Commercial banking executive and Mihaylo alumnus Gary Green ’80 (finance) has supported his alma mater through involvement in the Mihaylo Executive Council, business education programs and planning university events.

Mihaylo finance alumnus and commercial banking executive Gary Green ’80 will be honored at Cal State Fullerton’s annual Vision & Visionaries event on Feb. 20 for his involvement with his alma mater and the Orange County community. 

When Gary Green ’80 (finance) graduated from the Cal State Fullerton business program, he embarked on a decades-long commercial banking career, yet he never lost his passion for his alma mater.

“Cal State Fullerton has equipped me with knowledge that has served as a strong foundation for my career,” he says. “In turn, my success has given me the opportunity to positively impact today’s students.”

Currently executive vice-president and Orange County manager for commercial banking at California Bank & Trust, Green oversees four retail branch offices and two commercial loan centers. In light of the rash of foreclosures and bankruptcies that accompanied the Great Recession, he has been influential in supporting financial literacy outreach, ensuring that consumers and local business leaders are making calculated and informed choices that will benefit the local economy.

In the community, Green has helped improve the lives of children and youth through his commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tustin. A member of the board of directors since 1996, he has also provided crucial financial support to the organization that assists K-12 students in reaching their full potential and developing themselves as local and global citizens. He is also on the board of directors for Discovery Cube of OC, which promotes scientific education and literacy, and The Risk Management Association Orange County Chapter, which advances sound risk principles for financial institutions.

Green earned his MBA at USC and a post-doctoral degree at Stanford University, yet he has always prioritized his commitment to his undergraduate alma mater. His passion for business education is demonstrated by his membership on the board of directors of the Mihaylo Executive Council, involvement in student development activities such as Professor for a Day and speaking engagements with the Leadership Scholars, as well as nearly a decade of support to the Woods Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis. Due to his support, California Bank & Trust has had a three-year title sponsorship for the annual Midyear Economic Forecast.

Green is currently chairman of Cal State Fullerton’s annual Concert Under the Stars, the university’s premier fundraising and outreach event. Under his leadership, the event netted a record $418,987 for student support last year. “Gary has an infectious positive nature, which makes him a natural leader for our event committees,” says Stefanie Light, senior director of university events. “He is a genuine and a proud alumnus, and it seems that with every meeting or conversation, he is making sure that people know about Cal State Fullerton and all of our remarkable programs and students.”

For more information on this year’s Vision & Visionaries event or to view past honorees, visit the Vision & Visionaries web page. For more on Executive Council events and membership, contact Development and Alumni Relations Associate Amanda Leon at [email protected].