Our Directors

In early 2003, a vision of what is now called Sonoran Bank was first discussed. With invaluable advice and assistance from banking experts, as well as the Arizona Hispanic community, the dream took shape. Now we have gathered a board of directors rich in experience and expertise. Each of these talented, hard-working individuals has a success story to relate. And each of them has encountered and overcome the obstacles that so many entrepreneurs encounter along the way. These accomplished individuals welcome the opportunity to provide for others a vital element in the success of any small business - a bank that listens, cares and responds to the needs of the community it was created to serve. The mission of Sonoran Bank is to provide superior, personalized banking services tailored to the needs of the successful businesses and professional community.

Ricardo Torres - Chairman

Ricardo was the founder, President and Publisher/CEO of La Voz Newspaper, a Spanish language weekly newspaper serving the Phoenix market. Conceptualization began in March of 1999 when he anticipated the unprecedented growth of the Hispanic population in Maricopa County. Ricardo was responsible for all aspects of design, editorial policy and corporate vision. He also directed all sales efforts. In the first year of operations, La Voz reached a record in annual total sales among Arizona Spanish language publications. La Voz became the obvious choice for the Arizona Republic; Mr. Torres successfully completed the sale of his paper to Gannett in August 2003.

Prior to his publishing career, Ricardo was a pioneer of Spanish language radio in Arizona. A dynamic, entrepreneurial sales and operational strategist, Mr. Torres served Z-Spanish Media's Phoenix cluster of stations in several capacities, including Vice President/General Manager. His leadership resulted in the organization exceeding sales quotas and profitability projections.

Ricardo is active in community-based initiatives and a supporter of Latino non-profit organizations including Valle del Sol, Chicanos Por la Causa, and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He serves as a board member for ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, the John C. Lincoln Health Foundation, St. Luke's Health Initiatives, The Suns Charities Board and the Arizona Latino Media Association.

Email: rtorres@sonoranbank.com

Lawrence A. Pearl - Vice Chairman

Dr. Lawrence Pearl founded a chain of optical stores and optometry practices in 1973. While he retired from active practice in 2003, he is still active in business management and recently opened a surgical center in Bullhead City. Dr. Pearl attended the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and received his BS form the University of Pennsylvania. He obtained his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He performed post-doctoral work at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Cornell University, and the University of Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Pearl has been cited by numerous pharmaceutical companies and the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation for his work with promising technologies in the contact lens field.

Larry is the founder of Best Buy Group, which has many different divisions including an insurance brokerage, a property development, title insurance, and real estate brokerage, a finance company, and an automobile dealership. He and his wife Yolanda focus their businesses on serving the Hispanic community. Yolanda has successfully grown the insurance company, which conducts all its business in Spanish, to $20 million dollars in annual revenues in just seven years. Best Buy's development division builds and rehabs housing in Hispanic districts. The auto dealership and title company cater to Hispanics, and the finance division has loaned exclusively within the Hispanic market.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Pearl has lived in Arizona for the past 35 years. Yolanda received her degree from Arizona State University. A champion of justice, she actively works with her customers, helping them pursue their rights.

Email: lpearl@sonoranbank.com

Jim Vigars

With a banking background spanning 34 years, Jim has held a variety of positions. He served as President of Midwest Heritage Bank, F.S.B. in Chariton, IA for almost eight years beginning in 1990. Midwest Heritage Bank, F.S.B. grew from one rural location to 3 locations and 4 loan production offices, with assets increasing from $55 million to $120 million during Jim's presidency. Jim moved to Wisconsin in December 1997 to become President of S & C Bank (f/k/a Bank of New Richmond) in New Richmond, WI for two years. He was then promoted to the holding company (S & C Banco, Inc) headquarters where he served as Executive Vice President of the company. There he supervised all lending activities, cash management and investing and was primarily responsible for the Asset/Liability Management function. The company grew from 12 locations to 20 during Jim's seven plus years there and increased assets from $225 million to $385 million. During Jim's tenure, both the Iowa and Wisconsin banks achieved the highest profitability in their histories. He was also a bank examiner for the FDIC for ten years, as well as an instructor at their training center in Rosslyn, VA. Jim graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking in 1983. Jim has always been active in the communities in which he has resided. He was President of the Chariton, IA Chamber of Commerce, President of Lucas County Economic Development Corporation and President and Treasurer of St. Croix County United Way. He was also Chairman of Iowa's Community Bankers and active in Rotary Clubs in Chariton, IA and New Richmond, WI. Jim has also been extremely active in various fund raising campaigns in the communities where he resided. Jim is a native of Iowa and received his BA in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. He is an avid baseball fan. Jim served in the United States Army and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He and his wife Linda, who is a registered nurse, have two children - Amy, who resides in Phoenix, AZ and Neil, who resides in Moline, IL. Jim and Linda live in Goodyear, AZ.

