Robert Sarver

Robert Sarver

Robert Sarver has nearly 40 years of experience managing financial institutions. He served as CEO of Western Alliance Bancorporation for 16 years and Executive Chairman for an additional four.

Robert previously held leadership roles at Zions Bancorporation and California Bank and Trust. He is a part-owner of Real Club Deportivo Mallorca and co-founder of Southwest Value Partners, a real estate development firm.

He is also active in philanthropy through the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona.

Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona.

Michael Kennedy

Michael J. Kennedy

Michael J. Kennedy has more than 30 years of experience leading fintech companies and advising top U.S. banks and financial institutions.

He founded and led Zelle Payments (formerly clearXchange) and later served as CEO of Interstellar, pioneering the use of blockchain in international payments. Previously, Michael was Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo & Company, where he led payment strategy, innovation, and wealth management. He began his career as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company.

Michael serves as a board director for IDACORP, Inc. and Idaho Power, and an advisor to EFEX. He is a former advisory board member for Stellar.org and Verrency.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

John M. Eggemeyer

John M. Eggemeyer

John M. Eggemeyer is the founder of Castle Creek Capital LLC, a leading private equity investor in community banks since 1990. He has over 40 years of banking experience and has been involved in more than 75 bank acquisitions.

In 2006, American Banker recognized him as “Community Banker of the Year.” Prior to founding Castle Creek, he spent nearly 20 years in senior executive roles at major U.S. banking institutions.

John is Chairman of the Board at Banc of California, Inc. and serves on the boards of Northpointe Bancshares, Inc., and Primis Financial Corporation. He was previously Chairman of PacWest Bancorp and Guaranty Bancorp and served on the boards of TCF Financial Corporation, Western Bancorp, The Bancorp Inc., and American Financial Realty.

He is a Life Trustee of Northwestern University, serving on its Investment Committee, and a former trustee of the Bishop’s School and Stanford University’s Parent Advisory Board.

John holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Steven Didion

Steven Didion

Steven Didion is a partner at JCSD Capital, LLC, an investment firm focused on U.S.-based financial services and fintech companies. He has over 35 years of experience in the banking industry.

Previously, Steven held leadership roles at Salomon Brothers, Hoefer & Arnett, and Endicott Management. He helped build and later sell a broker-dealer to Raymond James Financial during his time at Salomon Brothers.

Steven has served on the boards of Wilshire Bancorp and Bank of Hope.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Christopher Chouinard

Christopher Chouinard

Christopher Chouinard has over 25 years of experience as an analyst and investor in the financial services sector. He is a Partner and Investment Analyst at Davis Asset Management, helping oversee more than $2 billion in investments.

Previously, Chris founded and led 1C Investment Company LLC. He held leadership roles at Endicott Management Company, managing hedge and private equity funds focused on community banks. Earlier in his career, he was an equity research analyst at Sanford Bernstein, BofA Securities, and Morgan Stanley. He began his career as an economist in the antitrust division of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, focusing on bank mergers and acquisitions.

Chris formerly served as a board member for Clearsurance, Opportunity Bank, N.A., and Endicott Management Company.

Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cornell University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder.

Marty Adams

Marty Adams

Marty Adams has more than 30 years of banking experience and is Co-Founder of Strategic Value Bank Partners, an investment firm specializing in community banks.

Previously, he served as Interim CEO and Director at Park View Federal Savings Bank and as President and COO of Huntington Bancshares. For two decades, he was CEO of Sky Financial Group, growing the bank into an $18 billion financial holding company with operations across the Midwest.

Marty has served on the boards of Huntington Bancshares, Sky Financial Group, Park View Federal Savings Bank, GulfShore Bancshares and First National Bank of Chester. He currently serves on the boards of Premier Financial Corp, FineMark National Bank & Trust, and First National Bancshares, Inc.

He earned a bachelor’s in business administration and economics from West Liberty University and an MBA from Franciscan University.

Richard Dahl

Richard J. Dahl

Richard J. Dahl has deep banking and leadership experience, both in Hawaii and on the mainland. His expertise includes corporate strategy and transformation, audit and risk management, governance, and shareholder engagement.

Richard has held several executive leadership positions, including Interim CEO of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (parent company of Applebee’s and IHOP), President and COO of Dole Food Company, and President and COO of Bank of Hawaii.

He has served on the boards of Dine Brands Global, Inc., IDACORP, Inc., Idaho Power, International Rectifier Corporation and James Campbell Company, LLC.

