HPBGO - Key Persons
Aaron is a Colorado native and grew up in Boulder. He has a Bachelor's of Science degrees in Management and in Finance along with a diploma in Commercial Lending. Aaron works with the lending team and our customers to ensure an excellent experience from start to finish.
In his spare time Aaron loves golf, hockey, and running. He has recently started swimming and biking with the hope to complete in a full Ironman triathlon in the future! He is also often found traveling.
Job Titles:
- Customer Support Representative
Originally from Sierra Vista, Arizona, Abbey has lived in various parts of the country, including Hawaii and now Colorado. In her free time she enjoys horseback riding, gardening, playing video games, and spending time with her pets. She has worked in customer service for over three years. Although this is Abbey's first banking role, she is very eager to learn. She is excited to contribute to the growth and success of High Plains and become an integral part of the local community.
Aimee is a Colorado native who loves to go camping and fishing in the Rocky Mountains with her three kids and husband. With over 18 years of experience in the banking and lending industry, Aimee has held roles as a teller, consumer loan officer, mortgage loan officer and mortgage loan processor. As a loan officer and loan processor, she has developed a deep understanding of loan documentation and compliance. Aimee is excited to join the Doc Prep team and contribute her expertise to the bank's success.
Job Titles:
- Director of Employee Experience
Alison has a BS in Film from the University of Texas and worked in the film industry before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She joined the High Plains Bank team after receiving a nudge from one of her English as a Second Language (ESL) students when she was a volunteer teacher. She loves having the opportunity to support others to grow and achieve in her role at High Plains Bank. When not working, she enjoys reading, biking, playing games and watching movies with family.
Andre has 15+ years of banking experience and most recently served as CFO with a local multi-national food manufacturing company. He is thrilled to be a part of High Plains Bank, a true community bank focused on supporting the local economy, its customers and employees.
Andre has a Business Management degree from the College of St. Scholastica and a MBA degree from Colorado State University. He is the past Treasurer of Boulder Voices for Children, Women's Wilderness and was the Secretary for the Boulder Young Professionals. He currently serves on the Finance Committee of Boulder Voices for Children. He spends his free time with his family and enjoys winter sports and traveling.
Bill Smellage grew up in Longmont, and he graduated from Skyline High School. He attended CSU and the University of Phoenix to earn a degree in Business Management. Bill has had the opportunity to work for local community financial institutions since his first banking position as a teller in high school. He has been involved with many community organizations over the years, and these include multiple Chambers, Longmont Baseball League, Boy Scouts of America and Longmont Twin Peaks Rotary.
Bob Stewart is an accomplished business person and community leader who has called the Strasburg-Bennett area home for 30+ years. Bob is a builder, rancher and aviator. He has developed deep relationships with people throughout this market. Bob and his wife Sara are long-time customers and significant bank shareholders.
"I am available on customer hours, not banking hours," says Bob. "My cell phone number is on my business cards and I'm available to customers when you need to talk. I am excited to help our communities continue to grow in my new role as a banker."
Job Titles:
- Chief Experience Officer
- Chief Transformation Officer
Brian spent 15 years working as a quality engineer and engineering manager for companies like AMD and Netflix. Today, he is the Chief Experience Officer at High Plains Bank, with a passion for augmenting relationship based banking through technology. As a self described "non-banker", Brian believes that winning the moment of need requires compassionate problem solving, and smart innovation.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Brittney is excited to embark on her new career in banking, a field that aligns with her enthusiasm for problem-solving and analytical thinking. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the lake, where she finds tranquility and inspiration. Her passion for animals is reflected in her life with highland cows, goats, dogs, and cats, all of whom bring joy and unique perspective to her everyday experiences. As she starts this new chapter in banking, she looks forward to applying her skills and dedication to making a positive impact in the industry.
Brooke was born and raised in Wiggins, and she still calls it home. She attended Wiggins High School, Morgan Community College and Aims Community College. Brooke enjoys anything that gets her outdoors including camping, fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling. She also enjoys reading, crafting, and hanging out with her little family.
Caleb was born and raised in Wiggins. He is the son of Rocky and Cindy Cardwell. He attended York College in York, Nebraska where he played baseball and received a bachelor's degree in business. What Caleb loves most about being part of High Plains Bank is the bank's willingness to go above and beyond for customers and their community involvement.
In his free time, Caleb enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and watching Rockies baseball.