Jim Vigars President Sonoran Bank

Mailing Address

3877 N. 7th Street Suite 150 Phoenix, AZ 85014

Tel: 602-393-6950 Fax: 602-393-6960 Email: jvigars@sonoranbank.com

Edmundo E. Hidalgo - Co-Secretary

Edmundo is the Chief Operating Officer for Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., a statewide community development corporation focusing on social services, education, economic development and affordable housing. Edmundo has over 13 years experience in the community development arena, having developed, financed or sold over $280 million in single or multi-family affordable housing. Mr. Hidalgo was previously with Wells Fargo Bank where he served in the capacity of Vice President, Corporate Community Development Manager and as the National Spokesperson for Wells Fargo's Latino Loan Program.

Edmundo currently serves on the board of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Housing Board and on the Rocky Mountain Mutual Housing Board. He is a member of the Arizona Minority Education Policy Analysis Center (AMEPAC), the Coalition for Latino Political Action Committee, and the Maricopa Homeless Coalition.

Mr. Hidalgo received his BA in Economics in 1988 and his MBA in 2000 from Arizona State University. An Arizona native, Edmundo enjoys playing golf with his two young sons. He, his wife Rosanna and their sons make their home in Tempe.

Email: ehidalgo@sonoranbank.com

Guy P. Roll - Co-Secretary

Guy has practiced law in Arizona since 1994, specializing in corporate representation and commercial litigation. Since leaving a prominent national firm to open his own office, Guy has continued his general corporate practice while pursuing additional business interests. A native of Arizona, Guy received undergraduate degrees from Arizona State University and l'Université de Paris, IV, La Sorbonne before earning his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

In addition to his law practice, Guy is active in his community. He has served as a board member for various civic and educational organizations, he has volunteered in both local and national political campaigns, has been an instructor of business law and real estate law at a local college and he continues to pursue his passion for skiing as a member of the National Ski Patrol at Sunrise Ski Park in the White Mountains of Arizona.

Email: groll@sonoranbank.com

Luz Sarmina-Gutiérrez

Luz Sarmina-Gutiérrez is President and CEO of Valle del Sol, Inc., a community organization that provides a variety of behavioral health, social services and Latino leadership development to the community. Valle del Sol has been active in the community for over 35 years. Luz has lead Valle del Sol since 1995 and has grown the agency from $3 to over $10 million in annual revenues and from 56 employees to close to 200.

As a recognized leader in the Latino community she was selected to attend the National Hispana Leadership Institute, a yearlong executive leadership-training course including Harvard's JFK School of Public Policy and the Center for Creative Leadership. She was in the inaugural class of Valley Leadership.

Luz has been recognized for her visionary leadership by the YWCA in their "Tribute to Women" Award for Civic Service; the Alma de La Gente "El Águila" award; the Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority Inaugural Latina Excellence Award for Community Service, and the Phoenix Business Journal Women of Vision Award. She received the "OHTLI" Award from the Mexican government in 2003. (Ohtli means "path" in the Nahuatl dialect.) The award is given to Mexicans or Mexican descendents who have helped to create a "path" for Mexicans in a foreign country. Luz also serves on the Boards of Directors for Mountain Park Health Center, Vice-Chair, AZ Saves, the City of Phoenix Bond Committee, Executive Committee; she was appointed to the Latino Advisory Council by the Governor; served as a Commissioner for the Governor's Advisory Commission on Child Protective Services and on the Attorney General's Latino Advisory Council.

In her personal life Luz is a horsewoman and has been riding since she was a child. She has been a resident of Arizona for 32 years. She has two grown children, Lisa and David. She is married to Rosendo Gutierrez who was the Vice-Mayor of the City Phoenix and currently is a member of the Laveen School District Board. Rosendo is well known in the community for his leadership skills and for his contributions in the areas of affordable housing.

