Columbia Bank Executive and Leadership Team

Benjamin Palma-Gil, the Chief Executive Officer at Columbia Bank, directs the overarching strategic vision for the institution. Palma-Gil architects long-term growth initiatives by aligning regional financial services with the evolving needs of local businesses and families. By prioritizing relationship-based banking, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that every client receives personalized guidance. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the board to maintain institutional stability across the Pacific Northwest. Benjamin Palma-Gil monitors market trends to refine the bank's competitive positioning within the finance sector. Through rigorous oversight of corporate governance, the Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence and maintains the integrity of the bank's mission. Palma-Gil fosters a culture of accountability, ensuring that all departments remain focused on delivering high-quality financial resources. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the future of the organization by balancing prudent risk management with innovative service expansion.

John Scaldara, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Columbia Bank, manages the daily execution of corporate strategy and organizational performance. Scaldara oversees the integration of banking products to ensure seamless delivery of financial solutions to diverse customer segments. As the President & Chief Executive Officer, Scaldara drives the expansion of regional market reach by identifying new opportunities for community engagement. This role requires constant interaction with executive leadership to synchronize departmental goals with the broader mission of financial security. John Scaldara evaluates performance metrics to optimize service delivery and enhance customer satisfaction. By streamlining internal processes, the President & Chief Executive Officer improves operational efficiency across all branches. Scaldara champions a customer-centric philosophy, ensuring that every interaction reflects the bank's commitment to personalized care. Through decisive leadership, the President & Chief Executive Officer strengthens the institution's reputation as a trusted partner for families and businesses seeking reliable financial support.

Stephen Gardner, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Columbia Bank, leads the board of directors while setting the high-level trajectory for the entire financial institution. Gardner architects the governance framework that supports sustainable growth and long-term value creation for stakeholders. As the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Gardner ensures that the bank's strategic objectives remain aligned with the core mission of providing personalized banking solutions. This leadership position involves navigating complex regulatory environments to maintain institutional resilience. Stephen Gardner fosters transparent communication between the board and executive management to ensure cohesive decision-making. By focusing on long-term stability, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer guides the organization through shifting economic landscapes. Gardner emphasizes the importance of community-focused banking, ensuring that the institution remains a pillar of financial support. Through strategic foresight, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer positions the bank to adapt to future challenges while maintaining a steadfast commitment to client success.

Robert Ekblad, the Chief Financial Officer at Columbia Bank, oversees the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Ekblad directs the financial planning and analysis functions to ensure the bank maintains a robust balance sheet. As the Chief Financial Officer, Ekblad manages the reporting processes that provide transparency to stakeholders and regulators. This role involves analyzing market data to support the bank's regional expansion efforts and investment decisions. Robert Ekblad collaborates with other executives to ensure that financial resources are effectively deployed to support customer-facing initiatives. By monitoring liquidity and risk, the Chief Financial Officer safeguards the institution against economic volatility. Ekblad implements rigorous internal controls to maintain operational efficiency and fiscal discipline. Through precise financial modeling, the Chief Financial Officer enables the bank to offer competitive banking solutions. Ultimately, Ekblad ensures that the financial foundation remains strong enough to support the long-term goals of every client served.

Staci Coburn, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Columbia Bank, manages the treasury operations and capital structure of the institution. Coburn directs the development of financial strategies that support the bank's regional lending activities and deposit growth. As the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Coburn oversees the budgeting process to ensure that departmental goals align with the bank's overall financial objectives. This role involves evaluating the profitability of various banking products to optimize the institution's portfolio. Staci Coburn works closely with the leadership team to assess the financial impact of new market opportunities. By maintaining strong relationships with investors and financial partners, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures access to necessary capital. Coburn implements advanced analytical tools to track performance and identify areas for cost reduction. Through diligent financial oversight, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the bank's commitment to providing secure and reliable financial solutions.

Ronald Nicolas, the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Columbia Bank, leads the long-term financial planning and risk management frameworks. Nicolas directs the strategic allocation of assets to ensure the bank remains well-positioned for sustainable growth. As the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nicolas oversees the regulatory compliance and financial reporting functions that underpin the bank's reputation. This role involves analyzing macroeconomic indicators to guide the institution's investment strategy. Ronald Nicolas collaborates with the board to ensure that financial policies support the bank's mission of personalized service. By managing the bank's capital reserves, the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer provides the stability required to weather economic cycles. Nicolas implements sophisticated risk assessment models to protect the institution's assets. Through expert financial leadership, the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ensures that the bank continues to provide secure and effective financial resources to its diverse client base.

Anders Giltvedt, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Columbia Bank, manages the financial performance of the bank's lending and credit divisions. Giltvedt directs the credit risk assessment processes to ensure that the bank's loan portfolio remains healthy and aligned with institutional standards. As the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Giltvedt oversees the financial analysis of new business opportunities to support regional expansion. This role involves working with the executive team to balance growth objectives with prudent risk management. Anders Giltvedt monitors the performance of various financial products to ensure they meet the needs of the bank's customers. By optimizing the cost of funds, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer improves the overall profitability of the institution. Giltvedt implements data-driven strategies to enhance financial decision-making across the organization. Through rigorous oversight, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the bank maintains the financial strength necessary to support the long-term goals of its clients.

Sibyl Malatras, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Columbia Bank, oversees the accounting and financial control functions that ensure the integrity of the bank's records. Malatras directs the preparation of financial statements and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements. As the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Malatras manages the internal audit processes to maintain high standards of fiscal accountability. This role involves coordinating with external auditors and regulatory bodies to ensure transparency. Sibyl Malatras provides the executive team with detailed financial insights that inform strategic planning and resource allocation. By streamlining the accounting operations, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer improves the speed and accuracy of financial reporting. Malatras monitors the bank's cash flow to ensure sufficient liquidity for daily operations. Through meticulous financial management, the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the bank's mission of providing secure and reliable banking solutions to the community.

Chris Merrywell, the Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President at Columbia Bank, directs the daily operational activities across all regional branches. Merrywell architects the service delivery models that ensure every customer receives consistent and personalized banking support. As the Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, Merrywell oversees the management of internal processes to maximize efficiency and reduce friction in the customer journey. This role involves coordinating between departments to ensure that operational workflows support the bank's strategic goals. Chris Merrywell monitors service quality metrics to maintain high standards of excellence in every interaction. By optimizing branch operations, the Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President enables the bank to scale its services effectively across the region. Merrywell fosters a culture of operational agility, allowing the institution to respond quickly to changing market demands. Through hands-on leadership, the Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President ensures that the bank remains a reliable partner for families and businesses.

Tyson Smith, the Chief Information Officer at Columbia Bank, architects the digital infrastructure that powers modern banking services. Smith directs the implementation of secure technology platforms to protect customer data and enhance the user experience. As the Chief Information Officer, Smith oversees the integration of innovative software solutions that streamline internal workflows and improve service delivery. This role involves managing the cybersecurity posture of the bank to ensure resilience against evolving digital threats. Tyson Smith collaborates with the executive team to align technological investments with the bank's broader mission of personalized financial support. By modernizing the digital banking suite, the Chief Information Officer enables customers to access resources with greater ease and efficiency. Smith monitors emerging trends in financial technology to keep the institution at the forefront of the industry. Through strategic technology management, the Chief Information Officer drives the digital transformation necessary to support the bank's growth and long-term security.