Pan American Bank today announced that it has hired business development
veteran Mike Najera to lead the bank's business development efforts.
"We are thrilled to have Mike join the Pan American Bank team," said
Pan American Bank CEO Jesse Torres. "Mike's
experience as a successful entrepreneur and business development veteran
will allow Pan American Bank to provide ... financial and competitive advantages for the small business
owner."
Najera, a successful entrepreneur and a former San Diego Port
Commissioner, is the grandson of the organizer of the first
successful anti-segregation case that was won in the history of the
U.S. (Alvarez v. Lemon Grove School Board).
Najera was
named "Small Business Person of the Year" by the San Diego District's
Small Business Administration, "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the San
Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and "Builder of the Year" by the
Latino Builder Association.
His previous venture was
named one of the "5000 fastest growing companies in America" by INC
Magazine. Najera was also inducted into the Southwestern Community
College Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a former
football player and his lifelong commitment to community service.
Established in 1964, Pan American Bank is California's oldest
Hispanic-owned bank and the second-oldest Hispanic-owned bank in the U.S. Headquartered in East Los Angeles, it was founded by the first Latina U.S. Treasurer, Romana Acosta Banuelos.
