The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) is proud to announce Ron Green, president and CEO of Oregon Pacific Bank, as the recipient of the 2024 Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award. This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional leadership and dedication to industry advocacy, a cornerstone of OBA’s mission to serve as the voice of Oregon banking.
Named after the late Frank E. Brawner, OBA’s CEO from 1977 to 1997, the award celebrates individuals who embody Brawner’s legacy as a fierce, effective, and passionate advocate for the banking industry. This year’s honoree, Ron Green, exemplifies these qualities and stands as a champion for Oregon’s banking community.
Green’s commitment to advocacy has been evident in his willingness to engage with legislators, testify before committees, and lead on critical issues impacting Oregon banks and businesses. Most notably, he played a pivotal role in opposing Measure 118, a gross receipts tax proposal overwhelmingly rejected by voters. Under his leadership, Oregon Pacific Bank was the first financial institution to publicly support the No on Measure 118 campaign, setting an example for others to follow.
“Ron’s advocacy leadership is inspiring,” said OBA’s Senior Vice President and Government Affairs Director Kevin Christiansen. “He leans in when it matters most, ensuring the voices of Oregon’s banking community are heard loud and clear. His courage and dedication make him a worthy recipient of this year’s Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award.”
The Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award, established in 2015, honors bankers who demonstrate extraordinary support for OBA’s advocacy efforts and a deep commitment to protecting the industry’s future. Green joins a distinguished list of past recipients, reinforcing his standing as a leader and advocate for Oregon banking.
The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) is proud to announce the induction of S. Randolph (Randy) Compton, former president, CEO, and board chairman of Pioneer Trust Bank in Salem, into the Oregon Bankers Hall of Fame. This prestigious recognition honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Oregon banking industry, their communities, and the association.
With a remarkable 49-year career in banking—47 of which were at Pioneer Trust Bank—Compton has left an indelible mark on the Oregon banking community. As a third-generation leader of the family-owned bank, Compton played a pivotal role in preserving the legacy of Pioneer Trust Bank, which traces its roots to 1924. Under his leadership, the bank grew as a trusted institution and became an enduring symbol of independent community banking in Oregon.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Compton has been deeply engaged in the Salem community and the broader banking industry. His leadership includes service on the board of the Community Banks of Oregon and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, for which he served over a decade. The list of organizations and causes he has supported are too numerous to list, but of note, Compton dedicated over two decades to the Oregon Law Foundation, earning accolades such as the Oregon State Bar President’s Public Leadership Award in 2018 and the Campaign for Equal Justice’s Henry H. Hewitt Access to Justice Award in 2024 for his unwavering support of legal aid and access to justice.
“My dad’s time and talent have been his greatest treasures,” said Brad Compton, current president of Pioneer Trust Bank and Randy’s son. “He poured himself into developing his team, serving his clients, and building meaningful connections while never missing out on anything going on with our family. A true relationship banker, he thrived in helping others succeed and made a lasting impact on our community. His legacy of servant leadership and treating others with dignity and respect is one we’re proud to continue.”
The Oregon Bankers Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed peer-to-peer within the Oregon banking community. It is reserved for individuals whose contributions have profoundly shaped Oregon’s banking industry, the OBA, and the communities in which they live and work. Randy Compton joins a distinguished group of 84 banking leaders inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1987.
The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA) in partnership with Oregon Business Magazine, has announced that Mark Utti of Seaside, Oregon is the recipient of the 2024 Community Applause Award. The Community Applause Award, which is given to an Oregon business in acknowledgment of their significant service and contributions to their community, was presented to Utti during a banking industry event held on Dec. 9 in Eugene.
Founded in 1996, the Community Applause Award is a competition in which banks doing business in Oregon nominate a business customer that gives back to their community in significant ways. An independent panel of judges carefully reviews each nomination and votes on the winner. Since the award’s inception, 47 Oregon businesses have been recognized, including this year’s honoree.
Utti is a dynamic entrepreneur from Oregon’s northern coast who exemplifies the transformative power of curiosity and opportunity. Raised in Astoria, Utti was inspired by his father, Tom, a self-made businessman who taught him to see potential where others saw challenges. Today, Utti channels that same "What if?" mindset into leading 12 thriving businesses across industries like hospitality, entertainment, property development, and retail, all while contributing to the vibrant growth of his community. Tourists to Seaside will recognize many of Utti’s enterprises, which include Fascination Roll’em!, Finns Fish House, Funland, Fultano’s Pizza Bowl, Fultano’s Pizza, Oceans Vending & Amusements, Pacific North Catering, Pacific North Event & Tent Rentals, Phillips Candies of Seaside, Sisu Brewing Co., The Beacon on Broadway Event Space and Twisted Fish Steakhouse.
Utti’s impact extends far beyond his businesses. He employs close to 300 people year-round, taking time to personally support their milestones, like graduations and 4H events. His philanthropic efforts include offering a full-ride scholarship to Clatsop Community College, funding youth sports through Seaside Kids, and donating to causes important to his employees. His commitment is quiet but profound, ensuring that his community prospers alongside his ventures.
