Simon Cruz
President and CEO

Simon Cruz, President and CEO, has a distinguished banking career that spans three decades with community banks, international banks, money center banks and real estate investment firms. Mr. Cruz was previously President and CEO of Plus International Bank. Prior to leading Plus, Simon was SVP and Head of the Real Estate Lending at Ocean Bank. His career also includes managing the South Florida Real Estate Division for Chase Manhattan Bank.

An active community leader for more than 24 years, Simon is currently a Board member of the School of International Public Affairs (SIPA) at Florida International University. He is an outgoing Director of the Florida School of Banking of the Florida Bankers Association; a former Board member of the Theodore M. Gibson Foundation, which fosters community integration and understanding; and a past Chairman of United Home Care Services, a United Way agency. Simon was the past Honorary Chairman of Abilities of Florida, an organization promoting the empowerment of the disabled.

Mr. Cruz served as a Miami Beach Commissioner for 10 years. He was Chairman of the Finance Citywide Project Committee and the Community Relations Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee and the Neighborhoods Committee.

Simon graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers University and went on to earn a Masters Degree in International Economics and Latin American Studies from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Mr. Cruz and his family currently reside in Miami Beach and will be purchasing a home in the Coral Gables community.

Ela M. Rivero Prieto
Executive Vice President Senior Loan Officer

Ela M. Rivero-Prieto, a resident of Pinecrest, directs operations and production for the Bank’s Commercial, Residential and Consumer Loans. Ela has over 25 years experience in banking in the Coral Gables and surrounding market area.

Mayling V. Garcia, Senior Vice President and Bank Secrecy Officer, has almost 25 years of banking experience, and is responsible for the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti Money Laundering Compliance sector of the bank.  Prior to joining Bank of Coral Gables Mayling held similar positions in risk management, including AML/BSA compliance, consumer compliance, corporate security as well as managing special projects including system conversions and bank acquisitions

Mark Snelling, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has approximately 25 years of banking experience and is responsible for all financial, accounting and investment activities of the Bank.  Prior to joining Bank of Coral Gables Mark held the position of Chief Financial Officer or Controller at several South Florida commercial banks.

Mark is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida and holds a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from American University and a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from Virginia Tech.  Mark and his family reside in Boca Raton.

Marela Valladares, Senior Vice President and Branch Manager brings more than 21 years of banking experience in the Coral Gables market to the Bank.  In addition to her own excellent personal banking skills, Marela provides guidance and training to bank personnel regarding customer service, compliance and sales strategy skills.

Marela and her family reside in the surrounding Coral Gables area.  She is involved in several non-profit organizations such as March of Dimes, League against Cancer and Hands on Miami. 

Juan Carlos (“JC”) Mijares, Vice President and Senior Financial Services Officer has more than 30 years of banking experience, primarily in the Coral Gables and surrounding areas.  JC is instrumental in developing long term customer relationships that include both loans and deposits.   

JC graduated from the Graduate School of Banking and Finance at the University of Florida Gainesville and lives with his family in the surrounding Coral Gables area.