[8-K] Community West Bancshares Reports Material Event
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8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Community West Bancshares reported that long‑time director William S. Smittcamp and director Tom L. Dobyns have notified the Board of their plans to retire from the Boards of the Company and Community West Bank, effective March 31, 2026.
Smittcamp’s retirement follows 39 years of service, during which he helped guide the Bank from its early years through multiple periods of growth and chaired or served on key committees, including Compensation, Nominating/Governance, and Retirement. Dobyns joined the Company and Bank Boards in April 2024 after a transformative merger and has contributed as Chair of the Retirement Committee and member of the Audit and Risk Oversight Committees.
The Company highlights both directors’ community involvement and leadership backgrounds, and expresses appreciation for their stewardship as the Bank continues to serve business and consumer clients across Central California.
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| UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | ||
| Washington, D.C. 20549 | ||
FORM | ||
| CURRENT REPORT | ||
| Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | ||
Date of Report: February 18, 2026
(Date of earliest event reported)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act o
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On February 18, 2026, William S. Smittcamp and Tom L. Dobyns, members of the board of directors (the “Board”) of Community West Bancshares (the “Company”), provided the Board with notice of their intention to retire from the Board and from the board of directors (the “Bank Board”) of Community West Bank, the Company’s wholly owned bank subsidiary, effective March 31, 2026.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
| 99.1 | Press Release Announcing Retirement of William S. Smittcamp Effective 3-31-26 | |||||||
| 99.2 | Press Release Announcing Retirement of Tom L. Dobyns Effective 3-31-26 | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Dated: | February 18, 2026 | COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES By: /s/ Shannon R. Livingston Shannon R. Livingston Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF
BOARD MEMBER WILLIAM S. SMITTCAMP FOLLOWING 39 YEARS OF SERVICE
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA – February 20, 2026 – The Board of Directors of Community West Bancshares (“Company”) (NASDAQ: CWBC), the parent company of Community West Bank (“Bank”), announced today the retirement of Director William S. Smittcamp, effective March 31, 2026, following 39 years of distinguished service to the Company and the Bank.
Mr. Smittcamp joined the Board during the Bank’s early years and has worked alongside most of the original founders and all four of the Bank’s Chief Executive Officers. Over nearly four decades, he has provided continuity, institutional and business knowledge, and a steady commitment to the community banking principles upon which the Company was built.
“Bill’s service spans an extraordinary period in the Bank’s history,” said Daniel J. Doyle, Chairman of the Board. “From the Bank’s formative years through periods of growth and transformation, Bill has provided thoughtful counsel, steady leadership rooted in strong values, and a genuine appreciation for the role community banking plays in supporting local businesses and families. His understanding of Board governance, shaped by decades of experience in both industry and civic leadership, has strengthened this Company in lasting ways. On behalf of the entire Board, we are sincerely grateful for his leadership and friendship.”
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Smittcamp has been a highly engaged and influential Board member. He played an important role in Board recruitment and governance evolution, ensuring the Company maintained strong leadership while honoring its founding culture. He has consistently advocated for employees, clients, and the Bank’s unique markets, reinforcing the importance of relationship-driven service in every community served. During his service, Mr. Smittcamp served on and chaired numerous Board committees, most recently he has served on the Compensation, Nominating/Governance, and Retirement Committees.
Mr. Smittcamp currently serves as President, CEO, and owner of Wawona Frozen Foods, Inc., and as a principal in other family-related businesses. Founded by his father in 1963, Wawona Frozen Foods has grown into a global supplier, shipping more than 100 million pounds of frozen fruit products annually to major jam, pie, yogurt, ice cream, foodservice, and retail clients worldwide. Now in its third generation of leadership, Mr. Smittcamp has championed his children joining the business and advocated for next-generation leaders throughout the industry. Under his leadership, Wawona Frozen Foods, Inc., has become a recognized industry leader rooted in Central Valley agriculture.
