OAKDALE, CA--(Marketwire - Jan 11, 2012) - Oak Valley Community Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: [ OVLY ]), announced the return of Susan Hartless as Vice President and Branch Manager of the Dale Road branch located at 4120 Dale Road in Modesto.

Susan has 40 years of banking experience and has worked primarily in Modesto since 1998. In 2010, Susan temporarily relocated to Austin, Texas, where she was the Service Manager at Anthem Bank and Trust. Susan specializes in business development and relationship management. She will also oversee customer service and provide branch operations support for her staff.

"We are excited to have Susan rejoin the team here at Oak Valley Community Bank," said Executive Vice President of Retail Banking Wendy Burth. "She brings with her a solid understanding of business development and local relationship banking experience," Burth concluded.

Susan is a former member of the United Way of Stanislaus County and the Salida Rotary Club; two local organizations with which she looks forward reuniting. She and her husband Joe have two children and have lived in Modesto for nearly 23 years. Susan enjoys traveling and taking part in community events.

Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank & Eastern Sierra Community Bank, through which it offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small businesses. They currently operate through 14 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Sonora, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, three branches in Modesto, Manteca and three branches in their Eastern Sierra Division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes and Bishop.

For more information call 1-866-844-7500 or visit us online at [ www.ovcb.com ].