J. Downey Bridgwater

J. DOWNEY BRIDGWATER currently serves as Director, President, and Chief
Executive Officer of Houston-based Sterling Bancshares, Inc. and
Sterling Bank. Mr. Bridgwater began his banking career in Houston in
1979 with Allied Bank, later acquired by First Interstate Bank. After
spending a brief time working with his own real estate and energy
related companies, Mr. Bridgwater returned to banking and joined Charter
Bank in Houston in 1991 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking.
In 1996, Mr. Bridgwater joined Sterling Bank as CEO of its Memorial
Office. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Bridgwater
is active in civic and community affairs. He serves as a Director of the
Texas Bankers Association, the Harris County Housing Finance
Corporation, BioHouston, The Alley Theatre, Houston Children’s Charity,
and the Boy Scouts of America-Sam Houston Area Council. He is immediate
past Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Houston Forum. Mr.
Bridgwater is a member of the Executive Committee of the Dean’s Advisory
Board for the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston and
is a past Chair of the University of Houston Alumni Association. He is a
member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee for the Greater
Houston Partnership. In addition, Mr. Bridgwater is a Senior Fellow of
the American Leadership Forum and is a graduate of the University of
Houston.