“Bill brought a practical business perspective grounded in deep community roots and generational leadership experience to our Board. His long-standing involvement in agriculture and family enterprise contributed to the Board’s understanding of the needs of local industries and the importance of relationship-driven banking,” said James J. Kim, CEO of the Company and President and CEO of Community West Bank. “Equally important is the character he brings to every interaction. Bill takes the time to know our team, understand our markets, and support our mission. He leads with integrity, humility, and genuine care for people – qualities that have left a lasting mark on this organization.”
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Board Retirement – Page 2
Well-known throughout California’s Central Valley for his civic engagement and community stewardship, Mr. Smittcamp has served in numerous professional and volunteer leadership roles, including the Board of Trustees for Valley Children’s Healthcare, Garfield Water District, California Health Sciences University, and the Fresno State Foundation Board of Governors. His service has also included leadership positions with Every Neighborhood Partnership, the Sigma Chi Foundation, the California League of Food Processors, and the American Frozen Food Institute.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno, and is a proud “Bulldog.”
Mr. Smittcamp’ s distinguished career has been recognized with numerous honors, including Agriculturalist of the Year (Fresno Chamber of Commerce), the Leon S. Peters Award for leadership in business, integrity, philanthropy, and community service, the Frozen Food Hall of Fame (National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association), and multiple recognitions as a Best Family-Owned Business by The Business Journal.
About Community West Bank and Bancshares
Community West Bancshares (“Company”) (NASDAQ: CWBC) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Community West Bank (“Bank”), are headquartered in Fresno, California. The Company was established in 1979 with the vision to help businesses and communities by exceeding expectations at every opportunity, and opened its first Banking Center on January 10, 1980. Today, the Bank operates full-service Banking Centers throughout Central California and maintains a variety of departments supporting Commercial Lending, Agribusiness, SBA, Residential Construction and Mortgage, Manufactured Housing, Private Banking, and Cash Management.
Members of the Company and Bank Board of Directors are: Daniel J. Doyle (Chairman), Robert H. Bartlein (Vice Chairman), James J. Kim (CEO of the Company and President and CEO of the Bank), Martin E. Plourd (President of the Company), Andriana D. Majarian (Lead Independent Director), Suzanne M. Chadwick, Daniel N. Cunningham, Tom L. Dobyns, F.T. “Tommy” Elliott IV, Robert J. Flautt, James W. Lokey, Steven D. McDonald, Dorothea D. Silva, William S. Smittcamp, and Kirk B. Stovesand. Louis C. McMurray is Director Emeritus.
More information about Community West Bancshares and Community West Bank can be found at www.communitywestbank.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Debbie Nalchajian-Cohen
559-222-1322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF
BOARD MEMBER TOM L. DOBYNS
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA – February 20, 2026 – The Board of Directors (“Board”) of Community West Bancshares (“Company”) (NASDAQ: CWBC), the parent company of Community West Bank (“Bank”), announced today that Tom L. Dobyns has elected to retire from the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank, effective March 31, 2026.
Mr. Dobyns joined the Community West Bancshares and Community West Bank Boards of Directors on April 1, 2024, following the completion of the Company’s transformative merger. He previously served as a director of the acquired institution beginning in 2017. Known for his practical leadership style and disciplined approach to governance, Mr. Dobyns brought a seasoned executive perspective that strengthened Board dialogue during a period of growth and transition.
Mr. Dobyns has been an active and engaged member of the Bank’s Audit, Risk Oversight, and Retirement Committees, serving as Chair of the Retirement Committee. With more than four decades of executive and banking leadership, he consistently applied a long-term, risk-aware perspective to Board oversight and committee work. His regional insight and commitment to community banking strengthened the Board’s work.
“Tom has brought decades of executive leadership, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a strong community bank to our Board,” said Daniel J. Doyle, Chairman of the Board. “His insights, collaborative approach, and commitment to thoughtful governance have strengthened our Board during an important period of growth for our Company. We are grateful for his service and leadership and wish him continued success in the next chapter.”
