Rodeno joins Bank of Marin's (NASDAQ: BMRC) 12-member board. During her 40 year career, she was one of the wine industry's few female CEOs, heading St. Supery Winery.
She also has bank board experience, serving for 10 years as a director at Silicon Valley Bank , (NASDAQ: SIVB) which is an active lender to the wine industry.
"Michaela's leadership skills and significant management and board experience will be of great value, particularly as we continue to expand in Napa and Sonoma counties and build our wine and wine-related portfolio, which is one of our highest priorities," saidJoel Sklar, chairman of Bank of Marin.
Last month Bank of Marin expanded its Wine Country lending team with the hiring ofMatthew Bartlett as a commercial lender in Napa. The $1.4 billion bank made a big push into Wine Country with its February 2011 acquisition of Napa-based Charter Oak Bank in an FDIC-assisted deal.
Wine Country banking is highly competitive. Walnut Creek's Bay Commercial Bank (OTCBB: BCML) is also expanding in the market, going up against Bank of America , (NYSE: BAC) Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and several community banks in the market.
Bank of Marin President and CEO Russell Colombo says the bank's lending in Napa Valley focuses on wineries and related businesses, but avoids agricultural financing of land and vines.
"Ag lending is a real speciality with several variables, including mother nature," Colombo said.
Also expanding in Wine Country is Richmond-based Mechanics Bank , (OTCBB: MCBH) the Bay Area's largest community bank with $3 billion in assets.
Mechanics Bank plans to open its second Napa branch in a prominent location. The bank also has a branch in St. Helena.
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