going to combine the roles of president and CEO, while the chief financial officer will be a stand-alone position. The search to fill these vacancies will include internal and external candidates.

"Jack and Dennis will be missed. Their leadership will not be easy to replace, but the board... is confident it will identify qualified candidates that will continue the community bank service our customers expect," Vince Smith, a bank director, said in the release.

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