COMMENCEMENT BANK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- EVP
- Commencement As Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Brandi joined Commencement as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer in mid-2024 with 20 years of experience in banking and finance. As a Certified Public Accountant with a master's degree in accounting, Brandi has worked for a regional bank and large accounting firms and brings a wide range of skills to the Commencement management team. She is proficient in SEC filings, budgeting, financial forecasting, asset liability management, and data analytics. She is also a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School.
Ms. Duryea has been practicing law since 1978, primarily in the area of business, finance, and state regulatory matters. She has held a variety of upper management positions in state government, including Assistant Director of Licensing in charge of regulating securities, real estate, and professional licensing. She has served as a member of the governor's Securities Advisory Board and is a member of the advisory board to the Department of Financial Institutions.
In addition to her law practice, through 2010 Ms. Duryea was the owner of two women's clothing boutiques - Juicy Fruits in Olympia and Willow at University Village in Seattle. She has a BA and MSW (community organization) from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Seattle University. She has been a "Big Sister" and has served on the boards of the YMCA, the EDC, Olympia Symphony, Patrons of South Sound Cultural Arts, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, The Mayday Foundation, and Leadership Thurston County and has been active in a variety of organizations to promote gender and racial equity.
Job Titles:
- VP / Commercial Banking Officer
Dr. Owens is a practicing Gastroenterologist with Gastroenterology Associates in Olympia, WA, a division of Gastro Health. He serves as a managing partner for the practice. He currently holds Board Certifications in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Owens received his M.D. from the University of Washington in 2001. He then went on to complete his graduate doctorate work which included an internship from 2001-2002, followed by a residency in 2002-2004 at the University of Washington.
From 2005-2009, he completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology and Advanced Endoscopy at the University of California. He holds degrees in Economics and Chinese from Middlebury College. Dr. Owens supports numerous charitable organizations throughout Thurston County and the surrounding areas.
Job Titles:
- Founding Director
- Member of the Board
Mr. Zittel, a founding director, is a native of Tacoma, Washington. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound and spent the majority of his business career with the CPA firm Knight, Vale, and Gregory (1972-2005). During his tenure with the firm, his Federal taxation and business consulting expertise was utilized in working with high net worth individuals and closely-held businesses while managing the Tacoma Office.
At present, he is the owner and manager of Matman Wrestling Co, Inc. which is a manufacturer and distributor of wrestling team apparel and accessories. His civic and community activities have included: the Chamber of Commerce; the Tacoma Rotary #8; the Tacoma Country and Golf Club (President 2011); the Tacoma Club (President 2000), Tacoma Goodwill Board, and assistance with various charities.
Job Titles:
- SVP / Commercial Banking Team Leader
Jerald started with Commencement Bank in August 2013 with 22 years of experience with information technology, 16 of which are in banking. He currently serves on the Senior Management Team as the Chief Information Officer. Jerald holds an undergraduate degree from Utah Valley University and recently earned his master's in Cyber Security and Information Assurance.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board
Job Titles:
- Commercial Loan Officer
- SVP
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Ms. Lincoln-Hamilton, a director since 2007, has more than 40 years of broad experience in nonprofit management, corporate social responsibility, grantmaking, and development.
Ms. Lincoln led The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation as President and CEO from 2004 to 2015. At the Community Foundation, she was responsible for increasing the impact and focus of grant-making, while continuing to foster increased philanthropic giving in Pierce County. Ms. Lincoln held the positions of Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Director of Community Relations at Safeco Corporation.
While at Safeco, she focused on developing community relations strategies designed to increase neighborliness in urban communities by increasing neighborhood assets and bringing neighbors together around common interests. Ms. Lincoln previously held the positions of Executive Director for Hood River County United Way and Chief Operations Officer of the Seattle-King County Private Industry Council. Ms. Lincoln is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. She is recently retired from the Community Foundation and remains active in many community organizations. She resides in Port Ludlow.
Mr. Loo is a practicing attorney at the Tacoma law firm, Davies Pearson, PC, where he has been since 1996. His practice areas focus on business law and estate planning for business owners. He holds an education degree from the University of Lethbridge, a law degree from the University of Idaho, and a graduate tax law degree from the University of Florida. He is currently a member of the firm's executive management team and previously served as the firm's managing partner. In addition to involvement with the firm, Lamont has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees in our community.
Job Titles:
- VP / Retail Banking Team Leader
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Board
- President
- Commencement As President and Chief Operating Officer
Nigel L. English joined Commencement as President and Chief Operating Officer in 2022, following a longstanding position as commercial banking market president at Heritage Bank. With over 30 years' experience, Nigel has a proven track record in increasing market share for local banks and demonstrates strong leadership skills, which make him a key member of the Bank's Senior Management Team. Nigel is a graduate of Eastern Washington University, as well as Pacific Coast Banking School at University of Washington. Throughout his career, he has held positions in commercial, retail and consumer banking, and management. Nigel has always been active in the local community and currently serves as chair for Travel Tacoma Mt. Rainier Tourism and Sports, is a board member of The Tacoma Pierce County Economic Development Board and is finance chair of Bellarmine Preparatory School Board.
Rebecca has over 22 years of experience in banking with the last 13 at Commencement. She has worked in retail, commercial loans, and administration. She joined the Senior Management Team in 2019 as Human Resources Manager and oversees the marketing and training departments. She holds an associate professional of human resources certification, is a graduate of the WBA's Executive Development Program, and has earned her graduate-level Business of Banking and Executive Leadership certificates from the Pacific Coast Banking School. In addition, she is a member of the Washington Banker's Association's Human Resources Committee and serves as a board member for Safe Streets, a local non-profit in Tacoma.
Job Titles:
- AVP / Commercial Loan Officer
Mr. Rice has been developing residential real estate in the Thurston County market for 30 years. He is involved in land acquisition, planning, site development, home construction, and real estate sales. He has an ownership position in numerous corporations and LLCs that currently do business within the county.
Mr. Rice is involved in numerous activities in the community including the Olympia Master Builders, and Providence St. Peter Foundation (board member). He has served on the board of the Olympia Master Builders since 1999 and was formerly on the board of the Thurston Economic Development Council.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Officer
Job Titles:
- Founding Director
- Vice Chairman
Mr. Nixon is a founding director of Commencement Bank. For approximately 30 years he served the banking community in various capacities, including Senior Vice President and District Manager, Key Bank, Tacoma; Branch Manager and Regional Manager, Puget Sound National Bank. He is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Finance and graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Mr. Nixon also served as an Aviation Officer Candidate in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1968-1969.
In addition to his banking career, his current community involvement consists of the Foundation for Private Enterprise Education, d/b/a Washington Business Week (Past Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Company Advisor). He is also the Treasurer of his condominium association. His past community involvement includes Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club (member and past President, Board of Trustees); Franciscan Foundation (member, Board of Trustees); Highline Community College (member and past Chair, Board of Trustees); St. Francis Hospital (member, Board of Trustees); and Seattle Seafair Clowns (member).
Job Titles:
- VP, Tacoma Branch Manager