Casey is a Colorado native, who spends her free time with her many animals, fishing, camping, or (attempting to) renovate her early 1900's farm house. Banking was a career shift that she was very enthusiastic about, and highly encouraged, to make. Joining the High Plains Bank team has been a dream come true. She is very excited to grow with this amazing company who stands by the motto "We Do the Right Things and We Do Things Right."
Casey graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver in 2020 with a B.S. in Management and Information Systems after only two and a half years and went on to obtain his M.S. in Finance from UCD a year later. Most of his professional career has been in the restaurant industry with the last five years in banking, specifically in credit analysis and risk management. The switch to credit management and High Plains Bank stems from Casey is passionate about financial literacy and stability and is grateful for the opportunity to help others realize their financial goals, whether through financial education or discovering that "right fit" product or service.
He loves working at High Plains because "the team makes me feel especially valued and empowers me to perform at the highest level possible, as well as the community focus and innovative approach to craft banking."
Christina has a strong banking background with experience at both community banks and credit unions. She processes loans in a timely and low-stress manner to ensure an excellent experience for our loan customers. Christina is a member of Lattes and Leads networking group and is a 2017 graduate of The Leadership Longmont Class. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Dan brings an extensive background in banking to his role as Credit Officer at High Plains Bank with many of those years in business banking. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Metro State University with a minor in Philosophy, and a MBA in Finance and Accounting from Regis University. Dan is a proud Colorado native, having grown up in the Longmont/Johnstown/Platteville areas and he currently lives in Longmont. He has chosen to work at High Plains Bank because it is a "true community bank which supports my home town."
Prior to joining High Plains Bank, Dani had been in the mortgage industry since 1989. She is the proud mother of three, but technically six including her three dogs. Dani loves to spend time in the outdoors camping and fishing, as well as DIY projects, decorating her home and feeding her passion for old and new automobiles. Dani is thrilled to be headed in a new banking direction and working for High Plains Bank.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Technology Audit and Advisory at Protiviti
Daniel O'Leary is a Director of Technology Audit and Advisory at Protiviti, a global consulting firm. He has more than 15 years of experience leading information technology (IT) audit, internal controls, risk management, and compliance activities from roles in Big 4 public accounting, industry, and consulting. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Texas and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Daniel lives in Houston, Texas and enjoys spending time with his wife, Kirstin, and their three children, including coaching his children in basketball and soccer.
Debbie enjoys helping her friends and neighbors with their banking needs. Debbie has a military family background and her dad served in the Navy. They moved around a bit and she has lived in California, Virginia Beach and Colorado. She was born on the island of Saipan, which is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific. In 1984, Debbie's family settled down in Wiggins where she and her husband, an Army veteran, raised their family.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Diana graduated from Skyline High School and has studied at Front Range Community College. Her customer service background includes the Tree Farm, Sam's Club, Super Target, and now at High Plains Bank. She finds being a customer service representative is interesting and she enjoys the welcoming work environment and learning about the community.
Diana was born in Mexico but raised in the United States. She has lived in Wiggins since 2000. She graduated Wiggins High School in 2005 and worked at Your Choice Meats processing plant from 2005-2014. Diana joined the High Plains Bank team in 2014 as a customer service representative, worked as a Loan Processor, a Consumer Lender, and now in Document Preparation. Diana enjoys spending time with her kids and reading.
Dylan began his professional journey while studying at Front Range Community College and working at H&M. He quickly developed a strong work ethic and a passion for growth. This led to a significant career step as a Market Expansion Manager at H&M, where he was responsible for strategic market development and implementation. Seeking to leverage his skills in a new industry, he made a successful transition to Zillow Group. Within this innovative environment, he joined a dedicated team focused on the critical task of building new lead generation initiatives for Zillow Home Loans and our Advisor teams. Now, Dylan is excited to bring his experience to High Plains Bank, an institution whose admirable commitment to the community deeply resonates with his values. He looks forward to contributing to the bank's continued success and community impact.
Job Titles:
- Customer Support Representative
Edith is a Colorado native. She attended Community College of Denver. She previously worked for Fidelity Investments as a 401k representative and also works part-time for a small business named Wander and Graze, which makes charcuterie boards. Edith choses to work at High Plains Bank because she loves that the bank works alongside the community and supports small businesses.
Job Titles:
- Employee Experience Partner
Emma is a proud sixth-generation Jayhawk, following in her family's footsteps at the University of Kansas where she studied Anthropology. Emma holds a Master's in Teaching from Northeastern University and has experience in various educational settings, including leadership training and classroom instruction in history. Her family has been a part of High Plains Bank since its founding, and she is excited to continue their legacy of service alongside the dedicated team who serve our Colorado communities.
