Mark R. Ruh became executive vice president and chief financial officer of Mission Community Bancorp and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mission Community Bank, on July 26, 2011.

“Mark will play an instrumental role in spearheading Mission’s financial strategy and initiatives, while assisting the company in identifying growth opportunities, including potential future acquisitions as part of our Central Coast Initiative,” said James Lokey, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Mission Community Bancorp.

The Carpenter Community BancFund and its portfolio company, Mission Community Bancorp, have launched a strategy to build the premier California Central Coast banking franchise, designated the Central Coast Initiative. This initiative is designed to capitalize on the distinctive characteristics of the Central Coast banking markets in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Monterey counties.

Most recently, Ruh served as principal of Bowsprit Advisors LLC, where he provided recapitalization and restructuring advice, merger and acquisition due diligence services, and litigation support services to financial services companies. From 1998 to 2009, he was a director at Castle Creek Capital LLC, a private equity firm specializing in control investments in financial services companies.

Ruh has held various executive and board positions including: director, president and chief operating officer of White River Capital Inc. (NYSE Amex: RVR) (2005-2009); president of Union Acceptance Company LLC (2003-2009); and director and chairman of the Audit Committee for an Office of Thrift Supervision chartered thrift (2008-2010).

Ruh, 45, holds a bachelor’s of science in industrial engineering from Pennsylvania State University as well as a master’s degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management and a master’s degree in engineering management, both from Northwestern University.