Born in Mexico City, Luz came to the U.S. at the age of six and grew up in the Midwest. She earned a Masters in Social Work degree from ASU.

Email: lsgutierrez@sonoranbank.com

Daniel J. Laraway

Daniel Laraway is the owner of Laraway Financial Group, a money management and financial planning firm. A licensed securities representative and certified financial planner (CFP), Daniel has been in the financial services industry for over 23 years. He holds a Distinguished Graduate certification in Advanced Estate Planning from the National Institute for Estate Planners.

Mr. Laraway earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University, and received a Masters of International Management (Marketing/Finance, Latin American Studies) from the American Graduate School of International Management. Daniel has worked in Nicaragua with locals to help start and fund various businesses, including construction, real estate development, road construction and gravel. While in Nicaragua he also taught English to local Nicaraguans. He is currently pursuing business ventures in Central America.

Daniel is active in Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Arizona; he served on the Foundation Board, has served as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, and is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Club. He is the founder of Young Men's Leadership Quest for the New Frontiers, Inc., and served as CFO and board member.

In addition to his community work, Daniel enjoys flying, golf, skiing, hiking and travel. A resident of Arizona for 25 years, he and his wife June currently live in Scottsdale. June has worked in the spa industry for 20 years, excelling in all areas of operation. She built, staffed and trained the 100% Latino personnel for the premier Ritz Carlton spa in Puerto Rico, successfully managing the culturally sensitive issues surrounding the venture. She also developed and trained the 100 Mexican staff at the Ritz Carlton spa in Cancun, improving the business model while doubling revenues. June currently serves her church as Community Spiritual Director.

Email: dlaraway@sonoranbank.com

Loui Olivas, EdD

Dr. Loui Olivas has an extensive background in executive development, public education, and teaching at secondary, community college, and university levels. He served as the Director of Executive Development and Education for Western Savings and Loan Association, director of Employee Development with the City of Phoenix, and as a consultant, instructor, and developer of various other executive development programs involving Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Olivas joined Arizona State University (ASU) in 1979 as the assistant director for the Center for Executive Development and served as the director from 1982-86. He is a tenured professor in the Management Department, W. P. Carey School of Business. Loui has been awarded the "Outstanding Teaching Award" by ASU undergraduate students and the "Teaching Excellence Award" for ASU's Center for Executive Development. He has published in the fields of personnel, management, training, and small business operations.

Loui has taught at the high school and community college level. He was a founding board member of QuePasa.com, a publicly traded company. A professor of Entrepreneurial Studies and Small Business Management, Dr. Olivas has had numerous former students who have become successful small business owners. For the past fourteen years, he has published the "Annual Survey of Hispanic Owned Businesses in AZ." In addition, he is one of the most quoted (press and publications) authorities on Hispanic Demographics. A third generation Phoenician, he understands the needs of the Latino community and as been actively involved in numerous small business startups and has a pulse on the needs of Latino owned businesses.

He serves on numerous national boards and commissions, having recently completed the office of chair of the Hispanic Caucus, American Association for Higher Education and served as the founding dean of the National Hispanic Corporate Council Institute, serving from 1995 to 1999. He is the president of the American Association for Hispanics in Higher Education. Dr. Olivas is the secretary-treasurer for Project ChalleNGe Foundation, a director of the U.S./Mexico Solidarity Foundation, a board member of Angelita's Amigos, Inc., and a board member of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center Foundation. Since 1999 he has authored the annual DATOS Report, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Olivas is formerly a member of the Phoenix Bank Advisory - Wells Fargo Bank, Arizona, and also a former cabinet member, Valley of the Sun United Way. He is a retired colonel from the Arizona Air National Guard, having served a distinguished military career for 29 years. For the past 12 years, Dr. Olivas has served as the assistant vice president for academic affairs at ASU. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor life and the excitement that nature provides.

Email: lolivas@sonoranbank.com

James H. Rike

James is owner of CalibeR Construction, Inc., a licensed general contractor, and JJELLO, Inc., a real estate development firm. CalibeR and JJELLO specialize in commercial projects, building and tenant improvements; they also build custom homes in the Phoenix area. Jim has over 25 years experience, a general master builder in the Phoenix valley and is a well-respected business entrepreneur. HE and his wife Loida run the companies.

