2023-2024 NEVADA BANKERS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BJ North, Executive Vice President & Chief Banking Officer of Plumas Bank as one of 2019’s Sierra Nevada Powerful Matriarchs. Joining Plumas Bank in 2008, BJ oversees its retail network, commercial loan group & marketing. BJ is a shining example of Plumas Bank’s motto: “Here. For Good”. Every waking moment BJ is making the world a better place, whether for the betterment of Plumas Bank; for a nonprofit such as the International Women’s Forum, American Heart Association-Northern Nevada, or the SPCA of Northern Nevada, or for a friend in need. Prior to Plumas bank, BJ was the Chief Advancement officer for Truckee Meadows Community College. BJ North is the recipient of The Jefferson Award, which honors community volunteerism. We look forward to honoring BJ tomorrow at the 2nd Annual Sierra Nevada 

Scott Johnson is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Valley Bank of Nevada. Possesses more than twenty-eight years of local financial institution experience. Scott worked for the national accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche, for several years and obtained his CPA license in the state of Nevada. He then worked for a number of Nevada credit unions, including the state of Nevada’s second largest credit union, Silver State Schools credit union. In addition to his accounting duties, Scott has been very involved in employee education and has twice been invited as a speaker at the national credit union convention. Scott has been employed by Valley Bank of Nevada since its inception and played a key role in its formation, designing its financial, information technology, operations, and human resources platforms. Scott graduated magna cum laude from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He recently completed a 3-year term as a member of the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees. He has also served on the University’s National Alumni Council and was the President of that organization from 2016 to 2019. 

David R. Navarro is a Las Vegas native born and raised. He currently works for Enterprise Bank & Trust as Nevada Regional President. David has spent the majority of his career in the field of commercial banking serving a diverse group of commercial banking clients in the Las Vegas area. He started his career at a regional bank and has since worked for some of the largest banks in the country. He has held several positions in banking ranging from credit analyst to Senior Vice President / Director of Commercial Banking prior to joining Enterprise Bank & Trust. He is a proud graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, holding his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the field of Accounting. David is also very involved in the banking industry and in his community. David has served or continues to serve in the following roles: President of the Risk Management Association’s Las Vegas Chapter; member of the Risk Management Association’s Academic Committee, which helps universities nationwide develop curriculum for the field of commercial banking; former American Bankers Association’s Emerging Leaders Council member; serves as an advisory board member for UNLV’s Commercial Banking Program; and serves on the UNLV Alumni Association’s Board of Directors as Treasurer. In the past, David has also been involved with the following organizations: Vegas Young Professionals, Toastmasters International, and Junior Achievement. Outside of work, David spends most of his time with his wife, Marvelyn, and their two children, Mia Isabella, and Christian Alexander. In his spare time, his hobbies include working out, running, volunteering, traveling, going to concerts, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.  

Ivan Ferraz Market Executive — Head of Nevada Commercial Banking, Southwest Division Wells Fargo & Company based in Las Vegas, he leads a team of bankers in Reno and Las Vegas focused on middle market and large corporate companies, both privately held and publicly traded, across a wide variety of industries. He has 25 years of commercial banking experience, 19 years with Wells Fargo. Before his current position, Ivan joined Wells Fargo Bank in early 2005 as a senior relationship manager in the Arizona Middle Market Banking office. Subsequent to that, in 2016, he was the West region trade services manager. In 2017, he was the investor real estate leader for the Southwest region, responsible for helping real estate investors succeed by providing innovative ideas and smart financial solutions. Ivan graduated from Universidade Estácio de Sá in Rio de Janeiro, with a bachelor’s degree in hotel management. In the U.S., he attended California State University, Los Angeles, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and international business. He went on to attend University of La Verne in California, where he graduated with an M.B.A. in finance and supply chain management. Ivan stays active in his community and is a board member of Nevada Bankers Association and Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. He is also a past board member of Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. A Brazilian national, Ivan moved to the U.S. in 1992 and gained dual citizenship in 2002. In addition to English, he is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese 

Hafen is the President CEO of Nevada Bank and Trust. A native Nevadan. He has worked with Nevada Bank and Trust since 2010. Prior to 2010 Hafen owned and operated an own consulting firm. He has served as a Lincoln County Commissioner, a trustee of Gover C. Dills Medical Center, and board member of various community organizations. Hafen was appointed the President and CEO of Nevada Bank and Trust in 2015. 

Kenneth Mundt is SVP / Senior Lender at Town & Country Bank. Mr. Mundt, who has over 26 years of experience in the Nevada banking industry, joined Town & Country Bank as SVP Senior Loan Officer in August 2019. While serving in the United States Military, Mundt rose in rank from Private to Lieutenant Colonel and deployed to Afghanistan from 2006-2007. Mundt stayed active in his local community as well by serving on the Board of Directors of the Nevada Bankers Association. He also managed the Nevada Opportunity Fund. Mr. Mundt graduated from the University of Utah and the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.

