Community West Bancshares, parent company of Community West Bank, promoted Susan C. Thompson to serve as chief financial officer of the company and the bank, effective April 1, 2017.

Thompson has been with the bank for 10 of the last 16 years, and has served as controller for the past four years.

Thompson was senior vice president and controller/principal accounting officer of Western Alliance Bancorporation from November 2009 to June 2013 and senior vice president and controller at Pacific Capital Bancorporation from June 2007 to October 2009. Prior to that, Thompson served as chief financial officer of Alliance Manufacturing Software International and was a senior auditor with Deloitte and Touche in its financial services practice.

“This promotion is part of the company’s strategic plan for management succession,” said Martin E. Plourd, president and chief executive officer. “In addition to her extensive banking experience, Susan’s commitment to customers, employees and the community match our values and approach to doing business.”

Charles G. Baltuskonis will serve as chief administrative officer of the bank until he retires, as previously announced, in July 2017. Baltuskonis will assist in transitioning the CFO responsibilities to Thompson for both the company and the bank until his retirement.

Community West Bancshares is a financial services company with headquarters in Goleta, CA. The company is the holding company for Community West Bank, which has seven full-service California branch banking offices, in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Oxnard and Westlake Village. Community West Bank has over $700 million in assets.