Utti’s optimistic vision for Seaside and Clatsop County drives his work in housing and property development, and his partnership with Lewis & Clark Bank underscores his values of efficiency and simplicity in business. Inspired by his father’s enduring curiosity, Utti continues to ask “What if?”—turning possibilities into realities that benefit his businesses, employees, and the community he cherishes.
Mark Utti was nominated for the Community Applause Award by Jack Ficken, relationship manager at the Astoria branch of Lewis & Clark Bank. In his nomination, Ficken stated, "Mark Utti reflects the best of our community. Born and raised in Clatsop County, he deeply understands what matters most to the people who live here. Whether supporting schools, 4H, the Chamber, or the Seaside community, Mark is always the first to step up, offering unwavering dedication and making a lasting impact. That’s why I proudly nominated him for the Community Applause Award."
As part of the award, OBA provided Utti with a $1,000 check payable to Seaside High School in his honor. Utti is matching the $1,000 donation to form a college or vocational scholarship for the school’s students. He has committed to continuing the $2,000 scholarship into perpetuity. The OBA also produced a video (viewable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK5JrYR-X64) about Utti, his businesses and the work he has done to uplift the Seaside community.
The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA), Oregon's only trade association dedicated to the banking industry and its customers, along with the Community Banks of Oregon (CBO) and the OBA Education Foundation (“Foundation”), elected its board officers and directors during a joint annual meeting held Dec. 10.
New OBA officers and directors include:
- Chair: Ryan Dempster, President & Chief Executive Officer, Willamette Valley Bank
- Chair-Elect: R. Shane Correa, SVP – Retail Strategy & Market Development, Banner Bank
- Secretary-Treasurer: Joshua Lyons, Market President – Oregon & SW Washington, KeyBank
- Immediate Past Chair: Ted Austin, SVP & National Director of Trust Administration, U.S. Bank
New OBA directors include:
- Director: Gary L. Haines, Regional President – Northern Oregon, WaFd Bank
- Director: Nicole Sherman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Riverview Bank
During his one-year term as chair of OBA, Dempster will also have an ex-officio seat on the CBO board.
In addition to the newly elected officers and directors, the OBA membership re-elected the following directors to new three-year terms:
- R. Shane Correa, SVP – Retail Strategy & Market Development, Banner Bank
- Jeff Lang, Executive Director – Banking, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Joshua Lyons, Market President – Oregon & SW Washington, KeyBank
These new and re-elected directors join the following individuals currently serving terms on the OBA board:
- Jeff Bailey, President & Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Eastern Oregon
- Tracy Curtis, EVP & Region Bank Director – Oregon & SW Washington, Wells Fargo
- Jeff Deuel, Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Financial
- Ron Green, President & Chief Executive Officer, Oregon Pacific Bank
- Denise Portmann, President & Chief Executive Officer, Bank of the Pacific
- Jason Wessling, President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific West Bank
- Ex-Officio Officer and CBO Chair: Kate Salyers, EVP & Chief Credit Officer, Citizens Bank
- Ex-Officio Officer and Synergy by Association Chair: Trey Maust, Executive Chairman, Lewis & Clark Bank
Newly elected OBA Education Foundation director:
- Linda W. Navarro, Director, Citizens Bank
Re-elected Foundation officers and directors:
- Chair: Richard E. Brown, Retired, Bank of America
- Vice-Chair: John Hancock, Retired CPA
- Secretary-Treasurer: Scott Bruun, President & Chief Executive Officer, OBA
- Director: Lisa Fajardo Faust, EVP & Chief Banking Officer, Pacific West Bank
These elected officers and directors join the following individuals currently serving terms on the Foundation board:
- Stuart B. Allen, Chief Executive Officer, Allen Trust Company
- Elise Bouneff, SVP & Relationship Banking Officer, Heritage Bank
- Neil T. McLaughlin, EVP & Treasurer, Umpqua Bank
- Joan Reukauf, President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Coast Banking School
- Becky Tymchuk, Board Member, Northwest Regional ESD
“Oregon’s banking industry is fortunate to have such dedicated leaders guiding the OBA and its affiliates,” said OBA President and CEO Scott Bruun. “We warmly welcome our newly elected board officers and directors, whose expertise and commitment will strengthen our advocacy and support for Oregon banks. I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to Ted Austin for his outstanding chairmanship during the recent OBA CEO transition. His steady leadership has been invaluable during this period of change.”
About the Oregon Bankers Association
Established in 1905, the Oregon Bankers Association is a full-service trade association with a membership that includes state and national commercial banks, savings banks and trust companies doing business in Oregon. The mission of the OBA is to be the voice of Oregon banking.
The Oregon Bankers Association serves a dynamic, innovative and community-minded industry. The competitive nature of banking gives Oregonians and Oregon businesses a wide variety of choices for their financial services. In our collective endeavors, the Oregon Bankers Association and its members strive to ensure that Oregon remains a great place to do business and a great place to do banking. To learn more, visit www.oregonbankers.com.