I’m incredibly honored and excited to serve as chairman of the Colorado Bankers Association (CBA) for the 2025-26 term. Having spent my career in banking, I’ve come to truly value the power of community, collaboration and the role CBA plays in supporting all of us — not just as professionals, but as neighbors and partners in Colorado’s growth.

As I step into this role, I’ve been reflecting on what matters most for our industry right now — and where we need to go next. With that in mind, I’d like to share four priorities that I believe will help strengthen our collective impact in the year ahead.

1. Keep Advocacy Strong and Focused

At its core, CBA has always been an advocate — for our banks, for our teams and for the communities we serve. That’s not changing. If anything, we’re doubling down.

With Jen and Allison leading the charge, we have a team that understands the issues and knows how to build relationships that get results. Whether it’s protecting our ability to compete, keeping regulations fair and workable, or helping shape the policies that affect us every day, our voices matter. And I’m committed to making sure it’s heard loud and clear, at both the state and federal levels.

2. Invest Even More in Education

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about CBA is its commitment to helping bankers grow. It’s something we do really well — and I want us to do even more.

From compliance and lending to leadership and innovation, we’ll continue offering educational opportunities that are timely, practical and high-quality. Whether you’re just starting your career or stepping into a senior role, we want to meet you where you are and help you get where you’re going.

3. Protect the Financial Strength of CBA

CBA has been around for over a century for a reason — we’re built to last. Part of that comes down to good financial stewardship. I believe it’s critical that we continue to maintain the strong financial footing that allows us to be flexible, proactive and ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

That financial strength is what lets us serve you better — plain and simple.

4. Grow and Engage Our Membership

This one is personal for me. I truly believe that the more connected we are, the stronger we are. That’s why one of my top priorities is to bring more banks into the fold and deepen our relationships with existing members.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a small community bank or a large institution — every voice matters, and every perspective strengthens our collective work. My goal is to make sure every member feels seen, supported and empowered to be part of the conversation.

To me, this is what leadership is all about — listening, learning and leaning in together. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as your chairman and to help guide CBA through another year of progress and purpose.

Thanks for the trust you’ve placed in me. I’m looking forward to what we’ll accomplish together.