Grow with Us.

Market President – Commercial Banking

Matt Dusi is Bank of the Sierra’s Market President – Commercial Banking. His 20-year career includes significant experience in the agricultural, logistics, and financial industries. Before joining Bank of the Sierra, Matt served as Senior Vice President for Wells Fargo, where he was the Fruit and Vegetable Sector Manager covering North America for the bank. He has also worked for Farm Credit West, Dusi Vineyards, and Robert Hall Winery and Vineyards. Matt graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and finance and attended Pacific Coast Banking School.

Sr. Commercial Ag Loan Officer

Lee Ann has over 30 years of experience in lending and commercial banking. She previously managed Wells Fargo’s Food and Ag Industry Advisor team and covered winery, vineyard, and tree nut sectors for the bank. At Farm Credit West, Lee Ann managed an office responsible for a $2 billion portfolio centered in the Central Coast’s winery and vineyard industry. She served as a speaker for Central Coast Wine Insights, the Winejobs.com HR Summit, and the National Bankers Association. Lee Ann was a board member for the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau and Chrysalis House, a nonprofit adoption agency in Fresno. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management with an emphasis in finance from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Lee Ann currently lives with her family on a small farm in Templeton that grows premium wine grapes.

Market President – Fresno Ag

Bank of the Sierra’s Market President for the Fresno ag region is Kevin Williams. Kevin has more than 25 years of banking experience, including serving as Central Valley Group Manager for Comerica Bank and several executive management roles for other local banks. He also established Security First Bank’s agricultural lending portfolio. Kevin has been on the Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors since 2006. He is also the current Board Chair for the Central California Blood Center and a Board Member for the Fresno Business Council. Kevin earned degrees from UC Santa Barbara, Fresno State’s Craig School of Business, and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania.

VP, Underwriter

Lauren supports our ag lending team with over 10 years of experience in local banking, including a previous tenure with Bank of the Sierra as Operations Manager for our Paso Robles branch. She most recently worked for Umpqua Bank as an Assistant Vice President, Commercial Underwriter and earlier as a Store Manager. Lauren belongs to the Parent-Teacher Association for Pat Butler Elementary. She graduated from Chico State with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business.

Credit Assistant

Kristen has been in commercial banking for 16 years since graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Agriculture Business. She began her career in SBA lending at a community bank on California’s Central Coast and gained experience in loan servicing, credit administration, new business development, and portfolio management. Kristen later joined Umpqua Bank’s agriculture team and assisted with all loan application and closing needs as well as extensive direct customer support.

Portfolio Manager

Garrett supports our ag lending team and focuses on small to midsized ag businesses. He previously worked for Bank of Marin as a Senior Credit Analyst and Portfolio Manager. Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Saint Mary’s.

SVP, Agriculture Lender

Sarah has over 18 years of ag lending experience including time as a Commercial Relationship Manager with Umpqua Bank and Vice President at Farm Credit West. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and is working on an executive MBA from Pacific Coast Banking School. Sarah stays involved with her community through several local organizations, including California Women for Agriculture, California Cattle Women, Paso Robles Wine County Alliance, San Luis Obispo County Ag Education Committee, and San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau. Her family runs a fruit and vegetable brokerage.

SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager

Ross Tenhaeff has over 14 years of experience in the banking and lending industries. Before joining Bank of the Sierra, he worked as Vice President, Key Relationship Manager for Farm Credit West. During his career, Ross developed a diverse knowledge of several commodities, including wine, grapes, beef, citrus, nuts, trucking, equipment, and more. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness finance and appraisal as well as a minor in real property development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and graduated from Atascadero High School. Ross is on the California Mid-State Fair’s Heritage Foundation Board, which showcases agricultural industries to the community near Paso Robles, and he also belongs to the Atascadero Rotary Club. He is fourth-generation Central Coast born and raised, and lives in Atascadero with his wife and three children.

Senior Ag Credit Assistant

Tarah Frederick has over 13 years of banking experience in San Luis Obispo County, the last six of which have been with Bank of the Sierra. She was previously a Regional Administration Support Specialist for the Bank’s Coastal region and a Financial Service Representative. Tarah is part of a third-generation family with roots in local business. She is proud of her history showing award-winning jackpot hogs across California.

AVP, Commercial Underwriter

Brandon supports our ag lending team with over 10 years of experience in the banking and lending industries. He most recently worked for Tri Counties Bank as a Commercial Credit Analyst II and also worked for Valley Strong Credit Union. Brandon earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from CSU Bakersfield.

SVP, Relationship Manager

Touradj has almost 40 years of experience in banking and consulting. He was an SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager at both Bank of America and Comerica Bank; a VP, Agricultural Loan Underwriter at Citizens Business Bank; and a VP, Private Banker at Wells Fargo. Touradj graduated from the University of London with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in management science. He also has a teaching credential from the University of London and has taught accounting and finance classes at Fresno State, including finance at the MBA level. Touradj loves learning and has passed the CPA, CMA, and CFP exams. He also obtained a Series 7 securities license, an insurance license, and a real estate broker’s license (currently not active). Touradj is active in the East Fresno Kiwanis Club and is an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Fresno.

Portfolio Manager

Neil has nearly 10 years of experience in community banking. Before joining Bank of the Sierra, he was a Commercial Underwriter with Citizens Business Bank and Suncrest Bank. Neil currently supports our ag lending team in the Central Valley. He earned his bachelor’s degree with a concentration in finance from Fresno State. Neil is an outdoor enthusiast and spends most of his free time backpacking, hiking, and mountain biking.

Ag Market President

Mark leads our Central Coast ag team from our loan production office based in Templeton. He has over 30 years of experience in ag lending and started his career on a cattle ranch. Before joining Bank of the Sierra, Mark was an Executive Vice President and Director of Agribusiness for Umpqua Bank.

VP, Sr. Ag Loan Officer

Bio Coming Soon.

VP, Agriculture Lender

Katie is from a local cattle and ranching family and has over 15 years of experience with ag lending. She previously worked for Umpqua Bank as a Senior Relationship Manager and Senior Commercial Underwriter and started with Wells Fargo as a Credit Analyst. Katie graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Cattle Women’s Association, California Women for Agriculture, and Creston 4-H Beef Group.

Ag Loan Officer

Bio Coming Soon.

Sr. Ag Credit Assistant

Bio Coming Soon.