Karissa Becklund
Chief Credit Officer
High Plains Bank
How did you get started in the banking industry?
While in college in North Dakota, I started as a teller. During that time, I also went through a summer internship at the bank that truly set my career path. I spent time in five different departments, ultimately discovering my passion for loans, which has been a consistent focus throughout my banking career.
What makes your bank unique?
High Plains Bank’s core philosophy is family first, then community, then the bank. High Plains Bank is family and employee-owned which helps maintain its independent, community-focused mission and is a Certified Evergreen business, which is a designation for privately held companies that are committed to remaining independent for the long term. High Plains Bank refers to its approach as “craft banking,” which means it’s committed to understanding the specific needs of each customer to tailor financial solutions with personalized, high-touch service that goes beyond standard transactions.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing how our work directly impacts the community. By making sound credit decisions, we help local businesses grow, entrepreneurs launch new ventures and provide capital to rural areas of Colorado. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our bank is a vital part of the economic engine that keeps Colorado thriving, and I’m proud to play a role in fostering that growth.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian. While I love animals, I now get way too queasy to handle anything in the medical profession!
What do you listen to on your morning commute?
Nothing gets me ready for the day quite like some good country music. I start things off by listening to a local country radio morning show!
Max Meints
Centralized Operations
FirstBank
How did you get started in the banking industry?
I got into banking because I wanted to use my economics degree from the University of Colorado in a space where I could be creative, make an impact and lead with a people-first approach. I found that at FirstBank. I work in Centralized Operations, which means I’m behind the scenes, not interacting with customers directly, but supporting our internal teams. I really see our employees as my customers. Helping them do their jobs better is how I contribute to the bigger picture.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
One of the things I enjoy most about my job is seeing a project through from start to finish. Taking an idea and turning it into something real that improves how we work is always a good feeling. Just as rewarding is seeing my team grow. I love being part of their development and watching them become stronger both in their roles and as people.
I’m also very involved in our employee engagement efforts. I care a lot about creating a work environment where people feel connected, supported and appreciated. Whether it’s organizing team-building events, celebrating wins or encouraging collaboration, I believe that when employees feel good about where they work, it shows in everything they do.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a kid, I dreamed of being a professional athlete. While that dream changed course, the values I admired in sports like discipline and teamwork have followed me into my career.
Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know.
Something most people don’t know about me is that before working at the bank, I spent three years on cruise ships as part of the daycare staff. I had the opportunity to visit more than 30 countries during that time. The experience taught me a lot about myself, the importance of adaptability and the value of hard work, especially in high-pressure and fast-paced environments, such as banking.
Esgar Acosta
Senior Vice President and Head of Community Inclusion & Engagement
Alpine Bank
How did you get started in the banking industry?
My journey with Alpine Bank began in 1996 when I was one of the first recipients of the Alpine Bank Hispanic Scholarship. That opportunity helped me attend Colorado Mountain College (CMC), earn an associate degree and become a certified police officer in Colorado. Since then, my career has spanned law enforcement, education and community leadership.
Before entering banking, I worked at Carquest Auto Parts while applying to various law enforcement positions. I was invited by Rachel Gerlach — then president of Alpine Bank’s Eagle branch and a high school classmate — to consider a career in banking. At first, I said no, I couldn’t imagine being behind a teller line all day. But when she explained she was looking for a lender and that I’d be trained, I decided to give it a try. I joined Alpine Bank in 2006 and haven’t looked back.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned from a career in banking?
Over the years, I’ve served on more than 15 nonprofit boards and now lead efforts to strengthen equity and outreach across Colorado. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in banking is that, at the end of the day, it’s just people doing business with people — a message our leadership at Alpine Bank continues to reinforce.
Tell us about your family.
I live in Gypsum, Colorado, with my wife, Karla, a first-grade teacher working on her master’s degree, and our two children, Luna and Gael. Luna is taking college courses through CMC while still in high school, and Gael is active in sports and school organizations.
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation?
If you asked me to speak for 20 minutes without preparation, I’d talk about Alpine Bank or financial literacy — topics I’m passionate about and often present in schools.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is “Remember the Titans.” It’s full of life lessons — and who doesn’t love a good football story?
Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know.
Something most people don’t know about me is that I’ve had many jobs and careers before discovering my passion for banking. I served as a police officer in Aspen and later as a reserve officer for the Weld County Sheriff’s Department, where I was part of the Warrant Task Force Unit.
Mari Dhono
Regional Operations Officer
Bank of Colorado
What is the most important thing you’ve learned from a career in banking?
The most important thing I’ve learned from my career in banking is that success comes from a balance of knowledge, adaptability and persistence. Banking has taught me the importance of being open-minded when managing risks, continuously improving my understanding of financial products and economic trends, and embracing innovations like AI to stay ahead of change. At the same time, I’ve seen how transformational leadership and going above and beyond for customers create lasting trust and stronger relationships. Ultimately, my biggest lesson is that growth is a journey. If you don’t give up and always strive to be better, you not only achieve your own goals but also help your team, customers and organization succeed.
What makes your bank unique?
What makes Bank of Colorado unique is our ability to combine the strength and resources of a large financial institution with the personal service and community focus of a local bank. We pride ourselves on long-term relationships, not just transactions, and we empower our teams to know our customers personally. That blend of stability, innovation and hometown values truly sets us apart.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job as a regional operations officer at Bank of Colorado is knowing that my work directly supports our teams and the communities we serve. It’s not just about keeping operations running smoothly; it’s about creating an environment where employees feel equipped and empowered to provide the best service to our customers.
At the end of the day, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how the work behind the scenes translates into real impact of helping families, supporting local businesses and strengthening the trust our communities place in us. That sense of purpose and connection is what makes this role so meaningful for me.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be an accountant. It’s a chance to crunch numbers and connect with people, helping them make sense of their finances in a way that actually makes their day easier.
Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know.
I moved to the United States in 2012, right after college and without speaking any English, just to experience what life here was like. Here I am 13 years later, loving every moment of life and thriving in my career at Bank of Colorado.
