TACOMA, Wash., April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbia Bank announced that Tony Boudia has joined the Columbia Bank Human Resources Team as an Assistant Vice President and Employment Officer.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070411/SFW083 )

"Tony's experience and enthusiasm in the area of recruiting and retaining a high quality, diverse employee base are both valuable assets to our Human Resources team. He truly understands what makes Columbia Bank a unique organization and desirable place to have a career, said Kent Roberts, Senior Vice President and Human Resources Manager.

Mr. Boudia has over 15 years of experience in the Human Resources field, most recently with Washington Mutual where he served as Recruiting Manager. He was previously with AOL Time Warner and Paccar. He has attended Pierce Community College and Chapman College Exchange and has completed numerous courses in the Society of Human Resource Management Learning System.

He is a 15 year resident of Washington and currently lives in Shelton with his wife and son. He is involved with Society of Human Resource Management, Northwest Recruiters Organization, Seattle Area Technical Recruiters Network, as well as the Boy Scouts of America.

Columbia Bank is a Washington state-chartered, full-service commercial bank providing financial products and services to individuals, business and the real estate community. A wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System Inc (Nasdaq: COLB), Columbia Bank currently operates 35 branches in Pierce, King, Cowlitz, Kitsap and Thurston counties. More information about Columbia can be found on its website at http://www.columbiabank.com.

     Contact: JoAnne Coy, Vice President
     Marketing and Communications Director
     Columbia Bank
     253-305-1965

SOURCE Columbia Bank

Contact: JoAnne Coy, Vice President, Marketing and Communications Director of Columbia Bank, +1-253-305-1965