Gateway Bank, F.S.B. Strengthens Construction Lending Team with Two New Additions, Names Tom Rodriguez EVP, Construction Manager

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Gateway Bank (OTCPK: GWBK) announced two senior hires to expand its construction lending operations. Tom Rodriguez joins as Executive Vice President, Construction Manager, and Twana Sonesing as Associate Vice President, Construction Underwriter. Both will be based in the Walnut Creek office and focus on growing the construction loan portfolio.

According to the Bank, Rodriguez brings over 20 years of construction and commercial banking experience, including leading a construction department that increased its portfolio from $3 million to over $100 million and averaging $40 million in new annual commitments. Sonesing adds a decade of underwriting and loan processing experience across fintech, commercial lending, and mortgage banking, most recently supporting construction loan approvals and portfolio growth at Commercial Bank of California.

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OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gateway Bank, F.S.B. (OTCPK: GWBK) (“the Bank”) today announced the addition of two senior banking professionals to strengthen its growing lending operations. Tom Rodriguez joins as Executive Vice President, Construction Manager, and Twana Sonesing as Associate Vice President, Construction Underwriter, bringing deep expertise in construction lending to the team. Both members will work in the Walnut Creek office and will focus on building out the construction loan portfolio.

“Tom brings over 20 years of banking experience, including a proven track record of rebuilding construction lending departments and growing loan portfolios past $100 million,” said Mukhtar Ali, President and CEO. “Along with Twana’s expertise, his strategic approach and deep knowledge of construction banking make him a tremendous addition as we build out this side of our business. We’re focused on bringing in leaders who combine real industry experience with the client relationships needed to grow construction lending the right way.”

Tom Rodriguez has spent his career in construction and commercial banking, building lending teams and driving growth throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Most recently, as Senior Vice President and Construction Department Manager at Community Bank of the Bay, Rodriguez led all residential and commercial construction financing and grew the bank's construction portfolio from $3 million to over $100 million, averaging $40 million in new annual commitments. Earlier, as VP Relationship Manager at Scott Valley Bank, he generated $150 million in total loan production and consistently ranked first in the bank for fee income, building on a foundation in commercial real estate, credit, and risk management earlier in his career at Bank of Alameda and Greater Bay Bancorp.

Rodriguez holds a BS in Marketing from San Francisco State University and is known for pairing strategic vision with hands-on client relationships to grow lending portfolios and build lasting teams.

Twana Sonesing brings a decade of underwriting and loan processing experience across fintech, commercial lending, and mortgage banking, most recently supporting construction loan approvals, due diligence, and portfolio growth at Commercial Bank of California. Known for her creative problem-solving and strong attention to detail, she has consistently exceeded production goals throughout her career, from Better Mortgage to Bank of America.

About Gateway Bank, F.S.B. Gateway Bank is a Federally-chartered savings bank headquartered in Oakland, California and began operations on June 8, 1990. The Bank currently operates out of its offices located in Oakland’s Chinatown and Walnut Creek, and offers banking services to individuals and businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Contact:

Mukhtar Ali
(510) 813-8582
Mukhtar.Ali@gatewayfsb.com

FAQ

What did Gateway Bank (OTCPK: GWBK) announce on August 5, 2026 about its construction lending team?

Gateway Bank announced two senior additions to its construction lending team on August 5, 2026. According to Gateway Bank, Tom Rodriguez became EVP, Construction Manager, and Twana Sonesing became AVP, Construction Underwriter, both focused on expanding the construction loan portfolio from the Walnut Creek office.

Who is Tom Rodriguez and what is his new role at Gateway Bank (GWBK)?

Tom Rodriguez joined Gateway Bank as Executive Vice President, Construction Manager. According to Gateway Bank, he has over 20 years of construction and commercial banking experience and previously helped grow another bank’s construction portfolio from $3 million to over $100 million with strong annual commitments.

What experience does Twana Sonesing bring to Gateway Bank’s construction lending group?

Twana Sonesing joins Gateway Bank as Associate Vice President, Construction Underwriter. According to Gateway Bank, she has a decade of underwriting and loan processing experience across fintech, commercial lending, and mortgage banking, including work on construction loan approvals, due diligence, and portfolio growth at Commercial Bank of California.

How will the new hires impact Gateway Bank’s construction loan portfolio?

The new hires will focus on building out Gateway Bank’s construction loan portfolio. According to Gateway Bank, both Tom Rodriguez and Twana Sonesing will work from the Walnut Creek office and apply their construction lending and underwriting experience to support portfolio growth and client relationships.

Where will Gateway Bank’s new construction lending leaders be based?

Gateway Bank’s new construction leaders will be based in its Walnut Creek office. According to Gateway Bank, Executive Vice President Tom Rodriguez and Associate Vice President Twana Sonesing will operate from Walnut Creek while concentrating on construction lending and expanding the Bank’s construction loan portfolio.

What prior achievements in construction lending does Tom Rodriguez have before joining Gateway Bank (GWBK)?

Before joining Gateway Bank, Tom Rodriguez led construction financing at Community Bank of the Bay. According to Gateway Bank, he grew that bank’s construction portfolio from $3 million to over $100 million and averaged about $40 million in new annual construction loan commitments.