experienced banking team
Stephen Friedman- Senior Vice President / Business Banking Group
Stephen joined Discovery Bank in January, 2004, as a regional Vice President, with strong experience at both large and small banks in helping businesses grow.
He began his banking career in 1987 at Bank of Boston (now Bank of America), rising to vice president of corporate banking. In 1993, he joined the Bruegger’s Corporation, a bagel bakery franchiser, as chief financial officer. From 1997 to 1998, he was chief financial officer of Westwind Group, a large Burger King franchise. He became president and owner of Jody’s Baking Co., a commercial bakery located in San Diego in 1999.
A resident of Carmel Valley, Stephen has been an active member of the Pinnacle Group, Rotary Club of Poway, the Association for Corporate Growth of San Diego, and the Corporate Finance Council. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont, followed by a master’s degree in business administration from Boston College."My experience as a business owner and operator and as a CFO, in addition to my many years as a corporate banker, has provided me with a level of business understanding over and above what is normally found in banking. I maintain an extensive network of professionals, who then become my clients’ network for advice and expertise on most business issues. My clients view me as more than just a source to meet their immediate banking needs -- they see me as a strategic partner they rely upon to help achieve their goals and objectives.”
--Stephen FriedmanContact Stephen Friedman:
Phone: 760.759.7613
Email: sfriedman@discovery-bank.com
Brenda Shelly- Senior Vice President
Commercial Real Estate / Land & Construction LendingBrenda Shelly joined Discovery Bank in January 2004 with more than 20 years of banking and financial services experiences. She is the bank’s construction loan specialist, and also provides business lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, SBA financing solutions and a full line of banking services.
Brenda’s previous professional experience includes five years as a registered investment advisor and four years as a commercial real estate lender. She also was a vice president for the Bank of Montreal for 10 years in Los Angeles, where she analyzed the financial and market strength of Fortune 500 corporate accounts and originated structured finance transactions.
Brenda has earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance and real estate from California State University Northridge, and an MBA in corporate finance from the University of Southern California. She is an active member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Vistage, Business Network International and Risk Management Associates. She is also involved in fundraising activities for breast cancer research.
“My mission is to make a difference in the lives of the people I touch, to have a positive impact on the community, to bestow the gifts of education, trust and peace of mind to clients with whom I work, and to offer the best of financial resources and services. I am tenacious and passionate about what I do and I want everyone to Discover how great banking can be at Discovery Bank.”
--Brenda ShellyContact Brenda Shelly:
Phone: 760.759.7604
Email: bshelly@discovery-bank.com
Marcia Schaefer- Vice President / San Marcos Branch Manager
As a veteran banking professional, Marcia Schaefer leads Discovery Bank’s San Marcos team in delivering full banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, including commercial lending packages and cash management services.
She joined the bank in 2005 with more than 13 years of industry experience. Her previous experience includes commercial lending at the Bank of California (now Union Bank of California) in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Marcos, and with Landmark National Bank in Solana Beach.
Marcia attended the University of California Riverside graduate program in literature and writing and has taught at UC Riverside, CSU San Marcos, and the Vista and Oceanside school districts. UC Riverside awarded her an academic scholarship for community service work with her church and several social service organizations. She maintains her writing skills by contributing as a freelance writer to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
I take time to thoroughly understand your business so that I can be consultative in my approach to helping you. I work primarily with closely-held and family-owned businesses like yours, and I truly care about your success because so many people are depending on you.
Contact Marcia Schaefer:
Phone: 760.759.7606
Email: mschaefer@discovery-bank.com
Sheree Keller- Vice President / Business Development Officer
Sheree L. Keller is one of eight original employees who opened Discovery Bank in September 2001, and she brings with her 30 years of experience in the banking industry. Sheree has held positions with banks in the area since 1976, beginning with Crocker National Bank. Coupled with other experience at Security Pacific Bank, Bank of California and Grossmont Bank/California Bank & Trust, her career encompasses high levels of proficiencies in consumer and commercial lending, bank operations and business development.
A long-time resident of North County, she is an ambassador for the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, an advisory board member for the San Marcos Boys & Girls Club, and a member of the Business Builders Network. She attended college at Cal State Fullerton and Palomar College.
“Being able to offer exceptional service for my clients is paramount; many have been with me over 20 years. The most rewarding part of my role at Discovery Bank is having the ability to bring people together for the benefit of all, whether through business luncheons, mixers, charity events or one-on-one occasions.”
--Sheree KellerContact Sheree Keller:
Phone: 760.759.7608
Email: skeller@discovery-bank.com
Wanda Allen- Senior Vice President / Poway Branch Manager
Wanda Allen joined Discovery Bank in June 2002 and is a 22-year veteran of commercial banking in the San Diego region.
Her entry into the profession was with Small Business Administration loans in 1984, and she spent the next 15 years of her career managing SBA departments for various banks in San Diego County. She joined Discovery Bank as loan operations manager, overseeing all daily activities associated with managing the bank’s loan portfolio. In 2005 she broadened her role by moving into business development, helping business owners evaluate how they can best utilize the bank’s loan and deposit products to meet their financial objectives.
Wanda is an active participant in the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce, SBA and SCORE-sponsored events, and Business Network International. She is a director of the North San Diego For You Network, and an executive committee member for WomenCEO.
“I like to help small business owners realize their dreams of owning a business, acquiring a business, buying real estate for their business or expanding their existing business. I thoroughly enjoy being a personal banker to business owners, and providing them with exceptional customer service.”
