Six executives from Square 1 Bank will handle the chief executive duties while a director’s committee seeks a candidate to replace CEO and Chairman Richard Casey, the institution’s founder, who died last week.

Robert Muehlenbeck was appointed as chairman of the board of Square 1 Financial, Inc. and Square 1 Bank when the directors met Tuesday, according to an announcement that Square 1 issued Thursday.

The six who will handle operations during the search will be under what Square 1 termed the “guidance” of Robert Keith, lead director of Square 1 Financial.

The six are:

  • David Brooks, chief financial officer
  • Susan Casey, chief credit officer and a co-founder and Richard Casey’s widow
  • Judith Erwin, executive vice president for Venture Capital Services
  • Rocco Perate, executive vice president for Specialty Lending
  • Alan Spurgin, executive vice president for Technology Banking
  • Chris Woolley, executive vice president for Life Sciences and Technology Banking West.

“Richard was the spiritual leader of Square 1, and we have large shoes to fill,” Robert Muehlenbeck said. “While his loss was devastating, we have an obligation to Richard’s vision, and to employees, customers, regulators and stakeholders to act quickly and decisively in his absence.”

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