Mechanics Bank has named C.J. Johnson President and CEO, a role he has performed on an interim basis since February 2024.

Johnson has been instrumental in contributing to Mechanics Bank’s strategic direction and strong performance, both as an officer of the bank and as a Partner of Ford Financial Fund, the bank’s majority owner since 2015. His duties have included serving as the bank’s Chief Financial Officer and as a member of its Executive Committee. Additionally, Johnson has helped execute Ford Financial Fund’s acquisition strategy for Mechanics Bank, which has driven the Bank’s growth from $3 billion in assets in 2015 to nearly $17 billion in assets today.

“C.J. is a strong leader who knows our business, employees and clients well,” said Carl B. Webb, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mechanics Bank and Co-Managing Partner of Ford Financial Fund. “He appreciates Mechanics Bank’s 120-year record of financial stability and will continue to build on our reputation as a trusted financial partner in every community we serve across California.”

Engaged in community development and reinvestment activities, Johnson serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Richmond Housing Renovation, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing vacant and blighted single-family housing in vulnerable low-income neighborhoods in Richmond, California. The community organization is funded by a $3 million social impact bond financed solely by Mechanics Bank.