Senior-Level Hires Strengthen Western Alliance Bank’s Growing Innovation Banking Group

SAN FRANCISCO — Western Alliance Bank today announced that its Innovation Banking Group has recently hired six senior-level team members who will work in technology hubs across the Western United States as part of the team’s ongoing expansion. 

The new team members will be based in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver to bolster regional presence and service clients of Western Alliance Bank’s growing Innovation Banking Group in those geographies and nationwide. The group supports technology companies at all stages of their life cycles with customized banking services and credit solutions to help them navigate the rapidly changing environment.

“Innovative technology startups enter the market on a seemingly daily basis, and we are honored that new and existing tech companies seek out Western Alliance's Innovation Banking Group to assist with everything from cash management to growth capital and venture debt to fund their growth and meet their goals,” said Mike Lederman, senior managing director in Western Alliance Bank’s Innovation Banking Group. “We are excited to have these talented and experienced professionals join our team to support the group’s ongoing expansion.”

These six new hires were selected for their expertise and ability to deliver the relationship banking for which Western Alliance's Innovation Banking Group is known: 

• Greg Blount, senior vice president, San Francisco, has focused on commercial and technology banking for 12 years, including nearly a decade with Wells Fargo, prior to his recent tenure as director of originations for MUFG’s Technology Banking group.
• Everardo Gomez, senior vice president, Los Angeles, has worked in banking, finance and risk management for 18 years, including time with Silicon Valley Bank and most recently with Hum Capital.
• Lila Janakievski, senior vice president, Los Angeles, has served in various role working with technology companies, most recently as a venture lender with Espresso Capital.
• Shayna Modarresi, senior vice president, San Francisco, has nearly 20 years of experience in investment banking and venture investing, and was most recently a venture lender with Runway Growth Capital.
• Jay Wefel, director, Denver, has more than 20 years of experience originating and structuring senior and subordinated debt, venture capital and private equity capital for public and private companies, including time with Silicon Valley Bank.
• Jon Weitzel, director, San Francisco, is a seasoned equity and debt investor with more than 20 years of experience across various sectors, including enterprise software, most recently with Orix Growth Capital and Monroe Capital.