Oregon Commercial Banking

Leigh Ann Evans

VP, Director of Agribusiness Lending
541-947-3142

Leigh Ann Evans joined the WaFd team in November 2012 and is currently the Director of the WaFd Bank Agribusiness Lending Group. Coming from a banking background, Leigh Ann has experience ranging from retail branch management, rural community facilities financing and building a commercial loan portfolio with an emphasis on agricultural lending. With a lending focus in the livestock, hay and row crop segments of agricultural lending, she brings with her a broad background of practical experience from the cattle industry. Throughout her 24 years in banking, Leigh Ann has served in a variety of leadership positions within the community and continues to be involved in several local service groups. Leigh Ann earned a Bachelor's degree from Oregon State University in Agricultural Economics and she and her family live and ranch in Lakeview, Oregon.

Thomas White

Senior Credit Analyst
541-774-1452

Thomas White has been with WaFd Bank for 7 years and is currently the Senior Credit Analyst for the Agribusiness Banking team. His primary lending focus is cattle, hay and grain production, with experience in vineyards and timber. As a 3rd generation rancher, he understands the production flow of agriculture and draws on that knowledge while working with clients.

Ryan Brown

Senior Relationship Manager
541-312-7132

Ryan has spent the majority of his 16-year banking career serving businesses, people, and communities throughout Central Oregon. A relentless advocate, he takes to heart the importance of supporting his client's entire relationship and in growing the right way. Ryan's in-depth experience of Commercial lending is wide-ranging and includes real estate, construction, equipment, and working capital lines of credit, as well as other financing capabilities. Outside of work, he prefers spending time outdoors with his wife and two daughters.

Shelle Pack

Relationship Manager
541-312-7130

Shelle has over 30 years in the banking industry, spending most of that time in commercial banking. She has helped both business clients and commercial real estate clients with their financial goals. Over the last several years, she has been the designated specialized Commercial Lender for WAFD Bank's Low Incoming Housing Tax Credit financings for both new construction and rehabilitations. She is a 2010 Leadership Bend Graduate and currently serves on the finance committee for the Bend/Redmond Area Habitat for Humanity since 2009. For 43 years she has called Central Oregon home where she enjoys the outdoors, including a small hobby farm raising cattle and hay.

Steve Smith

Community Business Banker
541-880-5206

A Klamath Falls native, Steve started his banking career in 2004 as a mortgage loan officer, transitioning into commercial banking in 2013. Steve enjoys working with local business owners supporting their lending and deposit needs. In his spare time, he enjoys family time, hunting, fishing and watching his girls play soccer.

Danny Proudfoot

Commercial Division Manager
541-312-7140

With over than 20 years banking experience, Danny has expertise in helping finance businesses in nearly all industries. His current focus is Home Builder Finance and Multifamily. As the Central Oregon Commercial Division Manager, he partners with the commercial banking team to provide customized lending and account solutions. Danny is a native Oregonian, living for the past 32 years in Central Oregon. When not working Danny enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with his wife and son

Dan LaCoste

Regional President
541-434-3270

Dan has been in banking for 25 years and is well versed in most aspects of the financial industry. Dan's expertise in helping businesses spans from managing your cash to purchasing your dream business to ensuring you have the right amount of working capital. As the Southern Oregon Division Manager, Dan has a team of 5 lenders that are truly the in best in the business. As a resident of Oregon for the past 45 years, he is passionate about helping our state grow and flourish!

Isaac Grant

Senior Relationship Manager
541-434-3270

Isaac Grant has over a decade of experience in commercial lending with a focus in investment real estate. Based in the Willamette Valley, his proven track record of providing customized financial solutions extends across the state of Oregon. Isaac's holistic approach, deep market insights, and commitment to building enduring client relationships make him an invaluable partner for businesses and investors alike. Beyond his professional pursuits, Isaac is family-centric, enjoying quality time with his wife and four children.

Scott Kuvaas

Relationship Manager
541-434-3274

Scott is a native Oregonian with over five years of commercial banking experience, supporting customers throughout the Willamette Valley. His areas of expertise include investor-owned commercial real estate in multi-family housing, office, industrial, retail, and hospitality, as well as commercial construction. Scott is committed to supporting businesses of all sizes to achieve their goals through a supportive banking relationship.

Jeannie Sterry

Treasury Relationship Manager
541-434-3295

Jeannie Sterry has worked in banking for 30+ years, joining WaFd in 2019. Her focus is around the secure and efficient management of client payables and receivables, combined with fraud tools and a team of support, which provide an effective and robust treasury environment for businesses to thrive. When Jeannie is not working, she enjoys camping and traveling with family, and volunteering through several local nonprofits.

