Baker Boyer taps Wilkinson to lead Wenatchee expansion

WENATCHEE — Steve Wilkinson will leave the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce this fall to become the inaugural Wenatchee market manager for Baker Boyer, as the Walla Walla-based financial institution prepares to open its first local office.

Wilkinson will begin his new role in October, leading Baker Boyer's expansion into the Wenatchee market. The office will be the company's first major geographic expansion in more than 20 years and will serve existing clients while growing relationships throughout North Central Washington.

"Wenatchee is a perfect fit for Baker Boyer and Steve is exactly the kind of manager we hoped to find," Rob Blethen, executive vice president of D.S. Baker Advisors, said in a news release. "Steve has earned the trust of the Wenatchee community through his leadership, his commitment to local organizations, and his ability to bring people together."

Wilkinson has served as executive director of the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce for the past four years, where he helped expand business partnerships and promote economic development initiatives across North Central Washington. Before joining the chamber, he held executive leadership positions in housing and economic development and worked in commercial banking, including leadership roles with Banner Bank and KeyBank.

Baker Boyer said it has served clients in the Wenatchee area for years and has established relationships with local businesses, attorneys, accountants, nonprofit organizations and community leaders. Opening a permanent office will allow the company to deepen those relationships while expanding its presence in the region.

"As a sixth-generation member of the Baker family, I don't take lightly who we choose to represent Baker Boyer in a new community," Kip Kontos, the company's director of regional offices, said. "Steve has earned the trust of this community through his own integrity and leadership, and that's precisely who we wanted representing our name in Wenatchee."

The company said it will spend the coming months selecting a location for the Wenatchee office and building the local team that will support clients.

Founded in 1869, Baker Boyer is Washington's oldest independently owned community bank. Headquartered in Walla Walla, it currently operates offices in Walla Walla, Yakima and the Tri-Cities, offering business banking, trust services and wealth management.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media