Esther Wachtell of Ojai has been elected to the Board of Directors of Ojai Community Bank, effective June 17, 2010, according to Donald Scanlin, chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors.

Founder and retired president of The Wachtell Group, a fundraising consulting company specializing in large capital campaigns throughout the West, Ms. Wachtell is active in charitable activities locally and regionally.

She serves as president of the Ojai Music Festival, as a director of the Museum of Ventura County, and as volunteer consultant for the Campaign to Rebuild Libbey Bowl in Ojai. Farther from home, she chairs the Development Committee for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and served as founding chair of the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California.

"We work so closely with the nonprofits of Ojai and Santa Paula, and Esther knows what nonprofits need to succeed," Scanlin said. "We feel fortunate to have her join our board. Her national philanthropic expertise coupled with her love of the local area bring the perfect balance to the table."

Ms. Wachtell holds a master’s degree from Cornell University. She has studied and lectured on nonprofit management at the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. She and her husband, Tom Wachtell, manage an apple orchard at their Oak Knoll ranch. Tom is chairman and CEO of an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. They have three grown children and 10 grandchildren.

"The Ojai Community Bank was founded in the spirit of serving the community, with local founding members and on-site decision making," Scanlin said. "Esther knows the Valley and will be a substantial resource as we continue to provide the best possible financial products and services to our community."

Ojai Community Bank is a publicly traded company, traded under the symbol OJCB on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (www.otcbb.com). Located at 402 W. Ojai Avenue, the Bank was created from a locally generated capital offering, and is primarily owned by Ojai Valley investors. Member FDIC.

Company Contact:
Donald Scanlin, Chairman of the Board,
or David Brubaker, President/CEO, Ojai Community Bank, 805-646-9909
Public Relations Contact:
Barbara Brown, BBM&D Strategic Branding, 805-667-6671

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