First Foundation Inc., a financial services company with two wholly owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, announced the promotion of Michael Berry to Senior Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking of First Foundation Bank.

“Mike has been a valuable member of the First Foundation team for over five years, and is the perfect person to lead the team as we look to grow our commercial banking offering,” said Scott F. Kavanaugh, CEO of First Foundation.

In his new role, Berry will lead the Commercial Banking production team as well as manage the Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, Small Business, and Public Finance teams. As First Foundation continues to expand, including its recent entry into Dallas, TX, the emphasis on commercial banking aligns with its strategic plan to continue to offer products and services its clients have come to expect from a bank with a growing regional footprint.

Berry joined First Foundation Bank in 2015 to initially launch the bank’s commercial banking solution and most recently served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Banking Director. In his roles with First Foundation Bank, he has managed the bank’s commercial and industrial loan portfolio as well as contributed to commercial deposit growth.

Prior to joining First Foundation, Berry was a Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at First Community Bank and Vice President, Commercial Banking Team Leader at Argent Bank. Berry has focused his expertise on commercial banking for 20 years and is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.