Executive Management Team

Our leaders bring diverse backgrounds and experience and work together to deliver for our clients through strategic growth and a culture of accountability built on values, teamwork and managing risk well.

John Decero | Chief Executive Officer

John DeCero has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Mechanics Bank since October 2016. With more than 29 years of banking experience, he started California Republic Bank in 2007 and grew it to over $2.2 billion in assets and an additional $3.1 billion in auto loans. John’s long career in banking has also included time with Western Financial Bank, Comerica Bank and Citicorp. He was born and raised in Chicago and graduated with honors from Augustana College with a degree in Management and Finance.

Rauly Butler | Director of Retail Banking

Raulin (“Rauly”) Butler has been Executive Vice President, Director of Retail Banking, at Mechanics Bank since January 2014. He joined the Bank in 1996 after heading the Berkeley Main office of Wells Fargo. Rauly is a San Francisco State University graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration. He also graduated from the ABA-Stonier Graduate School of Banking in Philadelphia, PA and the BAI Graduate School of Retail Banking in Madison, WI, and holds a Wharton Leadership certificate.

Nathan Duda | Chief Financial Officer

Nathan Duda has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mechanics Bank since June 2016 and is also a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Nathan was Chief Accounting Officer and Executive Vice President, Finance at Banc of California. He has also held senior positions at Union Bank, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, OneWest Bank and Affinity Bank. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics and is also a licensed CPA.

Scott Givans | Chief Credit Officer

Scott Givans was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, at Mechanics Bank in May 2015. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Scott served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Chico, and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.

Tony Kallingal | Chief Banking Officer

Tony Kallingal was appointed Chief Banking Officer in January 2021. He previously served as the Head of Business Banking. Tony is an accomplished retail and commercial banking executive with more than 20 years of combined experience in branch strategy, commercial banking, treasury management and small-business banking. Active in his community, he serves on a number of non-profit boards. He holds an undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

Bill Katafias | Chief Executive Officer/CRB Auto

Bill Katafias has been Chief Executive Officer of Mechanics Bank Auto Finance (formerly CRB Auto), since May 2017 and is also a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Bill worked for Wells Fargo Dealer Services for over 23 years. His past experience also includes the Ford Motor Credit Company/Ford New Holland Credit. He holds a M.B.A. from the University of Portland and a B.A. from Portland State University.

Deberah B. Kelley | Director of Wealth Management

Deberah Kelly has been Executive Vice President, Director of Wealth Management at Mechanics Bank since January 2014 and is also a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Before joining Mechanics Bank, she led the Personal Trust team at Exchange Bank, serving as the Senior Fiduciary Officer in the Trust & Investment Management division. Her more than 20 years in finance have also included serving as an import/export controller and working at a small CPA firm. Deberah earned a B.S. in Accounting from California State University, Chico, a Masters Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, and holds CFP and Accredited Estate Planner designations. She graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School in 2008.

Saqib Kheiri | Chief Risk Officer

Saqib Kheiri is Chief Risk Officer for Mechanics Bank. He is responsible for enterprise risk management, including credit risk management and retail underwriting. Saqib was also Chief Risk Officer for Rabobank, N.A. Prior roles include leader of the Specialty Finance Division at Rabobank, N.A., Founder and Managing Director of Adamas Investments. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University.

David Louis | Director of Marketing and Communications

David Louis serves as Director of Marketing and Communication for Mechanics Bank. He is a strategic, results-driven marketing professional with more than 25 years of experience in the development and execution of integrated brand and marketing programs. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, David worked on both the client and agency side of Marketing where he developed and managed marketing programs and introduced a strategic planning process for numerous clients. David earned a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Doug Lutz | Chief Commercial Banking Officer

Doug Lutz was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer at Mechanics Bank in October 2016 and is also a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Doug previously served as Executive Vice President, Director of Bank Operations. He has over 30 years of banking experience, including 25 years in Loan Service management, and six years in Loan Production/Credit Management. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, he held positions with Citibank, Indymac Bank, California Mortgage and Realty, and Alliant Capital LLC, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBB&T) and Union Bank.

Chris Pierce | Chief Operating Officer

Chris Pierce was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at Mechanics Bank in December 2019. He joined the Bank in 2016 in the role of Chief Administrative Officer. Chris has over 25 years of banking experience, beginning his career as a consultant for a regional consulting firm specializing in core data processing conversions and bank migrations, where he completed more than 140 data processing conversions/mergers. Previously, he has held positions with California Republic Bank, Western Financial Bank and Wachovia Bank.

Brett Reid | Chief Human Resources Officer

Brett Reid is Chief Human Resources Officer for Mechanics Bank. He directs all HR functions including Talent Acquisition, Training and Professional Development, HR Advisory Services, and Compensation. Brett joined Mechanics Bank through the acquisition of Rabobank, N.A., where he was also Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior positions held include General Manager of Human Resources for Rabobank Australia & New Zealand, and HR leadership roles for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). He holds a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and a bachelor’s degree in Personnel & Industrial Relations from Charles Sturt University.

Kristie Shields | Chief Compliance Counsel

Kristie Shields was appointed Executive Vice President, Compliance Counsel and Risk Officer at Mechanics Bank after the October 2016 merger with California Republic Bank. Kristie joined California Republic Bank in 2011 and built the successful compliance program, including the Bank’s indirect auto compliance program, a division that is currently operating in multiple states and enjoys high level audit and exam results. She is a veteran banker with 27 years of California community banking experience and was with Wedbush Bank prior to joining California Republic Bank. Kristie is a member of the California State Bar, graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Irvine and received her J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles.

Glenn Shrader | General Counsel

Glenn Shrader is currently Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Mechanics Bank. Glenn is a veteran attorney with 27 years of California banking experience. Prior to joining the Bank, he held senior positions with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Union Bank, California Federal Bank and Citibank. He began his career in private practice with the banking and financial services practice of Paul Hastings and later served as Counsel at Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato LC, a financial services law firm, based in San Jose and San Francisco. Glenn is a member of the California State Bar, graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and received his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Randal Stoller | Head of Mortgage Banking

Randal Stoller has been the Senior Vice President, Head of Mortgage Lending at Mechanics Bank since February 2016 and is a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining Mechanics Bank, Randal worked for Lehman Brothers, Salomon Brothers and Citibank Global Investment Bank. He was the co-founder and CIO of Falcon Bridge Capital, joint venture operating partner with The Carlyle Group, and Managing Principal of Stoller Consulting Services, LLC. He holds a B.S. in Finance from The McLaren College of Business at The University of San Francisco and has done postgraduate work in Finance and Options Theory at The University of California at Berkeley.