Sierra Vista in California Taps Director as Next CEO

Sierra Vista Bank (SVBA) in Folsom, Calif., has hired a new president and chief executive.

Gary Gall, who has been a director at the $85 million-asset bank since 2008, succeeded Gregory Patton, who resigned in July, the company announced on Friday.

Gall has served as a consultant for the bank since last year. He spent 13 years as president and CEO of Western Sierra Bancorp, where he helped the company expand from $50 billion in assets and four branches to more than $1.2 billion in assets and 31 branches.

"Gary has achieved so much in community banking, and his experience and expertise will be extremely valuable to our growing bank," Brady Whitlow, the bank's chairman, said in a press release. "We're excited to have someone with Gary's talent leading our team, especially considering his significant relationships and familiarity with our community."

"I am honored to have been asked to lead this exceptional team of bankers, and have great expectations for the bank," Gall said in the release. "I thoroughly enjoy community banking, and look forward to my continued involvement with the bank, local community leaders, and the customers we serve."

Sierra Vista received a $1.5 million investment in May from Taylor International, a Chicago hedge fund. The bank considered selling before opting to raise capital, Patton told American Banker last December.