Back in his days playing high school sports, Tom LeMasters never guessed he’d become a banker.

“I really thought I’d end up as a teacher and coach. I had no idea I’d end up in this arena,” said LeMasters.

While he’s been with Bank of Napa since its organization, LeMasters became president and chief executive officer in May.

“It’s going very well,” said LeMasters.

“We’ve got good momentum in the marketplace and a good team of people,” he said. “We’ve received great response in the community even though these are challenging economic times.”

What three people would you most like to have dinner with?

Thomas Jefferson, Dwight Eisenhower and Ted Williams.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

Try: High school teacher and coach.

Not try: I will try anything once.

What was your first job?

Salad maker at Jonesy’s Famous Steak House at the Napa Airport.

How did you get into this business?

James Maggetti, who at the time was vice president of Kaiser Steel and a founder of Napa Valley Bank (now Westamerica Bank), helped me land a position at Napa Valley Bank where I was the bank’s first management trainee.

I can’t live without: My family of course, and then “Kruk & Kuip” (Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper, current San Francisco Giants broadcasters and former Giants teammates).

Who do you most admire in the business world?

The Downer family, principals of The Mechanics Bank. Their performance over their long history is special.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

I’d like to break 70 on a par 72 championship golf course. I play everywhere, but Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park is my home course.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I played on one of Napa College’s finest baseball teams in 1977. Our team finished third in the state and included guys like Chuck Gagetta, Kirk Morton, Kyle Rasmusen, Dennis Fechter, Mark Pike, Brad Swenson and Jim Kirby, to name a few.

What is your favorite charity?

I tend to favor those charities that support youth and public education like the Napa College Foundation, and the Napa and Vintage High boosters.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

E. Michael Downer of The Mechanics Bank, Jeff Gerlomes of Napa Printing & Graphics, Pat Abernethy of Abernethy Brothers Construction, Mike Connor, Connor Brothers Construction, Jim Dunathan at Tribal Consulting Solutions/Shelby Insurance Services, Bank of Napa chairman Dick Anderson, Greg Long of Long Electric Company and Kyle Rasmusen of Rasmusen Painting.

More from Tom LeMasters

What was your childhood ambition?

To play shortstop at Candlestick Park for the Giants (and no, we have no family relation to Johnny Lemaster).

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

Fix our city and county roads.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

Establishing the Bank of Napa.

What’s on your to-do list?

Now that my older two children have graduated from college, I’d like to assure that my youngest son receives his college degree. 

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Securing regulatory approval to open Bank of Napa.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

I worked on the “maintenance” crew at Steele Park one summer. The only thing we maintained were the outhouses.

To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com