Executive Forum Archives

December 1, 2022

River City Bank’s Executive Forum Series Returns

River City Bank’s Executive Forum Series is back after a two-year hiatus!

With sponsors Bender Insurance Solutions, BFBA, LLP, and Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP, the event made its return to the historic Sutter Club to discuss “The Future of the Workplace: In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote – What really works?”

A distinguished group of business leaders and consultants weighed in on their experiences and what they have seen in the marketplace. The panel included Sacramento Metro Chamber‘s Amanda Blackwood, Craig Boyce of BFBA, and Aurora Vega of Lux Bus America. Along with moderator River City Bank’s President and CEO Steve Fleming, the group spoke on their company’s return-to-work policies and how their decisions affected culture, recruiting, and talent retention.

The networking event allowed attendees to make new business connections and catch up with a few familiar faces.

October 23, 2019

Executive Forum: How to Grow the Top Line

Close up of shaking hands of two business people

How do companies achieve high revenue growth in an ever-changing and competitive sales environment? How do you identify, recruit, and retain talented business development personnel? Should a company grow organically or through M&A? All these questions and more were addressed at River City Bank’s most recent Executive Forum.

Our fantastic panel of experts comprised of Shannon Deary-Bell, President & CEO of Nor-Cal Beverage Co., Inc., Don Clark, President of Business Development & Owner of Clark Pacific, and Justin Horner, Director at DCA Partners, shared experiences from their high growth companies and business development best practices. The panel discussed innovative approaches they have taken to keep up with the rapid evolutions of their industries, including developing their own recruiting and retention strategies.

River City Bank’s Executive Forum series is an exclusive program designed for C-level Executives to network, learn, and collaborate in a confidential setting. Executive Forum events are supported by Bender Insurance Solutions, BFBA, Boutin Jones Inc., DCA Partners, Genovese Burford & Brothers, GNT Solutions, and River City Bank.

Justin Horner of DCA Capital Partners, Josh Michael of GNT solutions, and Craig Hettrich of The Hettrich Group

Shannon Deary-Bell, President & CEO of Nor-Cal Beverage Co., with River City Bank’s Charice Huntley and Carol Burger of Burger Rehabilitation

GNT Solutions Eric Johnson with Davis Reis of Capitol Valley Electric, and Don Clark of Clark Pacific

December 20, 2018

Executive Forum Series: Retirement Planning

Retirement can mean different things to different people. Planning for it is always top of mind during your career, but once you’re in the thick of it, the emotional aspect of starting a new phase of your life kicks in. Retirement and retirement planning bring with them the reality of facing a different stage in your life, along with a barometer of your career and financial success. Even if we’re financially ready to retire, are we emotionally prepared for what follows?

At our latest Executive Forum, our esteemed panel spoke on the various stages of retirement and shared their experiences on how they navigated the identify-shift from CEO to former CEO. The group comprised of Roger Valine (former CEO of VSP Vision), Mike O’Brien (Former President and Publisher of Sacramento Magazine), Tom Kandris (CEO and Managing Director of PK1, Inc.), and Lon Burford (Founding Partner of Genovese Burford & Brothers).

Janette Moynier of River City Bank with Susan Savage of the Sacramento River Cats Organization, and Valerie Park of Park, Vaughan, Fleming & Dowler LLP

Alex Brown of BFBA, Jay Boatwright of Sequoia Pacific Builders, and David Sexton of River City Glass

Patty McElwain and Scott Kelly of Ascent Builders

Our distinguished panel: Lon Burford, Tom Kandris, Roger Valine, and Mike O’Brien with moderator, Steve Fleming of River City Bank

July 5, 2018

An Afternoon with Matina Kolokotronis

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River City Bank invited Sacramento Kings’ Matina Kolokotronis to speak at their recent Executive Forum. Kolokotronis is the Chief Operating Officer and the only woman in the NBA to hold the titles of both COO and President of Business Operations.

She acknowledged the importance of being a mentor, breaking barriers, and accepting the challenges that influence change. Addressing a roomful of Sacramento’s business leaders at the Sutter Club, Kolokotronis gave insight on the success of the Golden One Center and her 20-plus years with the Kings organization. She shared her story as a female executive in a predominantly male environment and the significance of blazing a path for the next generation.

She acknowledged mentors who inspired her to have work-life balance, where you can have a fulfilling career and raise a family. Kolokotronis also credited former NBA Commissioner, David J. Stern, on setting the tone at the highest level and for having the vision to be an inclusive organization.

Paul McClure of Runyon Saltzman and Iain Mickle of Boutin Jones

Sacramento Kings COO, Matina Kolokotronis, and SVP of Communications, Joelle Terry

Erika Avanova and Linda Bergaus of Life Assist with Janette Moynier of River City Bank, Carolyn Lewis of The Lewis Group Inc., and Valerie Park of Nathan Property Management.

Eric Johnson of GNT Solutions, Mike Newell of HP Hood LLC, and Yasmin Seyal of EvinceMed Corp.

June 1, 2017

Mitigating Risks and Improving Internal Controls

Close up of person using magnifying glass while highlighting in book

At its latest business seminar, River City Bank broached the subject of internal fraud as it relates to awareness and prevention techniques. Utilizing the expertise of EisnerAmper’s Jolene Fraser and John Barrett, the event provided key insight on the rise of internal fraud and shared stories of past cases. Fraser and Barrett discussed various methods for strengthening internal controls to help mitigate fraud risk. They examined greed, financial pressures, or employee disenfranchisement as possible motives for committing financial fraud.

No matter the size, fraud can plague all types of businesses. For most companies, employees can be its biggest asset as well as its greatest risk. Fraser and Barrett agreed that more often than not, it’s the longtime employee, the one that never complains, that stays late and works weekends, who bears close watching. With the ever-changing business and regulatory environment, and the number and diversity of types of frauds being committed against companies, it is essential that internal controls be reviewed, evaluated, tested, and strengthened regularly.

EisnerAmper LLP is one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S., with nearly 1,300 employees and 180 partners across the country. They provide comprehensive audit, accounting, advisory, consulting, and tax services.