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 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 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 is a Founder and Partner at JCSD Capital, LLC, an investment firm focused on U.S.-based financial services and fintech companies. He has over 37 years of experience in the banking industry.

Previously, Steven held roles in the Financial Services group at Salomon Brothers, was CEO at Hoefer & Arnett, and was senior leader at Endicott Management.

He has served on the boards of Wilshire Bancorp, Bank of Hope and Heartland Bank. He also served on the Board of Children’s Hospital of Oakland and the Summit Foundation.

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

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 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.