Pacific Premier Names New Execs, Readies for Deals

Pacific Premier (PPBI) in Irvine, Calif., has named new chief lending and operating officers among several executive moves.

The $1.2 billion company announced Monday the hiring of Mark Whalen as a senior vice president and chief lending officer, as well as the promotions of Eddie Wilcox, Tom Rice and Teresa Dawson.

Wilcox was promoted to executive vice president and COO, Rice to executive vice president and enterprise risk manager and Dawson to senior vice president and director of branch banking.

All four positions are new and took effect Monday, Chief Executive Steven Gardner said.

Whalen has held executive roles at California lenders including First Interstate Bank of California, Finova Capital and East West Bank. Wilcox had been chief banking officer, Rice chief information officer and Dawson branch operations manager before their promotions.

"These are part and parcel with our strategy of growing through acquisition," Gardner said. "Part of our strategic plan is to make additional acquisitions, and we're really just getting these people in place ahead of the curve."

In October, Pacific Premier announced that it would buy First Associations Bank in Dallas for $53.7 million. In December, it raised $30 million through an offering.

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