Management
Executive Management Team
Carl Raggio - President, Chief Executive Officer & Board Member
Carl Raggio is President and CEO of Western Commercial Bank. His background includes over 27 years in the banking industry, 14 of those in executive management. Mr. Raggio has held executive positions at banks throughout southern California, including Southern Pacific Bank and First Bank of Beverly Hills. He also served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Marketing for DataTech Management Inc. Mr. Raggio was involved in rebuilding several troubled financial institutions by removing them from regulatory enforcement actions. Mr. Raggio also served as Chief Banking Officer at two financial institutions, overseeing assets of $240 and $750 million. He attended the University of Redlands.
Kathleen Bryan - Executive Vice President & Chief Credit Officer
Kathleen Bryan is Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Western Commercial Bank. Prior to joining WCB, Ms. Bryan served as Construction Portfolio Manager for Affinity Bank in Ventura, California. She has held senior management positions with Bank of America’s Capital Markets Servicing Group, IndyMac’s commercial construction lending subsidiary and Ventura County National Bank. Previously, she spent 15 years at Security Pacific Bank and Bank of America primarily in risk review, special assets and commercial real estate origination and credit administration. Ms. Bryan graduated summa cum laude from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX, and also completed the Pacific Coast Bank School program in Seattle, Washington.
H. Tommy Woo - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Tommy Woo is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Western Commercial Bank. As a certified public accountant, Mr. Woo served in executive positions for several financial institutions and in senior positions with public accounting firms. Prior to joining Western Commercial Bank, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Inland Empire National Bank. He also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Southland Business Bank and at American Pacific State Bank. Mr. Woo earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting and Masters Degree in Business Administration at Louisiana State University.
Board of Directors
Robert A. Abbasi - Director
Robert Abbasi is the founder and President of RTI Properties, Inc. Established in 1986 in Los Angeles, the real estate firm now owns and manages over 3,500 multi-family units and a number of retail properties in several states, including California, Colorado, Texas and Florida. Mr. Abbasi started his career in commercial real estate after earning a degree in Economics from the University of Southern California. He also earned his Masters of Business Administration degree from USC.
Michael Abergel - Director
Michael Abergel is a principal in the real estate appraisal firm Abergel & Associates, Inc. The firm primarily services the commercial appraisal needs of large financial institutions, insurance companies, community banks and related lenders. Mr. Abergel also has a background in developing and managing commercial real state projects as a limited partner or as the primary owner. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in real estate and finance.
Barrett Andersen - Director & Vice Chairman
Barrett Andersen’s extensive financial services background extends 32 years, including 17 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Savings and Loan of San Gabriel and its parent holding company, SGV Bancorp, until its sale in 1999 to IndyMac Bank. Mr. Andersen now serves as board member and treasurer of the Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. He also served on the board of Brethren Hillcrest Homes, the Le Roy Haynes Center, the La Verne Habitat for Humanity and the Western League of Savings and Loans. Mr. Andersen earned his degree in Business Management from the San Diego State University.
Kevin Bernzott - Director
Kevin Bernzott is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bernzott Capital. He founded the $500 million investment fund in 1992. Prior to starting Bernzott Capital, Mr. Bernzott was Chief Executive Officer of a real estate developer and an officer of an asset management firm. He has also held executive positions with the Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the Oxnard Police Activities League and the California Business Week Foundation. Mr. Bernzott earned his law degree from the University of West Los Angeles.
James B. Hussey - Director & Chairman
James Hussey is the founder of Hussey Insurance Agency, Inc. in San Pedro, California. He is a principal in the agency and also serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Committee of Bar Examiners. Mr. Hussey has also served Chairman of the Board for two public companies and served as Director for two others. He also has a background in the financial industry, with his involvement in the organization of community banks. Mr. Hussey has served on many local community group boards. His most recent position was Chair of the Pacific Corridor Redevelopment Project in San Pedro.
Charles R. Gross - Director
Charles Gross is a partner with Williams & Ribb, LLP. Mr. Gross was previously with a regional accounting firm and with an international accounting firm. He has served as Chief Financial Officer for a transportation company and a surface freight forwarder. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society for Certified Public Accountants. He maintains an AICPA Personal Financial Planning certification and holds dual licenses for Securities, Investment Advisory, Life Insurance and Mortgage Brokering. Mr. Gross earned an engineering degree and Masters Degree in Management Science from Lehigh University.
William J. LaBelle - Director
William LaBelle began his long career in the banking industry after serving in the Army Air Force during World War II. He held several positions at Pacific National Bank during his 34 years there, including head of Global Operations for International Banking. Mr. LaBelle then served as Senior Vice President and Cashier at West Valley Bank. Later, at Manufacturers Bank, Mr. LaBelle became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He is currently Chairman of the Finance Committee of Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Brentwood, California.
Carl W. Raggio III - Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Carl is President and CEO of Western Commercial Bank. His background includes over 27 years in the banking industry, 14 of those in executive management. Mr. Raggio has held executive positions at banks throughout southern California, including Southern Pacific Bank and First Bank of Beverly Hills. He also served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Marketing for DataTech Management Inc. Mr. Raggio was involved in rebuilding several troubled financial institutions by removing them from regulatory enforcement actions. Mr. Raggio also served as Chief Banking Officer at two financial institutions, overseeing assets of $240 and $750 million. He attended the University of Redlands.
