Jay Gill’s Journey from Dealerships to a $5B Bank Vice Chair Role
Leading a $5B Banking Merger
Jay Gill has worn many hats – from running car dealerships to now helping lead a major bank. In the latest chapter of his career, this veteran Ford dealer and business leader has been named Vice Chairman of the board for Community West Bancshares, the company emerging from a $5 billion bank merger between Community West and United Security Bancshares. The all-stock deal, announced in December, will create a Central California banking company with roughly $5 billion in assets and a broadened community footprint. Gill played a pivotal role on the United Security side – he was that bank’s largest shareholder and served as its Vice Chairman – and he’s set to continue in leadership as Vice Chairman of the combined bank’s board once the merger is finalized.
For Gill, the opportunity to bridge his business acumen into banking is both exciting and humbling. “It’s an honor to step into the vice chairman role at a time of such momentum and promise,” Gill said, emphasizing that he looks forward to working with the team to explore “new avenues for growth” while staying true to the core values that made United Security Bank successful. Community West’s existing leadership has equally high praise for Gill’s involvement. Jay and Dora (Westerlund) will bring an abundance of leadership and experience to our boardroom, and their guidance will be invaluable as we build a more robust banking franchise serving Central California, noted Daniel J. Doyle, Chairman of Community West Bancshares. In short, Gill’s proven vision and steady hand will now help steer a growing regional bank – a development that speaks to his versatility as a leader.
Roots in Automotive (and Beyond)
Those in the Ford dealer community are not surprised to see Gill making big moves. After all, his entrepreneurial journey spans automotive, agriculture, and real estate – industries where he’s built a track record of success. In fact, Gill’s life story is the stuff of business legend: he immigrated to the U.S. from India at age 8 and started out working in California’s Central Valley farm fields, never imagining that forty years later he’d own a business empire worth around $150 million. What began as a single local car lot grew into the Gill Automotive Group, a network of a dozen dealerships across California and Hawaii representing brands from Ford and Chevrolet to Maserati. Gill’s dealerships – including Windward Ford of Hawaii and Livermore Ford in California – have thrived by focusing on trust, relationships, and community service.
Beyond the showroom, Gill spread his wings into farming and property development as well. He maintains agricultural interests in Central California and leads a real estate development firm, Lifetime Communities, which builds housing projects. This diverse business portfolio has kept Gill deeply rooted in his community. A graduate of Fresno State University, he built many of his ventures in the Central Valley, creating jobs and opportunities in the same region where he once worked the fields. It’s a background that keeps him grounded. As Gill often recounts, he went literally “from working the fields to cultivating” a thriving enterprise – an inspiring climb that underscores his work ethic and vision.
Championing Minority Dealers
Equally important to Gill is giving back to the automotive community, especially to fellow minority dealers. He has been an active leader in the Ford Minority Dealers Association (Ford MDA), serving on the board of directors and lending his voice to initiatives that strengthen minority-owned dealerships. Colleagues in the Ford network know Gill as someone who’s quick to share advice and mentorship – whether it’s guiding a new dealer through their first year or pushing for resources and training opportunities for all MDA members. In fact, Gill’s influence extends across automotive brands. As the owner of multi-franchise stores, he also holds a leadership role in the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association and contributes to the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, reflecting his commitment to diversity and inclusion industry-wide.
One of Gill’s hallmark beliefs is investing in the next generation. Within his own company, he has sponsored high-potential employees to attend dealer academies and leadership programs. “Our people are the future of our business,” Gill says – and he backs that motto with action. This year, he celebrated as a sixth team member from Gill Auto Group was accepted into a rigorous dealer development program, a move that has cost the company over $600,000 to date but one Gill views as vital for succession planning and growth. “We believe in developing leaders from within… part of our mission to build a strong, innovative, and values-driven leadership team,” he explains of these investments. By championing education and sharing his own playbook for success, Gill has helped cultivate new minority dealership owners – a legacy that will long benefit the broader Ford dealer network.
A Community Leader and Visionary
Whether in a boardroom or a dealership, Jay Gill is known for leading with a personal touch and bold vision. Within Ford MDA circles, he’s the first to celebrate others’ wins and the first to volunteer solutions when challenges arise. His elevation to Vice Chairman of a $5 billion bank has sparked pride among his peers, who see it as proof that the entrepreneurial spirit of auto dealers can translate into other industries. “Jay’s vision, energy, and commitment to growth are second to none,” one longtime colleague remarked, noting that he approaches banking with the same customer-focused mindset that earned him loyal car buyers.
For Gill, the new banking role isn’t a departure from his roots but rather an extension of his drive to foster community growth. He often draws parallels between running a successful dealership and guiding a community bank – both, he says, require listening to people, building trust, and reinvesting locally. As he steps into this financial leadership position, Gill carries with him the lessons learned on the showroom floor and the farm fields alike. His story, from immigrant farmhand to auto dealer to bank vice-chairman, is a testament to hard work and determination. And it’s a story that resonates deeply with the Ford minority dealer community – a reminder that with vision and perseverance, the sky is truly the limit.
Lastly, Jay sits on the Board of Directors at Monterey County Bank at Pebble Beach. He is part of a group that purchased American Savings Bank in Hawaii in 2024 with assets of $9 billion, An advisor on many tech startups including the Unicorn that is well known in the automotive industry Tekion. And, he is involved in 18 different startups in Silicon Valley.