Job Titles:
- Employee of High Plains Bank
- Wiggins Market President
Esther has been an employee of High Plains Bank since September 1979. She was fortunate enough to take some time off in the early 80's to be home with her growing family. In 1997 she came back to the organization full time and has been blessed to be working here ever since. She appreciates the flexibility that she has with HPB and being able to continue to help on the family farm and spend time with her sons and their families.
Grace is a Colorado native and a 2024 graduate of Colorado State University, where she earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics. She is eager to build her career with High Plains Bank, an organization that shares her commitment to fostering thriving small communities. With a strong passion for agriculture, she is particularly interested in expanding her knowledge in agricultural lending.
Heather attended Brighton High School and, together with her husband, have raised their three boys in Keenesburg. She worked in the insurance industry for 20 year before starting at High Plains Bank, where before becoming the Operations Assistant, she worked as a Customer Service Representative. Heather is a member of the local American Legion and the Secretary for the Keenesburg Chamber.
Heather enjoys sports, crafting and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Administration Manager
Ilene began her banking career in 1990 when High Plains Bank was The First National Bank of Flagler. She has been involved with and witnessed many changes over the years in her various roles at the bank. She currently works in the administrative/compliance side of the bank after years of being part of the customer service team. She loves the feeling of family and community that is part of the philosophy of High Plains Bank and is proud to be a part of the organization.
Job Titles:
- Director of Customer Support
Isabel grew up in Rifle, Colorado and moved to Hudson, CO in 2017. She comes with 15 years of customer service experience. She enjoys the world of banking because she loves helping people. Isabel is happily married and has two sons and a daughter. When she isn't working you can find her at kids' sporting events or on a hiking trail with her family.
Jackie has experience working in the Mortgage Loan Industry for over seven years in various roles such as Marketing Assistant, Mortgage Loan Officer Assistant, and Loan Setup Coordinator.
Janet was born and raised in Wiggins and has worked in banking for 35+ years. She loves working for High Plains Bank because of the focus on serving our local communities. She enjoys spending time with family, gardening, fishing and traveling.
Jared was born and raised in Flagler, Colorado. He attended Colorado State University where he double majored in Agriculture Business and Soil & Crop Sciences. Upon graduation, Jared moved back to Flagler and worked for the Stratton CO-OP in Burlington, Colorado as an agronomist. He also worked for five years as an insurance agent and manager of Gordon Insurance in Flagler, before joining High Plains Bank. In his spare time, Jared helps out with the family farm and cattle operation, plays golf, hangs out with friends, and enjoys watching college sports.
Job Titles:
- Integration / Chief Operations Officer
- Integration / Operations
Jenna is an experienced professional in manufacturing and distribution, specializing in process improvement and leadership. With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management from North Dakota State University, she has built a diverse career spanning several key roles. She has successfully led teams in HR, operations, systems, and business excellence, navigating change management to streamline operations, improve quality, and drive positive results during her time with Cargill, Celestial Seasonings, Dawn Foods, and Nite Ize, Inc. Today, she serves as the Integrator and Chief Operating Officer at High Plains Bank.
Jenna values building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative environment that empowers teams to navigate challenges and achieve exceptional outcomes. She takes a customized approach to meet each employee's or customer's needs, finding commonalities to streamline processes into sustainable solutions. She has successfully guided companies through technology transformations and built strong leadership teams to navigate change. A lifelong learner, Jenna enjoys applying her knowledge to improve the lives of those around her. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening, canning, and practicing yoga.
Jocelyn Gilligan grew up in Boulder, Colorado. After graduating with a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, she commenced her career at Ernst & Young in New York City, later expanding her expertise in Shanghai and Hong Kong. During this time, she earned the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter and eventually the CIPM (Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement) designation. Following her time abroad, Jocelyn relocated to Longmont, Colorado, with her husband where they co-founded a successful consulting business that aids investment firms in complying with the Global Investment Performance Standards, a framework for calculating and presenting investment performance according to a set of transparent and ethical principles. She and her team have worked with hundreds of investment firms around the world to help them comply with these global standards.
Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, she is a member of the Board of Education for the St. Vrain Valley School District and serves as Treasurer. Jocelyn also serves as an executive board member of the Central Elementary PTO. Currently, she and her husband are raising their four children in Longmont, Colorado where they enjoy a very active lifestyle in the Colorado outdoors.
