Western Alliance Bank announced today that the founding CEO of Alliance Bank of Arizona, James H. Lundy (Jim), will retire on March 31, 2017. Don H. Garner, also a member of the organization’s original management team, becomes the new CEO of Alliance Bank of Arizona, effective Jan. 1, 2017.
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James H. Lundy CEO, Alliance Bank of Arizona (Photo: Business Wire)
A force in the Arizona business community and an accomplished banker, Lundy helped build a start-up bank in 2003 into the fourth largest banking organization in Arizona. Alliance Bank of Arizona is a dynamic part of $17 billion Western Alliance Bancorporation, the Phoenix-based financial services company with five geographically managed banking divisions and 10 national business lines across the country.
“I’m proud of the team we’ve built, the ability we showed in navigating the financial crisis and the success we have helped fuel for so many business clients across Arizona,” said Lundy. “Our customers will always be at the core of Alliance Bank of Arizona, and Don Garner brings tremendous credentials and great experience to the task of leading this client-focused organization.”
Lundy has made significant contributions to the broader business community in Arizona. He is past chair and current board member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), immediate past Chair of the Catholic Community Foundation, Secretary of the Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation and recently completed a three year term on the FDIC Community Banking Advisory Council. He was also past Chair of the Arizona Bankers Association. Lundy also has helped spearhead the issue of high-quality, accessible education across the state.
“I have had the personal privilege to have worked with Jim since 1991; he has been a great mentor and partner to me and for many others at Western Alliance,” said Robert Sarver, Chairman and CEO of Western Alliance Bancorporation. “Jim led the formation of Alliance Bank and its growth for the last 13 years. His myriad talents and true commitment have helped us to build an exceptional banking enterprise, and Jim’s strong leadership and integrity also have shaped his active involvement in the civic and business life of our community. We would not be where we are today without Jim and I am very grateful for his service.”
Don Garner has been a commercial and real estate banker in Arizona for 26 years and previously served as Executive Vice President and statewide Real Estate Manager for Alliance Bank of Arizona’s commercial and residential lending group. Garner started his career at Valley National Bank in 1990 and has been with Alliance Bank since its inception in 2003.
“As the new CEO of Alliance Bank of Arizona, Don is an outstanding banker with a deep and successful history with our company,” said Sarver. “I am very pleased to be able to fill this key leadership position from within our own ranks.”
“Taking the reins at this outstanding banking organization is an honor for me, and I will work to bring leadership that follows Jim Lundy’s example of valuing individual contributions, entrepreneurial thinking and knowledgeable, locally committed banking,” said Garner. “I am very much looking forward to this exciting opportunity.”
Garner is active in the Phoenix community. He is a member of the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP) and the Urban Land Institute. Garner served on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association and was a member of the 2016 Phoenix Heart Walk Board.
Prior to relocating to Phoenix in 2005, Garner resided in Tucson for 15 years. He is the past president of the Tucson Conquistadores and former chairman of La Paloma Family Services in Tucson. He served on the boards of the Pima County Real Estate Research Council and the Metropolitan Pima Alliance.
About Alliance Bank of Arizona
Alliance Bank of Arizona is a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, the go-to bank for business in its growing markets. Founded in 2003 by Arizona natives Robert Sarver, James Lundy and other local banking experts, Alliance Bank of Arizona offers a full spectrum of deposit, lending, treasury management, international banking and online banking products and services, plus superior service to meet the needs of local businesses. With 10 offices in Greater Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff, along with Western Alliance Bank’s robust national platform of specialized financial services, the banking division is a valued partner for Arizona’s business, real estate, professional, municipal and nonprofit communities. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. With $17 billion in assets, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL) is one of the fastest-growing bank holding companies in the U.S. and recognized as #10 on the Forbes 2016 “Best Banks in America” list. For more information, visit www.alliancebankofarizona.com.
About Western Alliance Bank
With $17 billion in assets, top-performing Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the fastest-growing bank holding companies in the U.S. and recognized as #10 on the Forbes 2016 “Best Banks in America” list. Its primary subsidiary, Western Alliance Bank, is the go-to bank for business and succeeds with local teams of experienced bankers who deliver superior service and a full spectrum of deposit, lending, treasury management, international banking and online banking products and services. Western Alliance Bank operates full-service banking divisions: Alliance Bank of Arizona, Bank of Nevada, Bridge Bank, First Independent Bank and Torrey Pines Bank. The bank also serves business customers through a robust national platform of specialized financial services including Corporate Finance, Equity Fund Resources, Hotel Franchise Finance, Life Sciences Group, Mortgage Warehouse Lending, Public and Nonprofit Finance, Renewable Resource Group, Resort Finance, Technology Finance and Alliance Association Bank. For more information, visit westernalliancebank.com.
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