Coleman Movers & Shakers — Mary Thigpen, Columbia Bank, Simon Soh

January 2, 2020

By Caity Witucki
Contributing Editor, Coleman Movers & Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers — Mary Thigpen, Columbia Bank, Simon Soh

Mary Thigpen Joins Opus Bank’s Board of Directors

SBA preferred lender, Opus Bank, has announced the appointment of Mary E. “Mimi” Thigpen to Its Board of Directors, Audit Committee and Risk Oversight Committee.

Thigpen is an executive and strategic management consultant that advises clients on building, operating, and navigating successful transactions for their businesses with an emphasis on innovation, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and data management strategies.

“I am pleased to welcome Mimi to Opus’ Board of Directors,” says Paul W. Taylor, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opus Bank. “Her more than 37 years of experience in the technology industry, including cyber security and data management strategies, will be an invaluable addition to Opus’ already talented Board. I look forward to working with Mimi and the rest of the Board through the next phase of evolution for Opus Bank.”

Previously,Thigpen held Chief Executive Officer roles with OpsDataStore, Inc. and North Plains Systems. Earlier in her career, she held various senior leadership roles in strategy, product innovation, customer and marketing operations, and new business incubation while serving as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for Cox Communications, Inc., BearingPoint, Inc., and Arthur Andersen Business Consulting

Columbia Bank Named Top Small Business Administration Lender In Oregon

For the second year in a row, Columbia Bank has been recognized as the leading SBA lender by the SBA Portland District Office. Columbia Bank also moved up two spots from a year earlier to become the number three ranked SBA lender in the Seattle District Office’s region.

In fiscal 2019, Columbia Bank made a company record 186 SBA loans in the region covered by the Portland office. That was up from 171 a year earlier. In the Seattle District’s region, Columbia Bank made 132 SBA loans in fiscal 2019, up from 77 the previous year.

“Over the past two years, we have ramped up our commitment to small businesses, and increased SBA lending has played a vital role in our efforts,” says Clint Stein, Columbia Bank’s chief operating officer. “Small businesses help drive employment growth and function as important engines of economic activity in the Northwest, and Columbia Bank is a dedicated partner with these companies.”

First Financial Northwest Appoints Simon Soh as Chief Credit Officer

First Financial Northwest Bank formally appointed Interim Chief Credit Officer Simon Soh as senior vice president and chief credit officer of the bank.

Soh will oversee the bank’s overall credit culture and assume responsibility for its credit policies, procedures and processes. Dalen D. Harrison, who previously held the role, was promoted to senior vice president and chief banking officer. Under Harrison, the bank focused on expanding SBA lending in the markets the Bank directly serves, while also focusing on expanding the Bank’s customer base and obtaining more of each customer’s financial relationship.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the appointment of both of these leaders and the realignment of our organizational structure to support our growth objectives,” says Joseph W. Kiley III, president and chief executive officer. “We believe these actions will better position us to continue to execute on our growth strategies, including expanding into new markets and growing our product lines in 2020 and beyond,” Kiley concluded.

Soh has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry and has been with the bank since August 2010, most recently serving as senior vice president and chief lending officer. He assumed the chief credit officer role on an interim basis earlier this year.

Upcoming SBA Lending Professional Industry Events

2020 SBA Secondary Market Summit, January 8, 2020, Washington DC

2020 America West Roadshow: Stop #1, February 6-7, Denver, CO

Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference, March 18-20, Asheville NC

MALC 2020, April 20-22, League City, TX

America East Small Business Lenders Conference, August 12-14, Baltimore, MD

Music City Lenders Conference, August 19-21 (Tentative), Nashville, TN

FLAGGL Small Business Lenders Conference September 16-18, Orlando, FL

KY SBA Lenders Conference, November 14-15, Louisville, KY