John serves on the boards of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority; the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley, and the Imagine! Foundation. He is past president of the St. Vrain Valley Board of Education. John and his wife, Joni, have called Longmont home since 2001, where they raised their children Emma, Joe and Ada Grace - all of whom are proud Jayhawks. John is a graduate of Kansas University and Harvard's Kennedy School.
Jon Smithburg grew up near Flagler, Colorado where High Plains Bank opened its doors in 1908. Jon has been instrumental in building the IT and Cybersecurity programs at the bank since he joined the team as the first IT Officer in 2004. He currently serves as the Director of Cybersecurity and is passionate about using technology to empower others. His vision and guidance over the past 20 years enables High Plains Bank to support employees and customers in innovative, safe, and sustainable ways as the world of technology and banking changes. In addition to Jon's technical expertise, he operates a 5000-acre family farm with his wife and parents, bringing valuable insight into the needs of our agricultural customers. Outside of the bank and the farm, Jon volunteers his time to support his community in many ways including: Flagler School District Technology Director, Immanuel Lutheran Church Board Secretary, City of Flagler Zoning Board Secretary, and a Gift of Life Foundation Board Member. Jon has a degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University and enjoys nothing more than spending time with his wife and three kids.
Julie Duran earned her Bachelor's degree in Economics from the South Colombian University in Colombia. Her banking career began in 2021, gaining experience as a Mortgage Coordinator, Treasury Management Officer, and Loan Officer in Northern Colorado. This diverse background provides her with a strong understanding of banking operations and customer service. Julie chose High Plains Bank because of her desire to be part of a community-focused institution, where she can build relationships and contribute to the local economy. Outside of work, she enjoys Colorado's outdoors, spending summers hiking and winters skiing. Julie is excited to grow professionally and make a positive impact at High Plains Bank.
Karin attended Metro State University and graduated with a psychology degree. She began her work life in the stock market, then became a mortgage broker and then worked as an operations manager at a title company that included title examiner duties.
She chose High Plains Bank because she wanted to work in her community and she wanted to get back into finance. What she likes most about the bank is the family environment; a place where everybody knows your name. Karin stays busy with her three daughters. They love to camp, go boating and game/movie nights.
Karissa grew up in Fargo, North Dakota which is also where she started her banking career in 2007 as a Teller. Karissa graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She moved to Colorado in 2009 and has been part of the High Plain Bank team since 2015.
When Karissa is not at work you can find her spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Karla grew up in Guanajuato, Mexico until she was 9 years old; Wiggins has been her home ever since. Karla graduated from Wiggins High School in 2013. After graduation, she worked in several customer service positions before starting as a Customer Service Representative with High Plains Bank. Karla also attends Morgan Community College where she is working towards getting her associate's degree.
She enjoys spending time with her three children, her husband and the rest of the family. She loves that HPB is a very family based company which allows her to be there for her family.
Kary has been with High Plains Bank since 2004. As a Flagler local, Kary feels a strong sense of alignment with High Plains Bank's shared community values. She is passionate about providing excellent service and loves working with personal and business customers.
Kathy's background is in accounting and she has run several businesses. She even opened a brand new restaurant in Waipahu, Hawaii. Kathy began working at High Plains Bank in 2012 and appreciates working for a company that truly cares about their customers and their needs. She loves helping people and is very active in her church and her community.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Kayleigh recently moved to Colorado from Hudson, Massachusetts. Her passion for customer service began early, working at a local farm all throughout high school. She joined the banking industry in 2020 and is excited to be part of the High Plains Bank family. Kayleigh is drawn to the bank's commitment to community outreach and its warm, family-like atmosphere.
Kimberlee McKee is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in economic development, marketing and community engagement. Currently, Kimberlee serves as Executive Director of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority in Longmont, Colorado, where she has served since 2011. She is dedicated to promoting the growth and vibrancy of Longmont's downtown district through public-private partnerships, strategic initiatives and community engagement.
Before relocating to Colorado, Kimberlee played a vital role in downtown revitalization efforts at the Downtown Akron Partnership in Akron, Ohio, where she helped lead marketing and development strategies that supported local businesses and fostered a strong sense of community.
She started her career in Higher Education at Mount Union College in the public relations office, where she focused on recruitment, advancement and alumni communications. She moved into non-profit marketing at Goodwill Industries, where she managed marketing and communications for a five county region for retail, employment and training. She later became the operations director for the inaugural Akron Marathon race.
Kimberlee holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Ohio University.
In addition to her professional work, Kimberlee volunteers with Downtown Colorado, Inc., helping to support economic development initiatives for downtown areas across the state. She also contributes her time to Longmont High School and serves on the Board of Directors of Visit Longmont.
