Founder, Chairman, First Foundation
WHY: Started as wealth manager in 1990, added bank in 2007 (see Scott Kavanaugh entry). Has built bank to $6.3B in assets and wealth manager to $4.2B AUM. Has 482 employees in California, Nevada, Hawaii.
RECENT: First-half revenue up 16% to $100.5M, while earnings increased 68% to $23.7M.
NOTABLE: Has served boards for city of Irvine, Hoag, Charles Schwab, diabetes and arts groups. UCI trustee 15 years; helped steer investment committee through 2008 financial collapse. Founding member, UCI Center for Investment, Wealth Management. San Diego State grad in finance.
