Endeavor Bank announced the hiring of Odie Goward as senior vice president. Goward will bring on a team and oversee business development in the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee, as well as nearby unincorporated areas. She will act as regional manager of the new East County Office.

“We are pleased to welcome Odie to the Endeavor Bank team,” said President, Steve Sefton. “Paired with her status as an active and longstanding member of the East County community, her expertise in consultative banking will be an immense asset to us as we break into a new region of San Diego County.”

Having worked in the banking industry in El Cajon and La Mesa since 1991, Goward’s involvement is continually recognized by her community. She has been honored by the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce as one of their Women in Leadership in 2014 and was named El Cajon Citizen of the Year in 2011.

Goward served as vice president of California Bank & Trust for over 13 years. Prior to that, she served in the same capacity at other local banks, including 1st Pacific Bank, Temecula Valley Bank, Cuyamaca Bank, Valle de Oro Bank, and all the way back to American Valley Bank where she specialized in commercial lending.

Goward is currently a member of the board and finance committee at Grossmont Hospital, as well as a board member of the East County Economic Development Corporation, the RunEC Foundation, and a member of the East County Posse.

“It is exciting to see the continued growth and success of Endeavor Bank,” said CEO Dan Yates. “We’re pleased the San Diego business community has shown such enthusiasm for a true community business bank, and we remain committed to increasing access to banking resources for local business owners throughout the region.”