Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 18, 2006

SIERRA BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California   000-33063   33-0937517
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)		   (Commission File No.)   (I.R.S. Employee
Identification No.)

86 North Main Street, Porterville, CA 93257

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

(559) 782-4900

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Not applicable

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Item 5.02  DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS

Gregory A. Childress, a director of Sierra Bancorp and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of the Sierra, since 1994, passed away on December 18, 2006. Mr. Childress, a Porterville native, was a rancher and investor. His family is numbered among the original investors in Bank of the Sierra, and over the years they have accumulated shares to become the largest holders of stock in Sierra Bancorp. With the loss of Mr. Childress, the Company’s Board of Directors will be reduced in size from eight members to seven pursuant to the Company’s Board-approved director succession plan.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    SIERRA BANCORP
Dated: December 20, 2006     By:   /s/ Kenneth R. Taylor
       

Kenneth R. Taylor

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer