---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001473844-23-000035"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "STEL"
cik: "0001473844"
company_name: "Stellar Bancorp, Inc."
filed_at: "2023-07-24T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-13T04:11:23.337045+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.3
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Stellar Bancorp appoints Cynthia Dopjera to Board of Directors effective July 20, 2023

## Summary
- Dopjera elected as Class II director, filling a vacancy; previously served on Stellar Bank board.
- She will join the Audit Committee; board now has 14 members, 11 independent.
- Dopjera has 30+ years of banking, audit, and consulting experience, including at Harper & Pearson.
- No related-party transactions or arrangements; compensation consistent with other non-employee directors.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001473844-23-000035
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: STEL
- cik: 0001473844
- company_name: Stellar Bancorp, Inc.
- filed_at: 2023-07-24T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.3
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1473844/000147384423000035/0001473844-23-000035-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1473844/000147384423000035/stel-20230720.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001473844-23-000035
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001473844-23-000035.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001473844-23-000035.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  William "Nick" Nichols resigned as Director at Stellar Bancorp, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: The appointment fills the vacant Class II director position created by the resignation of William “Nick” Nichols.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1473844/000147384423000035/0001473844-23-000035-index.htm
- Executive change
  Cynthia Dopjera was elected as Director at Stellar Bancorp, Inc..
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Director
  source text: On July 20, 2023, the Board of Directors of Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) elected Cynthia Dopjera to the Board of Directors effective July 20, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1473844/000147384423000035/0001473844-23-000035-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.