Montecito Bank & Trust (MB&T) has promoted Heather Ames to executive vice president/chief people officer (EVP), from her prior role as senior vice president/director of human resources and organizational learning.
In her new role Ames will join the MB&T executive team, working alongside Janet Garufis, CEO/chairman; Bruce Stevens, EVP/CFO; Megan Orloff, EVP/chief strategy officer; Jeff Pittman, EVP/director of wealth management; and David Porter, EVP/chief credit officer.
Together, this group of community-minded, impact driven and customer service focused leaders now have over 170 years of experience in financial services, according to MB&T.
Overseeing the bank’s Organizational Learning and Human Resource departments throughout her more than 18 years at MB&T, Ames has played an integral role in helping to define and develop Montecito Bank & Trust’s culture, the bank said.
Ames has been instrumental in strategically managing organizational design and performance, realigning the bank’s compensation programs and building training programs to support the development of MB&T’s associates and emerging leaders.
“In addition to her bank leadership role Ames, who was born and raised in the Santa Ynez Valley, is a trusted partner to and advocate for a number of nonprofits across the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara,” the bank said.
Her board and various committee service includes Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Barbara County, Coastal Housing Partnership, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, and Standing Together to End Sexual Assault.
“As banks continue to navigate increasing regulatory complexity, digital transformation, and heightened competition for top talent, HR plays a critical role in shaping culture, managing risk, developing leadership pipelines, and fostering agility through organizational design and change management along with leading engagement initiatives. Heather is a shining example of what is possible at Montecito Bank & Trust,” Garufis said.
Regarding her new role, Ames said, “I feel honored and privileged to work alongside an executive team with such integrity and strong values.
“I began my journey with Montecito Bank & Trust over 18 years ago and have been fortunate to experience meaningful professional development and career growth opportunities that have led me to this role. I’m proud to be part of an organization that puts its people first.”
Montecito Bank & Trust is the oldest and largest locally owned community bank in the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Founded in 1975, MB&T celebrated its 50th anniversary on March 17, and operates 13 branch offices in Santa Maria, Solvang, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo and Westlake Village.
Montecito Bank & Trust has earned 30 Best Bank awards in the last 12 years, in addition to numerous accolades for Best Mortgage and Best Financial Services Company in Santa Barbara, Best Investment Company in Santa Ynez Valley, and the fourth Best Bank to Work For in the United States, American Banker Magazine said.