First Foundation Inc., a financial services company with two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, announced that Chief Executive Officer, Scott F. Kavanaugh, has been named President of First Foundation Inc. and First Foundation Bank, effective immediately.

Chief Financial Officer and Interim President, Kevin Thompson, has stepped down. Amy Djou, First Foundation Bank’s Chief Accounting Officer, will assume the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer of First Foundation Inc. and First Foundation Bank while First Foundation conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent replacement.

“Enhancing Scott’s position to include the role of President is the most suitable, long-term transition for the organization,” said Max Briggs, lead independent director. “For the past 15 years, First Foundation and its affiliates have benefitted tremendously from Scott’s proven leadership and strong knowledge of finance, banking, and real estate. The board has complete confidence that he is the right choice to assume this role and execute against the commitments we have made to reduce expenses and slow loan growth while continuing to deliver excellent service to our clients.”

Kavanaugh has served as CEO of First Foundation Inc. and First Foundation Bank since 2009. He was formerly an Executive Vice President and Director of Secondary Marketing for Provident Funding. Kavanaugh was a founding stockholder of Commercial Capital Bancorp and served as Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer from June 1999 to February 2003. Mr. Kavanaugh also served as Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Capital Mortgage since its formation in 1998 until 2003. During his tenure, the bank grew over 400% and was successfully taken public in December 2002.

Prior to this appointment, Amy Djou had served as Chief Accounting Officer of the Bank since March 2021. Djou joined First Foundation Bank in May 2016. She served as Senior Vice President, Controller of the Bank between January 2018 and March 2021 and as Vice President, Controller of the Bank between May 2016 and January 2018. Ms. Djou is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of California since 2002.