Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Valencia National Bank Names President : Finance: An executive with an Oklahoma-based conglomerate will succeed Robert Manley, who was fired June 1.

A Los Angeles man with a 24-year career in banking and business operations was named president of Valencia National Bank on Thursday, replacing the founding president, who was ousted June 1.

John M. Reardon, an executive officer for The Ram Cos., is scheduled to take over the post Aug. 22.

The Ram Cos., based in Oklahoma, is a conglomerate of firms that include manufacturing and financial operations.

Reardon has previously served as president and chief operating officer of Oklahoma-based Southwestern Bank & Trust Co., a bank similar in size to Valencia National Bank, officials said. Reardon also is a onetime senior vice president of Wells Fargo Bank.

“John Reardon is bringing to our bank the kind of banking, marketing and business experience we need at this time,” Lou Garasi, chairman of the bank’s board of directors, said in a prepared statement. “His previous success in these areas make him a good match for our bank.

“I know we will now be able to serve Santa Clarita Valley consumers and businesses even better than we have in the past,” Garasi added.

Reardon, who is in his early 50s, holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Oklahoma State University and an advanced degree from Southern Methodist University’s Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

“Banking is a fascinating industry, but is going through considerable change now, requiring unique talents,” Reardon said. “My business experience helps me better understand and serve the banking needs of our business customers, because I’ve been in their position.”

Reardon takes over the post previously held by Robert Manley, who was fired by bank directors June 1 after he refused to resign.

Directors cited declining earnings at the bank and said Manley was unresponsive to shareholders and customers. Manley insists that he was ousted for trying to collect unpaid loans--including several owed by bank directors.

Manley, who has since been named regional vice president of American Pacific State Bank’s Valencia branch slated to open later this month, filed a $2-million lawsuit in July against Valencia National Bank directors over his termination.