Nicole Nelson

Commercial Division Manager
541-686-2134

Nicole has devoted her twenty-year career to commercial banking and serving clients throughout the Willamette Valley. Well versed in various types of commercial lending, Nicole has expertise in commercial real estate, construction, operating lines of credit and equipment finance. Growing up in a family business has given her a deep understanding of business operations and respect for her commercial clients.

Jerry Herbold

Senior Relationship Manager
541-774-1457

Jerry has over 27 years in commercial lending experience in the Southern Oregon area, with the last 9 years at WaFd Bank as a Relationship Manager. His experience includes construction financing for real estate projects including multi-family, commercial and medical facilities. Additionally, he has helped facilitate financing for businesses, including equipment financing, working capital and operating lines of credit. Jerry values building his relationships with his clients and providing customized solutions to meet their lending needs.

Gary Haines

Regional President
971-300-3313

Gary joined the bank in 2008 and has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry. He started his banking career in Florida as a Small Business Banker and relocated with his family to the PNW in 2000, where his career path moved him into commercial banking. After joining WaFd, Gary held roles as a commercial relationship manager, senior commercial relationship manager, and division manager. In 2013, he was asked to relocate to the Portland area to take on a new role with the bank integrating South Valley Bank and Trust into the WaFd family, and ultimately as its Northern Oregon regional president. Gary has been involved in many youth and community organizations, and has done a significant amount of work as a volunteer in the non-profit space in Oregon. He is the past president of JDRF Columbia-Willamette, and a former board member at the United Way Columbia-Willamette.

Gary has been happily married for 30+ years to his wife, Kirsten, and has 4 beautiful children. In his free time, he enjoys watching his children play sports, watching football, and fishing.

Mary Fling

Senior Relationship Manager
503-351-5160

With a strong foundation in commercial real estate financing, Mary has helped finance over $2 billion in real estate projects throughout the country, including Oregon, Washington, and California. Mary has experience with product types such as construction, term, bridge, value-add, and lines of credit financing. Her experience and practical approach to lending provides the support her clients need for their projects to achieve results and maintain successful operations.

Joe Francis

Senior Relationship Manager
720-371-2500

Joe has more than 30 years of experience in all facets of Commercial Real Estate lending, having originated over $2 billion in loans in 38 states from coast to coast throughout his career. He enjoys helping his clients achieve their desired investment and business outcomes with creativity, thoughtfulness, and commitment. A native of Colorado, Joe has lived in Portland for most of the last 35 years. He is married to his best friend, Jennifer, and together they have one son, Jack. They also have an awesome Australian Labradoodle named Rocky. Together, the family enjoys spending time with loved ones at their homes in Colorado, South Dakota, and up the Washington peninsula. Joe and his family enjoy spending their leisure time skiing, golfing, fishing, and hunting together.

Dan Weldon

Senior Relationship Manager
503-327-3985

Daniel began his banking career in community development lending in Portland, Oregon. He has held a number of positions within finance and banking from mortgage originator to C&I and commercial real estate and construction lending. An early proponent of energy efficient construction, Daniel earned certification as a LEED Accredited Professional (new construction) in 2007. He is also a graduate of Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo and earned his MBA from George Fox University, Newberg.

He lives with his wife, Emily, and two rescue dogs, Rooney and Dashiell, and enjoys all the Pacific NW has to offer; outdoor concerts, hiking, cycling, and entertaining close friends outside in fair weather and in front of a fire as the weather cools.

Marc Sheehan

Vice President, Treasury Relationship Manager
503-320-5552

Marc began his career in 1996 serving in a 24/7 customer service group. He accepted a position in 2000 as a Treasury Management Officer and worked with small business and middle market customers throughout Oregon. In that same year he earned his Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation, becoming a Treasury Management Consultant in 2016 working with clients in Bellingham, Vancouver, and Salem.

Happily married to his wife Shellie for 29 years, they have raised three terrific kids together, Graham, Brooklyn, and Gavin. Outside of work, Marc enjoys spending time on the mountain skiing and playing pickleball in his backyard in Beaverton.

Kyle Hanson

Commercial Division Manager
971-270-7442

As the leader for commercial banking in Oregon, Kyle's responsibilities include commercial banking, treasury management, commercial real estate, and portfolio management. He began his career with a small community bank in Anchorage, AK where he was given increasing responsibilities over a 25-year career in banking. Kyle graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School where his management paper "Modern Theory of Operating Risk Management" was nominated for the school library. He is also a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in Finance. Kyle recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with his wife and has two grown children.

Nick Zalk

Relationship Manager
503-946-8801

Nick has grown up and lived in the Pacific Northwest his whole life. He made the move into banking 5 years ago after working in various sales roles. He has a passion for helping business owners see their goals achieved and watching the community continue to grow. His day-to-day focus consists of servicing his client’s needs and reaching out to companies within the community for future growth opportunity. When he’s not working, he’s hanging out with his wife and 3 daughters.