Tamara Gurney began her career in community banking 33 years ago at American Pacific State Bank as Executive Assistant to the President. In 2000 when that bank was sold, Tamara was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Today she is the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Mission Valley Bank, a $250 million dollar community based business bank headquartered in Sun Valley, California.
2013-2014 CHAIRWOMAN OF CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANKERS
Tamara Gurney currently serves as Chairwoman of the California Independent Bankers (CIB). CIB represents the interests of all community banks within the State of California. CIB is also the state affiliate of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) which represents approximately 5,000 community banks nationwide. Tamara believes in the importance of developing strong affiliations within the community and with clients. Her dedication and philosophy were contributing factors by the CIB Board of Directors when selecting Tamara as the organization’s Chairwoman for 2013 and 2014.
ACCOLADES & CREDENTIALS
Gurney was recognized in 2012 as Business Leader of the Year in the inaugural Leadership Awards sponsored by the SCV Chamber of Commerce, Valley Industry Association and SCV Economic Development Corporation.
San Fernando Valley Business Journal in 2011 as “The Valley’s Most Trusted Advisor” as well as receiving the “Trail Blazer Award”. She was also named “Valley’s Top 25 Bankers” in 2002 by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is an Honors Graduate of the University of Wisconsin’s School for Bank Administration in Community Bank Management.
Tamara serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for the following:
- Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation Executive Board
- Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bank
- Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley
- College of the Canyons Foundation
- Valley Economic Alliance
- BizFed
- Southland Opera
- Advisory Board Member of the YMCA of the Santa Clarita Valley
- SFV Community Foundation
