Founder of Summit Bank in Calif. Steps Down

By Joseph Kellard September 28, 2016, 4:26 p.m. EDT 1 Min Read

Summit Bank in Oakland, Calif., has its first new chief executive.

The $234 million-asset bank said in a recent press release that Thomas Duryea had succeeded its founder, Shirley Nelson.

Nelson, who had led the bank since 1979, became executive chairman.

Duryea previously served as president and CEO of the $518 million-asset Summit State Bank in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Duryea "brings a wealth of expertise in commercial banking and leadership," Nelson said in the release. "His successful track record of building one of the top community banks in the state, brand building and client development will serve us well as we chart our path forward."

Nelson began her banking career as a teller in Alaska, according to the San Francisco Business Times. She raised about $4 million from her banking clients to form Summit Bank.

Joseph Kellard

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