OAKDALE, CA--(Marketwire - Jan 12, 2012) - On January 3, 2012, the Boards of Directors of Oak Valley Bancorp (the "Company") (NASDAQ: [ OVLY ]) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Oak Valley Community Bank (the "Bank") appointed Daniel J. Leonard as a new director of the Company and the Bank.

Leonard currently serves as the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Bronco Wine Company, where he has been employed for 25 years. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Wine Institute, a voice for the California wine industry, for the past 20 years.

He is also currently serving as Chairman of the Board for both the College of Business Administration at California State University at Stanislaus and the Parent Resource Center, a Modesto nonprofit organization, which he has been involved with for 15 years.

Leonard holds a Bachelor's degree of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He and his wife Bonnie have lived in the San Joaquin Valley for 25 years, calling either Modesto or Hughson home during that time. They have five children and nine grandchildren.

"Dan is a well-known and respected business leader in the area. His corporate finance experience and understanding of our agriculturally influenced economy here in the Central Valley will be a positive addition to our Board," stated Ron Martin, CEO.

Following the announcement, Leonard commented, "It is a pleasure to work with community-minded organizations dedicated to creating opportunities and strengthening the communities they serve. I am honored to join Oak Valley's Board of Directors and employ my background and experiences to assist in guiding the bank on a continued course for success."

The Company currently operates through 14 branches in Oakdale, Sonora, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, three branches in Modesto, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra Division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop.

For more information, please call 1-866-844-7500 or visit [ www.ovcb.com ].