Wealth Management Team

Wealth Management Team

Everyone has their own definition of financial success. That means that you need a financial institution that works with you to reach your financial goals and your personal definition of financial well-being. Our Wealth Management team at Mechanics Bank offers you a rare combination: the personalized, flexible responsiveness of a local boutique-style investment firm with the seasoned, disciplined resourcefulness of a sophisticated financial enterprise. With decades of experience in helping individuals, trusts and estates, retirement plans, and nonprofit organizations manage their wealth, we have the flexibility and breadth of resources to meet your financial needs as you move through different life stages and wealth levels.  

No matter where you are on your road to financial success, our team of wealth management experts is ready to work with you to make your financial dreams come true.

Kelly Johnston, CTFA, CWS®

Executive Vice President, Director of Wealth Management

Office: 925.256.3033
kelly_johnston@mechanicsbank.com

Rejoining Mechanics Bank in July 2023, Kelly brings more than 28 years of experience in managing multigenerational family wealth, the administration of complex trusts and estates, and a host of family wealth services. In 2022, she was listed among the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business by the San Francisco Business Times, and has also received a Private Asset Management award for being among the Most Influential Women in Wealth Management. She is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) from the Institute of Certified Bankers and a Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) from Cannon Financial Institute. As well, she holds of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College and an MBA from Texas A&M University.

Mary Ann Abreu, CTFA

Vice President, Personal Trust Manager

Office: 925.256.3034
maryann_abreu@mechanicsbank.com

Mary Ann has more than 30 years of experience helping high-net-worth individuals, families and foundations manage their wealth. She holds the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) designation through the American Bankers Association. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA and a Paralegal Certificate from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA.

Michelle Anderson

Trust Officer

Office: 510.251.6111
michelle_anderson@mechanicsbank.com

Michelle began her career at Mechanics Bank in 1999 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry to the Mechanics Bank Wealth Management team. Michelle has completed the Cannon Financial Institute Personal Trust School at Pepperdine University and is an active member of the East Bay Estate Planning Council.

Ricardo Calderon, CFA

Vice President Portfolio Manager

Office: 805.879.9306
ricardo_calderon@mechanicsbank.com

Ricardo has more than two decades of experience in financial and investment management services, helping clients identify and pursue their financial goals and objectives. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, he held senior wealth-advisory and portfolio-management roles at other financial institutions. He holds Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As well, he is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and an active member of the CFA Society of Los Angeles and the Santa Barbara Investment Forum. Active in the Santa Barbara community, Ricardo serves on the Board of Trustees of Crane Country Day School and the Finance Committee of Dream Foundation.

Ronald Chaisson, CTFA

Vice President Senior Wealth Advisor

Office: 661.334.6909

With more than 20 years of experience in wealth planning and financial services, Ron oversees the management of personal trust, investment management and IRA accounts for high-net-worth individuals, and routinely collaborates with Mechanics Bank colleagues to ensure all strategies complement a client’s total wealth management plan. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Ron held senior-level trust positions other financial institutions. He holds a B.A. from Western New England College and is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA).

Lauren Goeppert

Senior Relationship Manager of Private Banking

Office: 415.249.8313
lauren_goeppert@mechanicsbank.com

With well over a decade of industry accomplishments, Lauren specializes in providing banking and lending guidance to legal professionals through various phases of their careers. A seasoned financial services expert who makes every client feel heard, she is a trusted resource for business lines of credit, home purchases, partner loan buy-ins, and other specialized banking and lending needs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.  

Alexandra Hagan

Assistant Vice President Portfolio Manager

Office: 805.269.7078
alexandra_hagan@mechanicsbank.com

Alexandra has more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a Trust Portfolio Associate, she develops investment strategies to meet the goals and objectives of trust and agency account clients. Alexandra received her BA in history from Lewis and Clark College. Prior to joining the bank, she worked in foreign exchange and corporate loan operations for international investment banks including Morgan Stanley and Barclays in Glasgow and London.

Ann Hamilton, CTFA

Senior Vice President, Director of Fiduciary Services

Office: 925.256.3039
ann_hamilton@mechanicsbank.com

A wealth management professional with more than 30 years of experience and specializing in trust and estates, Ann provides expertise in serving the complex financial needs of ultra-high-net-worth families, delivering trust, estate planning and philanthropic strategies tailored to each client’s unique circumstance. Ann is an experienced leader, coaching, developing and mentoring trust professionals to ensure consistently exceptional client service delivery. She is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA).

