Square 1 Bank Adds Key Hires to East Technology Banking Team

DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 17, 2017 -- Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western Bank, today announced two key hires on its East Coast banking team. Based in DC, Kevin Johnson joins as managing director of the Mid-Atlantic region. Dhruv Patel joins as vice president on the Southeast banking team.

Johnson joins Square 1 to lead the technology and life sciences banking practices in the Mid-Atlantic region, servicing entrepreneurs and investors in Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. He is a 13-year veteran of the venture banking space, most recently serving as senior vice president and regional managing director at Comerica Bank. In this role, he led the technology and life sciences practice for the company’s Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Prior experience also includes roles as vice president and senior associate within Comerica’s Technology & Life Sciences division. Johnson is an organizing board member of MindShare, an invitation-only network of chief executive officers from promising, high-growth technology companies in the DC region. He received a BS in Business Administration from the University of Delaware.

Johnson added, “Joining Square 1 presents an excellent opportunity to be part of a team committed to serving the venture capital community. As we increase our market presence in the Mid-Atlantic, I have the opportunity to continue to help entrepreneurs with financing solutions that meet their needs, delivered by a team committed to providing the high-quality service Square 1 is known for.”

Patel comes to Square 1 from the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), where he spent over ten years in various roles, most recently as director of investor relations where he lead the organization’s investor relations vertical, and strategy development and engagement plan involving over 250 institutional investors. Prior roles at CED include program development and management for life sciences and technology. Patel received an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance from Mumbai University.

“Having built my career on connecting entrepreneurs in the Southeast with resources needed to grow their businesses, and developing relationships with national firms and investors, I am excited to join the Square 1 team and partner with others who share my commitment to bringing attention to the Southeast as an important center of activity for high-growth companies,” said Patel. “The entrepreneurial spirit and momentum is strong in markets throughout the region and I look forward to continuing to make connections and adding value to the venture space.”

“The Southeast and Mid-Atlantic are important markets for us,” said Mara Huntington, managing director of Square 1’s East Banking team. “We are excited to welcome Kevin and Dhruv to Square 1 as we continue our efforts to make new connections and deepen existing relationships throughout the markets they’ll cover. Their expert knowledge of the ecosystems and expansive, national networks will provide value for clients and prospects alike.”

About Square 1 Bank
Square 1 Bank is a division of Pacific Western Bank, a Los Angeles-based commercial bank with over $21 billion in assets. A full service financial services partner to entrepreneurs and their investors, Square 1 provides clients flexible resources and attentive service to help their companies grow. Square 1 offers a broad range of venture debt, treasury and cash management solutions through offices in top innovation centers: Atlanta, Austin, the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Durham, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, DC. Pacific Western Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ:PACW). For more information, visit www.square1bank.com.

Media Contact:
Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western Bank
Dee McDougal
919.597.7479
[email protected]