Local bank COO brings drive to philanthropy – Monterey Herald

Sandi Eason

Sandi Eason’s lifelong goal has been to do it all. And, on a daily basis, she pretty much achieves it. Raised in Pacific Grove, Eason commenced from Pacific Grove High in 1974 and went on to secure a part-time job as a bank teller. This is the story of a young woman who graduated from high school and went on to become president and chief operating officer of a bank.

“I didn’t go on to college,” said Eason. “After starting as a teller at Wells Fargo in Monterey, I ultimately spent 36 years at Wells and am now COO of Pacific Valley Bank in Salinas.”

She is also a bit of a legend when it comes to selling raffle tickets.

United Way Monterey County is one of eight local nonprofit organizations chosen to raise funds by giving donors the opportunity to win a car provided by Concours d’Elegance sponsors. Each organization has run a summer-long campaign, selling $100 tickets, whose proceeds go directly to the charity. The highly anticipated drawing for cars will take place during the Concours d’Elegance show on Sunday. United Way and Natividad Foundation ticket holders are hoping to be chosen for a 2023 Lincoln Corsair.

Last year, Eason sold an unprecedented 30 tickets to the drawing, generating $3,000 in support of United Way. She also sold the winning United Way ticket. This year, she raced up and over her record by selling 70 tickets, bringing in $7,000 to the organization.

“In my nine years of selling tickets, I have shattered the all-time individual record for tickets sold,” said Eason, “and I’ll be excited to hear who wins the Lincoln Corsair. But when I sell tickets, I focus, not on winning the car, but on giving back to our community through the wide reach of United Way. I mean, only one person, out of the 70 tickets I sold, plus all the tickets sold by other United Way team members, will win the car. It’s important for the rest of us to come away feeling good about supporting our community.”

Those who bought tickets from Salinas Valley Health Foundation and Seneca Central Coast are hoping for a 2023 Infiniti QX60 Luxe AWD. Montage Health Foundation and My Museum ticket holders are hoping for a 2023 Mercedes Benz GLA250. Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County and Rancho Cielo sold tickets for the opportunity to win a one-year lease on a 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible, plus a one-day pass to attend the Lexus Performance Drive School at Laguna Seca, and a two-night stay at a Pebble Beach Resort, with a food and beverage credit. This also includes a “Twosome” at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Outstanding performer

Eason had been working for Wells Fargo for 29 years, when the founder and CEO of Coast Commercial Bank tapped her on the shoulder and asked her to take over as CEO.

“He said, ‘This isn’t an interview. We’re here to talk you into taking the job.’ It was,” she said, “an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Once Wells Fargo acquired us, I was back with Wells for seven more years before moving to Pacific Valley Bank.”

But that’s just her career track.  Eason lives in a single-family house, but her home is the entire community. And her hometown support, which runs alongside her work, ransoms even more of her time and talent. Not only is she the current president of “Impower,” but she also just completed a nine-year run on the Board of Directors for United Way Monterey County, the past two years as Board Chair. Among involvement in other charitable organizations.

Established in 2008 by Margaret D’Arrigo-Martin and Cathy Schlumbrecht, Impower is dedicated to inspiring the business community to support and embrace its mission to support girls and women in the wider community by taking action where help and encouragement are needed.

“Community involvement has been my lifelong passion,” Eason said. “Banking is a stimulating career, which pays the bills, and I love it as well. But I have been heavily involved in nonprofit support my whole life. This is where we get to know people, how we become part of our community, where we can make a difference in the quality of our lives.”

Support from any chair

After 14 years as president and CEO of United Way Monterey County, Mary Adams — now a County Supervisor −− was looking to retire. So, she invited Eason to meet her for a drink and a discussion.

“The longstanding joke,” said Eason, “is that Mary Adams invited me out for a martini one night, and I woke up the next morning on the Board of Directors for United Way.”

Nine years later, the Board Chair is taking a break from the Board, but Eason will continue her involvement as a community member. Particularly when it comes to selling tickets for the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Charity Drawing.

“The Concours d’Elegance brings the most expensive cars and elite audience members in the world into this community,” said Eason, “and yet we have residents here who cannot afford to put food on their table. United Way endeavors to bridge that gap, to reach everybody. We’re grateful to the Concours d’Elegance and their sponsors, who are helping us achieve that.”