Richard holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho.

Ann Teranishi

Ann Teranishi

Ann Teranishi is President and CEO of American Savings Bank (ASB).

Ann joined ASB in 2007. She previously served as Executive Vice President of Operations and was responsible for delivering operational improvements to enhance customer experience. She was instrumental in transitioning ASB from more traditional to online and self-service banking options. In her previous roles, Ann was responsible for developing an enterprise-wide compliance program, leading the Retail Credit team to best-in-class fulfillment times for consumer loans, and heading strategic initiatives to enhance customer service.

Ann serves on various boards, including Hawaii Executive Collaborative, U.S.-Japan Council, and Catholic Charities of Hawaii’s Board of Advisors. She is a trustee for Punahou School and member of the Hawaii Business Roundtable and Hawaii Bankers Association Executive Committee.

Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from Claremont McKenna College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California Law San Francisco.

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ASB Opens Applications for 2025 KeikiCo Business Plan Competition

ASB August 05, 2025 | 5 min read Personal

American Savings Bank (ASB) is now accepting applications for its 2025 KeikiCo Business Plan Competition, a statewide challenge that invites Hawaii public and charter school students in grades 3 through 12 to dream big, solve real-world problems and compete for up to $25,000 for their school - plus bonus cash for individual winners. Teachers and principals can register at asbhawaii.com/keikico by Aug. 13.

“KeikiCo is one of our most inspiring programs because it shows what’s possible when we invest in our youth,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO of American Savings Bank. “The contest encourages entrepreneurial thinking and provides a much-needed financial boost to public schools facing increased budget challenges. These students aren’t just learning how to write business plans, they’re building confidence, sharpening their leadership skills, and discovering how they can make a difference in Hawaii.”

Keikico registration

ASB’s KeikiCo Business Plan Competition was created in 2015 to help students build a strong financial foundation early. With Hawaii being one of the most expensive places to live in the nation, the need to equip youth with crucial financial education skills has never been more important.

To date, ASB has awarded more than $1.6 million to 50 schools statewide and distributed over $314,000 in small grants to participating KeikiCo schools. Past winning ideas addressed community issues such as sustainable bedding for houseless individuals, hydration-monitoring devices, and innovations in environmental sustainability, healthcare and education.

How it Works

Student teams of up to five members develop a business plan and pitch video that tackles a real-world issue in their community. Teams will compete in three divisions - elementary, middle and high school - for the following prizes awarded to their schools:

  • First Place: $25,000
  • Second Place: $15,000
  • People’s Choice Award: $5,000 (selected by public vote)
  • Bonus Cash: Up to $500 per student on winning teams

Once registered, advisors will receive a digital contest packet with key deadlines, judging criteria and access to a video-based curriculum and financial education tools. Multiple teams may enter per school, and team members do not need to be finalized at the time of registration. Entries will be evaluated by ASB bankers, local business leaders and community partners.

How to Enter

  • Eligibility: Hawaii public and charter school students (grades 3 through 12)
  • Teams: Up to five students, supported by a school advisor (principal, teacher or administrator)
  • Registration Deadline: Aug. 13, 2025
  • Register at: asbhawaii.com/keikico

As American Savings Bank celebrates its 100th year of serving Hawaii, KeikiCo continues to reflect ASB’s century-long commitment to supporting Hawaii’s youth through financial education, innovation and opportunity.

Media Contact

Karwin Sui
Communications Manager
(808) 539-7268
ksui@asbhawaii.com

Arianne Nguyen Headshot

Arianne Nguyen

Business Banking Specialist

American Savings Bank

Direct: (808) 539-7969
arnguyen@asbhawaii.com

Arianne joins American Savings Bank as a Business Banking Specialist, where she’s committed to making dreams possible for Hawaii’s business owners. She’s passionate about making banking easy and convenient, and committed to helping entrepreneurs grow and thrive. 

Before joining ASB in 2025, Arianne served as a Banking Consultant at First Hawaiian Bank.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in Hawaii, Arianne has always been inspired by the grit and creativity of small business owners. From a young age, she saw how local businesses serve as the heart of communities. Whether volunteering with the Vietnamese Catholic community or helping merchants create visual marketing content during her spare time, Arianne is driven by a desire to give back and create meaningful impact.

Outside of work, she enjoys photography, cooking, and traveling abroad - often finding ways to connect with and support local food vendors wherever she goes. 

Arianne holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is fluent in Vietnamese.

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