The Board of Directors of Mission Oaks Bancorp, and its primary subsidiary Mission Oaks National Bank, announced the election of G. Bruce Dunn and Gary W. Deems to the board of directors of both companies.

“We are very fortunate to have these highly qualified local businessmen join our boards,” said Robert D. Knogge, chairman. “Both of them served as directors for some of our area’s best run independent banks, and they bring a wealth of financial experience to our organization.”

Dunn spent more than 20 years as director at North County Bank and Community National Bank. Both banks were headquartered in Escondido and were among the area’s most successful community banks. The Escondido resident  has been president of Mission Pools since 1976 and has been active in a variety of civic and charitable organizations in northern San Diego County.

Deems spent 37 years in the banking industry as executive officer and director with several prominent local banks. From 2001 until its sale in 2006 he served as chairman of the board of Community National Bank, one of the region’s fastest growing and most profitable institutions. He also held senior management and/or directors positions at the original Torrey Pines Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, First Pacific National Bank, and PacWest Bancorp. 

“Many of our staff members, including myself, have worked with one or both of these new directors in the past, and we are delighted that they have chosen to join us,” Knogge said.