Hooman Hamzeh

Senior Relationship Manager

Office: 925.256.3023
hooman_hamzeh@mechanicsbank.com

With over 20 years of private banking and residential lending experience, Hooman is committed to providing his clients with exceptional service and customized financial solutions. This commitment is evidenced through a consistent approach to his business including personalized service, quick decision making, and an unwavering desire to exceed client expectations. Hooman attended San Diego State University, where he received his B.S. in Business Administration.

James D. Hauer, JD, CTFA

Vice President, Senior Trust Officer

Office: 510.559.2630
james_hauer@mechanicsbank.com

Prior to joining Mechanics Bank in 2007, James spent 10 years in legal private practice, which gave him a broader understanding of his clients’ comprehensive estate planning goals. James received his BA in Classical Rhetoric and Speech Communication from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and a JD with an emphasis in Estate Planning and Taxation from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane. James is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) through the American Bankers Association.

Hamilton Kipp

Senior Vice President, Director of Real Estate and Unique Assets

Office: 415.962.5837
hamilton_kipp@mechanicsbank.com

For more than two decades, Hamilton has specialized in managing and creating customized strategies that address the complexities of real estate and other unique, non-liquid asset classes. His fiduciary services include, but are not limited to, acquisitions, dispositions, asset management, leasing, construction management, and property management. He holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Economics, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics (with honors) from U.C. Santa Cruz.

Cynthia Lemus

Senior Trust Officer

Office: 650.313.4302
cynthia_lemus@mechanicsbank.com

A licensed attorney, Cynthia has approximately 20 years of experience in addressing her clients’ highly personalized needs in the administration of a variety of trusts. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, she worked as a trust officer with other local corporate fiduciaries and was a practicing estate planning attorney. She belongs to and is Past President of the Peninsula Estate Planning Council, and is an active member of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of San Mateo County Bar Association. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University and a Juris Doctor degree from Golden Gate University School of Law. As well, she is a graduate of Cannon Financial Institute Personal Trust School hosted by Pepperdine University.

Joseph F. McDonough, CIMA®

Senior Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager

Office: 925.256.3052
joe_mcdonough@mechanicsbank.com

Passionate about creating and managing individual and institutional investment portfolios, Joe McDonough has more than 30 years of experience managing investment portfolios and advising high-net-worth clients. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Joe worked as a separate account Portfolio Manager for BlackRock Private Investors, using individual stocks and bonds as well as mutual funds and ETFs. Joe has also served as a Portfolio Manager with Merrill Lynch Trust Company. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from San Diego State University, and an MBA from Golden Gate University. 

Todd McGinley, CFA

Senior Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager

Office: 805.879.9311
todd_mcginley@mechanicsbank.com

Todd has more than 31 years of experience managing portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and families. Todd received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Pomona College in Claremont. He received an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and was awarded a Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1996.

Sommer McKinley, CFP®, AIF®

Senior Vice President, Senior Director of Investment Management Services

Office: 415.962.5838
sommer_mckinley@mechanicsbank.com

Over the course of nearly 20 years, Sommer has utilized her wealth management and financial planning insights to provide a wide range of strategic investment strategies and trust services for high-net-worth individuals and nonprofit organizations. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®). She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami, and a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning from the University of California at Berkeley.

Katrina Minas

Senior Associate, Real Estate and Unique Assets

Office: 415.962.5835
katrina_minas@mechanicsbank.com

Katrina brings a strong financial background with substantial experience in addressing complex real estate matters including property taxes, insurance, annual inspections and appraisals, and leasing services. She has more than a decade of experience in insurance, banking, trust, investment and real estate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management of Financial Institutions from De La Salle University, Manila.

Sheryl Ocampo

Trust Officer

Office: 415.249.0344
sheryl_ocampo@mechanicsbank.com

Returning to Mechanics Bank in September 2023, Sheryl has more than two decades of experience in the banking, trust and wealth management industry. She has a history of assisting clients with highly personalized trust administration needs, including various trusts, estates and agency relationships. She is a graduate of Cannon Financial Institute Personal Trust School hosted by Pepperdine University, and holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Paul University, Manila.

