Mission Valley Bank Names Brian Carlson President and CEO in Planned Leadership Succession

Founder Tamara Gurney continues as Executive Chair and CEO of Mission Valley Bancorp and as Executive Chair and a Director of Mission Valley Bank

SUN VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mission Valley Bank and Mission Valley Bancorp today announced an orderly leadership succession in which Brian Carlson will become President and Chief Executive Officer of Mission Valley Bank and President of Mission Valley Bancorp. Founder Tamara Gurney, who has led Mission Valley Bank for 25 years, will transition to Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Mission Valley Bancorp, and Executive Chair and a Director of the Bank’s board of directors.

Carlson will assume responsibility for the Bank's day-to-day management and performance, while Gurney will continue to provide strategic perspective, governance leadership, institutional knowledge and support for important customer, industry and community relationships.

The Board's succession planning has been part of Mission Valley's strategic planning. The Board unanimously selected Carlson based on his prior CEO experience, his record of building banking businesses and teams, his knowledge of Mission Valley and his ability to lead the Bank while preserving its relationship-based community banking culture.

"The Board approached succession as a long-term responsibility to Mission Valley Bank, its employees, customers and shareholders," said John Parker, Chairman of the Board. "Brian brings prior CEO experience, a broad banking background and a proven record inside Mission Valley. We are confident in his ability to lead the Bank, and we believe Tamara's continued involvement provides valuable continuity as the organization moves forward."

Carlson joined Mission Valley Bank in 2021 and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of SBA, as well as President of Total SBA. His banking career spans more than four decades and includes service as Founder, President and CEO of Excel National Bank, as well as senior executive roles at First Bank, Temecula Valley Bank, Imperial Bank, Bank of the West and other financial institutions. He founded SBA Complete in 2011, a national SBA outsourcing platform that First Bank acquired in 2016.

At Mission Valley, Carlson has helped build and led the Bank's SBA platform, including sales, underwriting, processing and servicing capabilities. The SBA program has become an important contributor to Mission Valley's business and performance. Carlson also taught SBA lending for seven years at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado and remains active in industry education and thought leadership.

"Mission Valley has succeeded because of its people and because our customers know they can rely on bankers as trusted advisors who understand their businesses," Carlson said. "My priority is to preserve that approach while continuing to strengthen the Bank for the future. I am grateful for the Board's confidence, thankful to Tamara for the institution and culture she has built, and excited to work with our employees and customers as we begin this next chapter."

"I have known Brian for many years and have seen both his banking expertise and the way he builds teams and relationships," Gurney said. "He understands Mission Valley, he understands the importance of our culture, and I have confidence in his ability to lead the Bank day to day. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Brian in my new role as we build the next chapter of Mission Valley together."

Carlson said he does not anticipate significant immediate changes in the Bank's direction. His initial priorities will include supporting a smooth leadership transition, spending time with employees and customers, continuing the Bank's current strategic initiatives and developing leadership talent throughout the organization.

About Brian Carlson

Brian Carlson is a veteran banking executive with more than four decades of experience in banking and small-business finance. He joined Mission Valley Bank in 2021 and serves as President of Total SBA. Carlson previously served as President and CEO of Excel National Bank and founded SBA Complete, which First Bank acquired in 2016. He taught SBA lending for seven years at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, serves on the advisory board of the Ahmanson/UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance from San Diego State University.

About Mission Valley Bank

Mission Valley Bank is a California community bank serving businesses and individuals through offices in the greater Los Angeles region. Founded in 2001, the Bank is built around relationship banking, personalized service and financial solutions designed to help customers and communities grow.