West Coast Community Bancorp, the parent company of West Coast Community Bank, announced a significant leadership transition and governance overhaul Wednesday as part of a long-planned succession strategy.

CEO Krista Snelling has been appointed chairman of the board following the retirement of longtime board chair Stephen Pahl, who stepped down after 18 years of service.

In a move aimed at reinforcing independent oversight, the board also introduced the new position of lead independent director, naming veteran banking executive Wayne Doiguchi to the role. Doiguchi brings decades of experience, having previously served as chairman and CEO of a community bank and as a director of a Nasdaq-listed financial institution.

"The board sincerely thanks Stephen for his dedicated service as chairman and for the time he has devoted to the Bank," Snelling said. "As I assume the role of chairman in addition to CEO, I am confident in the strength of our leadership team and our ability to continue delivering for our clients, communities and shareholders."

Doiguchi expressed strong support for Snelling's expanded role, stating, "Krista has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a clear vision for our future. Unifying the roles of chairman and CEO ensures strong alignment between management and the board in driving long-term value for all our stakeholders."

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The board also welcomed Judy Bornstein as a new independent director and member of the audit committee. A seasoned finance executive, Bornstein brings more than two decades of leadership in private equity, venture debt and infrastructure finance. She previously held CFO and CCO roles at Western Technology Investment, Generate Capital, and American Infrastructure Funds, and is currently the founder of C Suite Resolutions, a conflict resolution firm for executives.

"I am honored to join the boards of West Coast Community Bank and Bancorp," Bornstein said. "I look forward to working with my fellow directors and management to further strengthen our foundation for the future."

The governance changes come on the heels of a rebranding and corporate identity shift for the Santa Cruz, California-based institution.

The $2.7 billion-asset company recently changed its ticker symbol on the OTCQX to WCCB, retiring the previous SCZC symbol used since its IPO as Santa Cruz County Bank. The move follows the bank's 2024 merger with 1st Capital Bank and its official renaming to West Coast Community Bank earlier this year.

The company also reported robust financial performance, with unaudited second-quarter earnings of $12.9 million—an 11% increase from the prior quarter and up 57% year over year. Year-to-date earnings rose 40% to $24.6 million, underscoring the bank's momentum amid its transformation.

The company's stock closed Sept. 3 at $40 per share – the highest it has been since July 30.

"Unifying the roles of chairman and CEO ensures strong alignment between management and the board in driving long-term value for all our stakeholders."

 – Wayne Doiguchi
President & Lead Independent Director
West Coast Community Bancorp