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

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 Financial 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 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.

Phil Donnici

Managing Director of Private Banking

Office: 415.962.5832
Phillip_Donnici@MechanicsBank.com

Phil works extensively with entrepreneurial and established clients across a number of industries including legal, financial services, technology and real estate. Keen on adapting to changing circumstances, and staying ahead of industry and market trends, his vast experience and knowledge have helped scores of individuals and organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve their goals. He holds an MBA and Master of Science in Finance degrees from Boston College Carroll School of Management, and Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce Finance from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business.

Cheryl Fong

Special Assets Officer

Office: 415.249.0333
Cheryl_Fong@mechanicsbank.com

Cheryl is a Special Assets Officer in the Special Assets Group within Mechanics Bank’s Wealth Management Division. Cheryl began her career at Mechanics Bank in 2013 and she specializes in the management of fiduciary owned real estate. Cheryl studied Business Management at Golden Gate University and is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management. Cheryl is currently in the process of obtaining the Certified Property Manager designation.

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 the refinancing of student loans, home purchases, partner loan buy-ins and other specialized needs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Alexandra Hagan

Trust Portfolio Associate

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.

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.

Joseph F. McDonough, CIMA®

Senior Vice President, 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

Vice President, Senior Investment 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.

Darren Peterie

Vice President, Private Banking Relationship Manager

Office: 707.603.1017
Darren_Peterie@mechanicsbank.com

Darren has more than 16 years of experience in the financial services industry. He built a solid consumer lending background in the Napa and Sonoma valleys and holds his Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) designation. As a Private Banking Relationship Manager, Darren marshals and coordinates the Bank’s resources to provide Wealth Management clients with customized banking solutions to meet their financial needs. Darren is a member of the Napa and Yountville Chambers of Commerce.

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

Senior Vice President, Senior Investment 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 Xaxier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.