OREANDA-NEWS. Bank of America today announced that Ernie Phoenix has been named market president, serving as the company’s enterprise leader in Bakersfield and across Kern County. Phoenix succeeds Lynn Knudson, who led the market since 2009 and will continue serving as a Global Commercial Banking executive while supporting Phoenix with his transition into the market president role.

In this role, Phoenix will work across the region to connect Bank of America’s business lines to deliver integrated financial services to individuals, families and businesses. He will also lead Bank of America’s corporate social responsibility work in the market, which leverages the capabilities of the company to help partners, people, communities and a broad client and customer base more effectively address a wide range of issues.

“Ernie was born and raised in Bakersfield, and as a leader in the community, his knowledge of Kern County and leadership as market president will ensure we’re helping to make our customers' and clients’ financial lives better, through the power of every connection we can make with them,” said Brian Moynihan, chief executive officer, Bank of America.

Phoenix brings outstanding leadership credentials to the market president role. He joined Bank of America in 2007 and currently is Small Business Banking manager for the Central California region of Bakersfield, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Valencia, and Lancaster. In this role, he and his team of 13 local small business bankers are focused on meeting the needs of small business customers, with an emphasis on farming and farming-related companies. He also integrates with lines of business across the enterprise, including working closely with financial centers, Commercial Banking, and Global Wealth and Investment Management.

A native of Bakersfield and graduate of West High School, Phoenix is an active community leader, having served on the board of the Kern County United Way, and volunteers in the community in his spare time. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from California State University, San Diego and is a graduate of Leadership Bakersfield.