Baker Boyer Announces Kip Kontos as Its 12th President and CEO and Honors the Retirement of Mark Kajita

^{Mark Kajita and Kip Kontos stand in front of the Blue Mountain Locomotive representing the long history and legacy of the Baker family.} 

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Baker Boyer is announcing that after an extensive succession planning process, Mark Kajita has retired as President and CEO, along with stepping down from the Board, following more than two decades of service to the Bank. At its most recent meeting, the Baker Boyer Board of Directors elected Clifford “Kip” Kontos as Baker Boyer’s next President and CEO. 

The appointment follows a four-year succession planning process designed to ensure stability, continuity, and strong leadership for Baker Boyer’s next chapter. Kontos currently serves as Vice President and Director of Regional Offices, where he works closely with teams across the Bank supporting clients, employees, and community partners. Along with his service on the Baker Boyer Board of Directors since 2017, where he currently serves as Secretary, he brings strong operating leadership, governance experience, and a deep understanding of Baker Boyer’s values, clients, employees, shareholders, and communities, positioning him well to lead the Bank forward. 

Kontos also brings 25 years of experience as an airline pilot, a career that has shaped his approach to leadership, risk assessment and decision-making. During his years representing shareholders on Baker Boyer’s Board, he has demonstrated an ability to take in significant amounts of complex and technical information, ask questions that identify the key issues that need to be addressed, assess risk and clearly articulate a path forward. 

“Baker Boyer’s strength has always come from its people, its values, and its deep relationships with the communities it serves,” said Megan Clubb, Board Chair of Baker Boyer, and former President and CEO of Baker Boyer. “We are confident Kip’s appointment positions Baker Boyer for continued success while preserving the continuity, local commitment, and client focus that have defined the Bank for generations.” 

Kontos is also a sixth-generation member of the Baker family. Baker Boyer was founded in 1869 by his great-great-great-grandfather, Dorsey Syng Baker. While the Board’s selection was based on leadership qualifications, readiness, experience, and the needs of the Bank’s future, his family history reflects a meaningful connection to the institution’s legacy and continued commitment to the communities it serves. 

“I am honored by the Board’s confidence and humbled by the opportunity to serve Baker Boyer as President and CEO,” said Kontos. “Baker Boyer has an extraordinary history, but what makes this Bank special is its people; our employees, clients, shareholders, and community partners. I look forward to listening, learning, and working together as we continue building on the Bank’s strong foundation. 

I am also deeply grateful for Mark’s mentorship and guidance over the years. His commitment to Baker Boyer and the communities it serves have helped shape both this organization and my own professional journey.” 

Mark Kajita joined Baker Boyer in 2003 and held many positions throughout his career, including Senior Portfolio Manager, Executive Vice President of the Wealth Management Division, and member of the Executive Committee. He was promoted to President in January 2014 and became Chief Executive Officer in January 2016. Over his entire tenure at Baker Boyer, Kajita helped guide the Bank through periods such as the Financial Crisis of 2008, the COVID-19 Pandemic and continued expansion in regional markets. He will be staying on as an advisor and resource for a year to support the transition. 

“Someone once told me that retirement is about making way for the next generation to lead,” Kajita said. “I am grateful to have led this great organization for so many years. I now leave Baker Boyer to the next generation of leaders to steer the ship for all our stakeholders, and I am confident they are ready to do so.” 

“On behalf of the Board, we are grateful for Mark’s many contributions to Baker Boyer,” said Megan Clubb. “Mark led the Bank through years of meaningful change and strategic progress. This transition reflects the Board’s intentional focus on leadership development, organizational resilience and continuity planning, so that we can continue serving as a trusted, local institution in our communities.”