Columbia Bank has hired industry veteran and long-time Eugene market leader Jeff Singer as senior market president for Eugene, OR.

For the past 23 years, Singer held multiple positions at Umpqua Bank, including his most recent position as senior commercial relationship manager. He played a major role in Umpqua’s growth and success, including overseeing commercial credit exposure, managing deposit portfolios and leading a team of approximately 50 banking associates from Salem, OR to Northern California.

“Jeff will be a wonderful addition to our team, and his knowledge of Lane County will be a tremendous asset to our clients, employees, and community partners,” said Clint Stein, Columbia Bank executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Jeff brings a high level of integrity, a collaborative management style, authenticity and dedication that our clients have come to expect.”

Singer will occupy the position currently held by Denise Ghazal, Columbia Bank’s Greater Eugene regional manager, who will retire in early 2020. She has been responsible for commercial and retail banking teams in the Eugene and Springfield markets and will support Singer through the transition.

Tacoma, WA-based Columbia Banking System is the holding company of Columbia Bank, a Washington state-chartered full-service commercial bank with locations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho.