Farmers & Merchants Bank Salutes Local Heroism, Longevity with Inaugural Recognition Event: 'People You Can Bank On' Honors Long Beach and South Bay Community Leaders
Farmers & Merchants Bank (F&M) recently honored 11 Long Beach and South Bay community leaders at its inaugural People You Can Bank On breakfast.
TUSTIN, CA, August 31, 2011
Continuing its century-old tradition of service and recognition, Farmers & Merchants Bank (F&M) recently honored 11 Long Beach and South Bay community leaders at its inaugural People You Can Bank On breakfast. The Aug. 25 event paid tribute to individuals from various walks of life that have had a notable impact on their community, profession and country."Throughout our 104 years in the banking business, F&M has been privileged to engage with countless individuals who share our core values of service, integrity and reliability," said F&M Bank CEO W. Henry Walker. "These visionary leaders have shaped the very landscape of the region, so F&M decided to create an annual program to recognize the efforts of those who embody our own longstanding approach to business."
The honorees were selected by local F&M branch managers and hail from communities throughout Long Beach and the South Bay. Each was recognized for his/her influential leadership and longstanding mission to make a positive impact on society. The 2011 honorees included:
• Mark Schneider (Main Office), the award-winning owner of Dave Schneider Jewelry whose family has designed beautiful jewelry for the Long Beach community since the 1920s.
• Thomas J. Rhoads (Main Office), a Cal State Long Beach professor who has made significant contributions by helping young Hispanic business students become tomorrow's leaders.
• Rod Wilson (East Long Beach Branch), an award-winning public relations agency owner and president of the East Anaheim Street Business Alliance, a group promoting the growth of the business district.
• Dr. Myrvin Ellestad (Long Beach Memorial Branch), the former Long Beach Memorial Hospital Chief of Cardiology, founder of MemorialCare's cardiology program and author of 185 research papers and six textbooks.
• Cindy Atkinson (Belmont Shore Branch), owner of the iconic Coffee Cup Cafe and co-founder of Cranium Crusaders, an organization dedicated to fighting brain cancer.
• Blair Cohn (Bixby Knolls Branch), an organizer of numerous local charity events and executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association.
• Wayne Piercy (Lakewood Branch), the former mayor of Lakewood, former principal of Long Beach Poly High School, dedicated Rotarian and tireless community volunteer.
• Peter D. Pettler (Torrance Branch), a local attorney, former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and dedicated Rotarian.
• George M. Murchison (Los Altos Branch), the former Port of Long Beach harbor commissioner, founder of two charitable foundations and volunteer for countless arts, youth and infrastructure programs.
• Kevin McDonald (Artesia Branch), CEO of The Arc, where he has dedicated his life's work to providing support and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Richard Blade (Rolling Hills Estates Branch), owner of six local McDonald's restaurants and board member for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times , which helps young cancer patients and their family members participate in a fun and inspiring camp experience.
"Our honorees are men and women from different backgrounds and professions united by an unyielding commitment to goodwill and progress," said F&M Bank Chairman of the Board and President Daniel K. Walker. "People You Can Bank On showcases the diversity, dynamism and passion that make the Long Beach/South Bay region the thriving community it is today."
The exclusive event, held at the venerable Virginia Country Club in Long Beach, was attended by the F&M executive team, branch managers from the Long Beach and South Bay region, the honorees and their special guests.
About Farmers & Merchants Bank
Founded in Long Beach in 1907 by C.J. Walker, Farmers & Merchants Bank has 22 branches in L.A. and Orange counties. The Bank specializes in commercial and small business banking along with business loan programs. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach is a California state chartered bank with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Member FDIC) and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about F&M, please call the media contacts listed above or visit the website, http://www.fmb.com.