James Kim with Central Valley Community Bank is The Business Journal's inaugural CEO of the Year. Photo by Melissa Sweeney Photography

More than 150 people gathered Thursday for the announcement of James J. Kim as The Business Journal’s inaugural CEO of the Year.

Kim was surprised with the honor during the annual Book of Lists party and networking event at Pardini’s in Fresno. He said he was thankful his passion and his work are the same thing, acknowledging his family and team at Central Valley Community Bank for their support.

“My team keeps me humble,” he said.

Taking the helm of one of the Valley’s top community banks in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kim has steered the bank through a whirlwind of events, including the banking crisis of 2023 that saw the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

At a time when consumers feared for the health of the banking system, Central Valley Community Bank emerged stronger and ready to face its largest adventure yet with an acquisition that will change the face of the institution.

 

For those reasons and more, James Kim has been selected as CEO of the Year, chosen by a team of Business Journal managers based on criteria including corporate performance, leadership and vision, competitiveness, innovation and community involvement.

Kim first worked in assurance services for Arthur Andersen, LLP, an international business firm in Sacramento. His education includes an MBA and BS in accountancy from California State University, Sacramento.

Prior to joining CVCB in 2018, Kim served in the positions of CEO, chief operations officer, chief fifinancial officer and controller for community banks in the Sacramento area, including Community 1st Bank, North Valley Bancorp, Calnet Business Bank and Feather River State Bank.

It is with another community bank, this one located in Santa Barbara, that Central Valley Community Bank is preparing to enter another era with a $99.4 million merger expected to close in Q2 of this year. As part of this merger, the new institution will be called Community West Bank and have $3.6 billion in total assets.

“Central Valley Community Bank has steadily and profitably grown for over 43 years, building a highly attractive franchise in California’s San Joaquin Valley and Greater Sacramento region,” stated Kim. “The complementary culture, client service model and Central Coast presence of Community West Bank further the opportunity for Company growth in well-recognized Central California communities, creating a combined franchise whose strength and size continue to serve clients and communities with integrity, offering enhanced professional employee development opportunities and greater earnings power for shareholders.”

“Uniting our two great organizations under the single name of Community West Bank brings our unique brand of relationship banking and experienced bankers to more communities in an expanded service area, with the strength of one of Central California’s largest community banks,” Kim added.