People | Maria S. Salinas Appointed Chairwoman ProAmérica Bank
Maria S. Salinas Appointed as Chairwoman of the Board to Succeed Newly Sworn-in SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet
ProAmérica Bank (OTCQB: PMRA) is proud to announce that Founding Organizer/Director Maria S. Salinas was appointed by her fellow Directors to lead the Board as Chairwoman. ProAmérica Bank has been fortunate to have a strong, qualified Board of Directors – many of whom are founding organizers.
Fellow Director Edward P. Roski, Chairman of Majestic Realty, shared, “Maria Salinas’ strong financial acumen and experience as a CPA, combined with her commitment and leadership in the community, give her insights into our target market and provide her with the firsthand knowledge to build on the mission of ProAmérica Bank. The Directors look forward to her professional discipline and leadership on the Board.”
Maria S. Salinas
Maria Salinas succeeds Founding Chairwoman Maria Contreras-Sweet who was sworn into office on April 7th by Vice President Joe Biden. President Obama kicked-off the ceremony with strong statements of support for the newest member of his economic advisory team, “She knows first-hand the challenges that small businesses go through…as Founder of ProAmérica Bank she supported Latino entrepreneurs throughout Los Angeles.” Contreras-Sweet now joins President Obama’s cabinet as the Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). Vice President Biden, who conducted the official swearing in and oath of office confirmed her qualifications, “I have every confidence in the world that you’ll do everything in your power to give all of America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs the chance that they dream of.”
President and CEO L. Bruce Mills, Jr. said, “The Directors and staff join me in wishing Founding Chairwoman Maria Contreras-Sweet success in driving our nation’s efforts to support small business growth. In her new role, Maria Contreras-Sweet is required to relinquish her involvement in ProAmérica Bank and resign as Executive Chairwoman. However, we know that she will be championing all businesses across the nation, including the many we serve here at ProAmérica Bank. The Executive Management team and I share the highest regard for newly-appointed Chairwoman Maria Salinas and her commitment to the Bank’s mission.”
“I am honored to serve as Chairwoman of ProAmérica Bank and look forward to continuing to build on the strong corporate infrastructure, systems and programs that have been established. I believe wholeheartedly in the founding mission and will continue to work diligently with the Board and management to ensure that we effectively and professionally deliver access to capital and quality banking to the community,” said Maria S. Salinas.
Maria Salinas is President and Founder of Salinas Consulting, LLC, a finance and accounting project management firm. Salinas is a Certified Public Accountant and experienced finance professional with expertise in leading organizations in financial planning & reporting, controls & compliance, and general accounting matters. Salinas Consulting finance professionals serve clients that include major corporations in Southern California. Prior to launching her business in 2006, Salinas held financial leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company for nearly 11 years. She also developed public accounting experience working with Ernst & Young, LLP. In addition to serving as Director of ProAmérica Bank since its inception, Salinas serves on the Board of Directors at Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) and at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and is a Regent at Loyola Marymount University.