As the president of Las Vegas Market Executive, Global Commercial Banking

Bank of America, Al serves as the company’s enterprise leader in Las Vegas, working with company leaders across the market to help deliver Bank of America’s full range of global financial services. He also leads the Bank’s corporate social responsibility activities, including philanthropic giving, community development lending and investing, environmental initiatives, diversity efforts, arts and culture projects, and employee volunteerism. In addition to his responsibilities as Market President, Al is the Global Commercial Banking Market Executive for the Desert Mountain market, consisting of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah as well as the Company’s Commercial Gaming Business on a national basis. Welch is responsible for delivering the full breadth of the Bank’s products and advisory services to commercial companies (defined as public or private businesses with revenue of $50 million to $2 billion.) These services include credit and leasing, treasury and trade services, capital markets and investment banking, as well as investments and asset management. A native of Houston, Al was raised in Los Angeles, Houston and Melbourne, Australia. He earned Bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Marketing, and a Master of Finance degree from Texas A&M University. Al is a NASD Registered Principal with Series 7, 24 and 63 securities licenses. Al currently serves as a board member for Three Square and is a member of the UNLV College of Business Executive Advisory Board. Al also serves as an Executive sponsor of the Bank’s Native American Professionals Network and the Bank’s Nevada chapter of the Military Support and Advocacy Group. Al resides in Henderson, Nevada with his wife. 

Executive Vice President, Northern Nevada Executive Nevada State Bank. As a seasoned banking professional with more than 30 years’ experience, Rick Thomas knows how to meet the needs of businesses in the unique northern Nevada market, and he is dedicated to providing Nevada State Bank’s clients with an exceptional level of service. Rick has worked with clients in many different corporate sectors, with special emphasis on gaming loans. His experience includes commercial finance, corporate banking and treasury management for businesses, and wealth management for individuals. He is confident that he can work together with you to provide a full range of financial services for you and your company.    

As a resident of northern Nevada for more than 36 years, Rick enjoys giving back to his community. He currently serves on the board of directors for WIN (Western Industrial Nevada). Whenever possible, he takes advantage of Nevada’s world-famous outdoor lifestyle, including camping, hiking, fishing, and motorcycle riding. He also enjoys traveling to other parts of the world. Rick’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Managerial Sciences and Finance from the University of Nevada, Reno. 

Mara McNeill is President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Financial Savings Bank (TFSB), responsible for all TFSB’s operations which provide a range of essential banking services to Toyota, Lexus, and private label dealers and consumers. Her leadership focuses on building high performance teams, development of strong governance practices, and a focus on growth through the delivery of positive consumer experiences.

Prior to her current position, McNeill served as TFS vice president, general counsel and secretary, overseeing the company’s legal department, enterprise compliance department, and government affairs function. In this role, she provided guidance and set the company’s legal and compliance strategies necessary to support TFS business objectives.

McNeill joined Toyota from JPMorgan Chase Bank, where she served as general counsel for Chase Auto Finance, which included a portfolio of retail auto loans and leases, as well as dealer commercial financing. She also served as member of the executive management committee advising on strategy, risk, governance, and operations.

From 2009 to 2011, McNeill was senior counsel for the Automotive Investment Financing Program for the Department of the Treasury, where she was responsible for the department’s $80 billon financing of General Motors, Chrysler, Ally Financial, and Chrysler Financial during the recession. She worked as part of a team of elite advisors to structure transactions intended to give these entities a “new lease on life” while exercising strong financial principles to get a full return of the government debt and equity investments.

Earlier in her career, McNeill served as an officer in the United States Air Force. During her assignment at the Pentagon, she was an analyst responsible for developing modernization and budget plans.

McNeill received her Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research from the United States Air Force Academy.

Bill Paredes serves as Managing Director of Commercial Banking for Bank of Nevada. Mr. Paredes is remarkably successful in leading the Southern Nevada Corporate Banking Team that serves companies throughout Southern Nevada, including gaming and hospitality venues, contractors, manufacturers, healthcare organizations as well as high-net-worth individuals.
 

Bill joined Bank of Nevada in 2000, and he has more than thirty (30) years of banking experience. Mr. Paredes also has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of North Texas.
 

Bill is a great supporter of the Las Vegas community. He is active in the community serving as Board Member and Treasurer for Goodwill of Southern Nevada and for Downtown Las Vegas Alliance. In addition, he serves as a Board Member for The Economic Club of Las Vegas.