Jim is a native Arizonan, born in Globe. His mother is a 1st generation Mexican from Chihuahua, Mexico. Jim attended Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz, California for 3 years and graduated from Phoenix College. He graduated from West Phoenix High School. HE has taken advanced courses and leadership training from Landmark Education. Jim and his wife / partner are licensed Practitioners of Religious Science. Loida was born in Camuy, Puerto Rico. She is a well respected business lady in the valley for some years. She is a committed supporter of several non-profit associations, including Sojourner Center. Loida and Jim have two daughters, one of them currently attending the University of Arizona.

Jim is a member of Valley Partnership, and has served on the board. HE is a member and past president of Profit Business Assocaiton, a 25 year old business club. Jim is a painter of finer art; teaching acrylic on canvas classes and enjoys playing tennis.

Email: jrike@sonoranbank.com

Rosa Cantor

Rosa Cantor is President and CEO of Creative Human Resources Concepts, LLC, an Arizona based company, established on Cinco de Mayo (May 5) 1997. Ms. Cantor has over 24 years of corporate Human Resources and small business experience. A major producer of contract labor and regular placement of employees, CHRC is a preferred supplier for several Fortune 500 companies, Defense Contractors, Federal Agencies and local businesses. CHRC has established a strong reputation in the valley and has been recognized for its quality of services by receiving the Regional Supplier of the Year Award in 1998, 1999 and 2003 by the National Minority Supplier Development Council and receiving the SBA Certificate of Excellence at the 2004 Small Business Administration National Convention. Locally, CHRC received the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Nuevo Exitó award, the Maricopa Workforce Development award and the Economic Development award at the Latino Mesa Town Hall. Currently, CHRC is recognized as one of the Top 500 and Fastest Growing Hispanic Businesses in the Nation.

Rosa is very active in the community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Arizona SBDC Friends of Small Business. She has spoken on behalf of her client, The Boeing Company, at the Arizona House of Representatives and was also invited by The City of Phoenix and selected by U.S. Secretary of Labor to participate in the first ever National Skills Labor Summit held in Washington, D.C.

Of Mexican descent, Rosa was raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco. She has three children and two grandchildren. Rosa has lived in Arizona for 20 years and calls Mesa her home.

Email: rcantor@sonoranbank.com

Herb J. Paine

Herb Paine is President of Paine Consulting Services, an enterprise now in its seventeenth year of operation, specializing in organization development and change management, board governance, strategic planning and marketing, mergers and collaboration, and interim executive management services for a diverse array of public and private sector organizations. In both his public service and community involvement, Herb has worked to promote social and economic development, social justice, and community building.

Herb is a recognized expert on all aspects of nonprofit organization management. He has consulted extensively with local governments in the restructuring and redesign of service delivery systems and management operations. He has also advised domestic and multi-national corporations in rethinking their strategies for social responsibility and community involvement. Known as the go-to expert for organizations at risk, he is responsible for the successful turnaround of numerous enterprises throughout the country.

Mr. Paine's executive engagements as a manager of change and organization development have included the following positions: President and CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America; Senior Vice President, Affiliate Services, National Easter Seal Society; and Chief Deputy Director, Alameda County Social Services Agency, one of the largest welfare departments in California; Oakland Ballet; and Phoenix Family Museum. Prior to establishing his consulting practice, Herb capped a thirteen-year career with United Way as Executive Director of United Way of California. His advocacy on behalf of the nonprofit sector in California led to the enactment of important legislation regarding charitable giving, voluntarism, liability insurance, and funding for health and human services. As a guest lecturer, media panelist, appointee to numerous public policy commissions, and as a witness before legislative committees, he has championed the nonprofit sector and spoken extensively on the critical issues and challenges it confronts. Herb is currently a member of the faculty of ASU's Nonprofit Management Institute (Effective Governance) and Western International University (Strategic Management).

A native of Boston, Herb received his Bachelor of Arts in government from Boston University and the Master of Arts from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. He and his wife Debbie currently reside in Phoenix, where she is the Executive Director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix. His daughter Carli is a graduate of Columbia University and MIT and is currently associate city planner for the City of Berkeley, California. Herb enjoys hiking, movies and crossword puzzles.

Email: hpaine@sonoranbank.com