Mr. Dobyns served as the Chief Executive Officer of Mission Community Bank and President and Chief Executive Officer of American Security Bank. He is the founder of Enthusiology, a managerial and leadership consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, and energizing the sales process for banks, credit unions, and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Dobyns serves as the Chairman of the Elder Board at his church and previously served as President of the Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of San Luis Obispo County. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business Administration.
“Tom’s tenure is defined by his deep and steady leadership during periods of change, bringing clarity, experience, and a balanced perspective to our Board’s work,” said James J. Kim, CEO of the Company and President and CEO of the Bank. “From his decades as a bank CEO and executive to his work as a leadership coach and board member, Tom’s thoughtful perspective, strategic contributions, and ongoing support of our mission helped guide the Company through an important stage of its evolution.”
About Community West Bank and Bancshares
Community West Bancshares (“Company”) (NASDAQ: CWBC) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Community West Bank (“Bank”), are headquartered in Fresno, California. The Company was established in 1979 with the vision to help businesses and communities
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Board Retirement - Page 2
by exceeding expectations at every opportunity, and opened its first Banking Center on
January 10, 1980. Today, the Bank operates full-service Banking Centers throughout Central California and maintains a variety of departments supporting Commercial Lending, Agribusiness, SBA, Residential Construction and Mortgage, Manufactured Housing, Private Banking, and Cash Management.
Members of the Company and Bank Board of Directors are: Daniel J. Doyle (Chairman), Robert H. Bartlein (Vice Chairman), James J. Kim (CEO of the Company and President and CEO of the Bank), Martin E. Plourd (President of the Company), Andriana D. Majarian (Lead Independent Director), Suzanne M. Chadwick, Daniel N. Cunningham, Tom L. Dobyns, F.T. “Tommy” Elliott IV, Robert J. Flautt, James W. Lokey, Steven D. McDonald, Dorothea D. Silva, William S. Smittcamp, and Kirk B. Stovesand. Louis C. McMurray is Director Emeritus.
More information about Community West Bancshares and Community West Bank can be found at www.communitywestbank.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Debbie Nalchajian-Cohen
559-222-1322
FAQ
What board changes did Community West Bancshares (CWBC) disclose in this 8-K?
Community West Bancshares disclosed that directors William S. Smittcamp and Tom L. Dobyns will retire from the Boards of the Company and Community West Bank effective March 31, 2026. Both departures are framed as planned retirements following significant service and leadership contributions.
When will CWBC directors William S. Smittcamp and Tom L. Dobyns retire?
Both William S. Smittcamp and Tom L. Dobyns are scheduled to retire from the Boards effective March 31, 2026. The notice of their retirement was provided to the Board on February 18, 2026 and announced publicly through accompanying press releases.
How long has William S. Smittcamp served on the Community West Bancshares board?
William S. Smittcamp has served on the Board for 39 years, joining during the Bank’s early years. The Company credits him with providing continuity, institutional knowledge, and leadership across numerous Board committees, including recent service on the Compensation, Nominating/Governance, and Retirement Committees.
What experience does Tom L. Dobyns bring to the CWBC board prior to retirement?
Tom L. Dobyns joined the Community West Boards on April 1, 2024 after a transformative merger and previously served as a director of the acquired institution since 2017. He is a former bank CEO and chairs the Retirement Committee while serving on the Audit and Risk Oversight Committees.
Does Community West Bancshares link these board retirements to any specific issue or concern?
The Company describes both Smittcamp and Dobyns as retiring from the Boards effective March 31, 2026, and emphasizes gratitude for their service. The language focuses on planned retirements and contributions rather than any performance, strategic, or regulatory concerns.
What is Community West Bancshares’ business focus as described in the release?
Community West Bancshares, parent of Community West Bank, is headquartered in Fresno and operates full‑service banking centers across Central California. It supports commercial lending, agribusiness, SBA, residential construction and mortgage, manufactured housing, private banking, and cash management services for regional businesses and communities.
Filing Exhibits & Attachments
6 documentsPress Releases
Community West Bancshares