Anna Paiva

Senior Trust Officer

Office: 650.313.4311
anna_paiva@mechanicsbank.com

Anna brings more than three decades of providing clients with a wide range of highly personalized trust management services, including administration of a variety of complex trusts, estates and agency relationships. She enjoys working with clients and partnering with their team of professionals to problem solve and assist with achieving their financial goals. This has cultivated the development of long-lasting personal relationships through generations of families. She is active in professional organizations, having served as past President of the Peninsula Estate Planning Council and the Financial Planning Forum, both comprised of local personal estate and financial planning professionals. The California native received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco, and is a graduate of Cannon Financial Institute’s Trust School.

Darren Peterie

Vice President, Private Banking Relationship Manager

Office: 707.603.1017
darren_peterie@mechanicsbank.com

For two decades in financial services, Darren has established a measureable record of consumer-lending accomplishments for his clients. Today, as a Private Banking Relationship Manager and holding a Nationwide Mortgage Lending License (NMLS), he marshals and coordinates resources from across the Bank to deliver customized solutions that meet his clients’ needs. He is active with the Carmel and Monterey Peninsula Chambers of Commerce, the World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area, and Creative Mornings Monterey Peninsula.

Bennie Quevedo-Burris, CTFA

Trust Officer

Office: 415.249.0305
bennie_quevedo-burris@mechanicsbank.com

Bennie brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry to the Mechanics Bank Wealth Management team. Bennie is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) through the American Bankers Association. She also completed the Cannon Financial Institute Personal Trust School. Bennie received a Bachelor of Science degree at St. Paul University with emphasis in Commerce and Business Administration.

Jennifer Russell, CTFA

Vice President, Senior Trust Officer

Office: 925.256.3031
jennifer_russell@mechanicsbank.com

Jennifer has over 30 years of experience in trust and estate administration. She joined Mechanics Bank in 1997 and manages a wide variety of complex accounts within the Wealth Management division. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Jennifer worked in several Bay Area Law firms as an estate planning paralegal, certified through California State University, East Bay's American Bar Association approved program. She holds a BA in Management and is also a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) through the American Bankers Association.

Sherria Tavares, CISP, CRPS®

Vice President, Employee Benefit Services & IRA Manager

Office: 925.256.3054
sherria_tavares@mechanicsbank.com

Sherria joined Mechanics Bank in 1983 and has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. As Employee Benefit and IRA Services Manager, she oversees the administration of Defined Benefit, 401(K), ESOP, and complex IRA accounts. She is recognized as a Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP) through the Institute of Certified Bankers and Chartered Certified Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS®) through the College of Financial Planning.

Paul Tozzi, Esq.

Vice President, Senior Trust Officer

Office: 805.879.9307
paul_tozzi@mechanicsbank.com

Paul is a 30-year trust and estate planning services veteran with extensive experience in the administration of large and complex trusts and estates. As an attorney, Paul also has vast legal expertise in trust, tax and estate planning, as well as a thorough knowledge of fiduciary law, and regulatory and compliance requirements. Paul received a Bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in Philadelphia, and Juris Doctor Degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. He also completed Cannon Financial Institute’s Personal Trust Graduate School at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

Dave Wissinger

SVP, Director of Investment Management Services, Senior Portfolio Manager

Office: 925.256.3057
david_wissinger@mechanicsbank.com

Dave has over 30 years of experience in managing wealth for individuals, families and businesses. As a senior investment manager, Dave draws on that experience to develop and implement investment strategies to meet the needs of the bank’s high-net-worth clients. Dave earned his BA in history and an MBA with concentrations in accounting and taxation from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tracy Yeakle, CCIM

Vice President, Real Estate Asset Manager

Office: 415.962.5836
tracy_yeakle@mechanicsbank.com

With a strong professional background in diversified real estate, wealth management, and trust and estate-settlement services, Tracy has extensive experience managing and administering a comprehensive portfolio of commercial, retail, multifamily and residential assets. A leader in her field, she is highly active in CREW San Francisco (Commercial Real Estate Women), for which she currently serves as Chair of the Membership Committee. As well, she is a Certified Commercial Investment Member, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College.