--Wanda AllenContact Wanda Allen:
Phone: TBD
Email: wallen@discovery-bank.com
Pamela Carson- Assistant Vice President / Business Development Officer
Pamela Carson joined Discovery Bank in 2005 with extensive experience in working with small businesses and local economies to help them grow and become more competitive in the marketplace.
She formerly was a member of the Workforce Business Teams for both the City and County of Los Angeles, assisting small business owners in managing their businesses better. While with Valley Economic Development Center, she consulted with more than 400 small businesses to provide entrepreneurial training and preparing them to qualify for SBA loans.
Pamela is strongly committed to community service throughout the North County area. She’s a member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce, Poway Business Park Association, Institute of Real Estate Management, and the Building Owners and Managers Association. She also has been active in the National Association of Women Business Owners, Latin Business Association, Asian Business Association, and as a guest speaker at UCLA’s Extension School. She teaches for Junior Achievement and is a volunteer fundraiser for the YWCA Transition Home for girls coming out of the foster care system.
“My mission is to deliver value to each client that I touch and make their lives and businesses more successful by understanding their goals. I offer the best of my experience, knowledge and resources of Discovery Bank, building better businesses and better lives one at a time.”
-- Pamela CarsonContact Pamela Carson:
Phone: TBD
Email: pcarson@discovery-bank.com
- Rebecca Polastrini
- Vice President / Business Development Officer
Wanda Allen joined Discovery Bank in June 2002 and is a 22-year veteran of commercial banking in the San Diego region.
Her entry into the profession was with Small Business Administration loans in 1984, and she spent the next 15 years of her career managing SBA departments for various banks in San Diego County. She joined Discovery Bank as loan operations manager, overseeing all daily activities associated with managing the bank’s loan portfolio. In 2005 she broadened her role by moving into business development, helping business owners evaluate how they can best utilize the bank’s loan and deposit products to meet their financial objectives.
Wanda is an active participant in the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce, SBA and SCORE-sponsored events, and Business Network International. She is a director of the North San Diego For You Network, and an executive committee member for WomenCEO.
“I like to help small business owners realize their dreams of owning a business, acquiring a business, buying real estate for their business or expanding their existing business. I thoroughly enjoy being a personal banker to business owners, and providing them with exceptional customer service.”
--Wanda AllenContact Wanda Allen:
Phone: TBD
Email: wallen@discovery-bank.com
- James Dorian
- Los Angeles Branch Manager
Wanda Allen joined Discovery Bank in June 2002 and is a 22-year veteran of commercial banking in the San Diego region.
Her entry into the profession was with Small Business Administration loans in 1984, and she spent the next 15 years of her career managing SBA departments for various banks in San Diego County. She joined Discovery Bank as loan operations manager, overseeing all daily activities associated with managing the bank’s loan portfolio. In 2005 she broadened her role by moving into business development, helping business owners evaluate how they can best utilize the bank’s loan and deposit products to meet their financial objectives.
Wanda is an active participant in the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce, SBA and SCORE-sponsored events, and Business Network International. She is a director of the North San Diego For You Network, and an executive committee member for WomenCEO.
“I like to help small business owners realize their dreams of owning a business, acquiring a business, buying real estate for their business or expanding their existing business. I thoroughly enjoy being a personal banker to business owners, and providing them with exceptional customer service.”
--Wanda AllenContact Wanda Allen:
Phone: TBD
Email: wallen@discovery-bank.com
- Lana Loza
- Business Development Officer
Wanda Allen joined Discovery Bank in June 2002 and is a 22-year veteran of commercial banking in the San Diego region.
Her entry into the profession was with Small Business Administration loans in 1984, and she spent the next 15 years of her career managing SBA departments for various banks in San Diego County. She joined Discovery Bank as loan operations manager, overseeing all daily activities associated with managing the bank’s loan portfolio. In 2005 she broadened her role by moving into business development, helping business owners evaluate how they can best utilize the bank’s loan and deposit products to meet their financial objectives.
Wanda is an active participant in the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce, SBA and SCORE-sponsored events, and Business Network International. She is a director of the North San Diego For You Network, and an executive committee member for WomenCEO.
“I like to help small business owners realize their dreams of owning a business, acquiring a business, buying real estate for their business or expanding their existing business. I thoroughly enjoy being a personal banker to business owners, and providing them with exceptional customer service.”
--Wanda AllenContact Wanda Allen:
Phone: TBD
Email: wallen@discovery-bank.com
- Alineh Moradian
- Account Relationship Officer
Wanda Allen joined Discovery Bank in June 2002 and is a 22-year veteran of commercial banking in the San Diego region.
Her entry into the profession was with Small Business Administration loans in 1984, and she spent the next 15 years of her career managing SBA departments for various banks in San Diego County. She joined Discovery Bank as loan operations manager, overseeing all daily activities associated with managing the bank’s loan portfolio. In 2005 she broadened her role by moving into business development, helping business owners evaluate how they can best utilize the bank’s loan and deposit products to meet their financial objectives.
Wanda is an active participant in the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce, SBA and SCORE-sponsored events, and Business Network International. She is a director of the North San Diego For You Network, and an executive committee member for WomenCEO.
“I like to help small business owners realize their dreams of owning a business, acquiring a business, buying real estate for their business or expanding their existing business. I thoroughly enjoy being a personal banker to business owners, and providing them with exceptional customer service.”
--Wanda AllenContact Wanda Allen:
Phone: TBD
Email: wallen@discovery-bank.com