Kimberlee was honored with the 2023 Downtowner of the Year Award, from Downtown Colorado, Inc.
Kirk has been in banking for over 20 years and has extensive experience in agriculture, commercial, residential lending and 504 SBA loans. Kirk enjoys working with his customers to help them grow their business and takes the extra effort to provide solutions that best suit the unique needs of each customer.
Kirk enjoys spending time with his family, camping, riding his ATV, and working on remodel projects around the house. Kirk is also involved in local civic/service organizations.
Job Titles:
- Keenesburg Market President
Krista grew up on a 5th generation dryland farm and ranch with her two sisters near Arriba, in Eastern Colorado. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2008 with a BS degree in Agribusiness and Animal Science and began her banking career in 2009. Along with her husband, Matt and his family, they operate a sixth generation irrigated farm near Hudson where they are raising two kids, cows, hay and corn. Krista serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Weld County Chamber of Commerce, CCA Building Committee and Weld Central Business Advisory Committee.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Krystal is a Colorado native who lived in Texas for a while then found her way back to Colorado. She settled down in Wiggins and attended Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan. Krystal joined High Plains Bank in 2018 bringing a wealth of customer service experience with her. When not working, she enjoys music, reading and spending time with her family.
Linda has lived in Wiggins since 1972, when her family moved from Lafayette, Colorado. In addition to graduating from the Wiggins School District, she continued on to work for them for an additional 22 years while living on the farm. After her four daughters graduated from Wiggins High School, she decided to make High Plains Bank her career choice. In her spare time, she likes hanging out with her family, sewing, fishing, and camping.
With 18 years of experience in the banking industry, Lindsay has worked in a variety of roles within a branch including Teller, Teller Supervisor, Branch Manager and Regional Manager. After many years working in retail banking, Lindsay now works in Lending Support at High Plains Bank, as a Credit Analyst. Lindsay was drawn to High Plains Bank's commitment to supporting the local community and she values their personalized approach to business lending. She appreciates High Plains Bank's passion for fostering strong relationships with local businesses and contributing to the economic growth and success of the regions they serve. Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her family and exploring Colorado's natural beauty.
Lindsey has lived in Colorado since 2006 and has years of banking and customer service experience. She works with the Processing team helping to keep the workflow going smoothly for wire transfers, online banking, stop payments and more. She is glad to be a part of the HPB team. She likes being outdoors and spends her free time hiking, fishing, biking and paddle boarding with her son.
Job Titles:
- Campaigns and Communications Specialist
Lisa is energized to be part of the High Plains Bank Customer Experience Team. In this role, Lisa brings a number of years in marketing, communications, media and community relations, as well as writing in the education, entertainment, and non-profit arenas. Lisa holds a Bachelor's of Science in Theatre from Northwestern University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing and Poetics from Naropa University.
Lisa volunteers with Intercambio and the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation, and is a published writer and professional storyteller. Lisa's professional passion is centered on community and is the reason why she chose to join High Plains Bank.
Job Titles:
- Keenesburg Support Manager
Liz has been in banking for a decade and before joining the High Plains Bank team, she was a consultant and financial service coordinator for Canvas Credit Union. A Colorado native, Liz enjoys the outdoor lifestyle with her family and is a CrossFit athlete. She loves financial services and can't wait to see what she is able to accomplish here at High Plains Bank.
Lynn brings with her 20+ years of loan experience to High Plains Bank. Lynn moved to Colorado about 15 years ago and lives outside of Brighton with her husband and two rescue dogss, Trinka and Maisey. She and her husband love spending time in the mountains in their camper or kayaking a little closer to home on Barr Lake.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
- Customer Support Representative
Marcus is a native of Byers, Colorado. He spends his free time avidly reading and collecting books as well as spending time in the mountains with his family. Marcus is excited to be bringing his decade of customer service experience to the High Plains Bank team. He is excited to grow with this amazing company and support our community.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Maribel is a Denver, Colorado native and graduated from Colorado Mesa University. During college, she helped to establish the Colorado Mesa University Food Recovery program, ultimately saving at least two tons of food that was then distributed to local churches and shelters. She brings her love of education and community to her role at High Plains Bank.
Mary was born and raised in the Flagler community. She began her banking career in 1986 in the bookkeeping department and is now responsible for maintaining the Bank's investments, regulatory reporting and heads up the HPB Community Investment program. In her spare time, Mary enjoys yard work, entertaining and helping out with the family farm and cattle operation.
Michelle graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and ten years later moved to Colorado, Her background is in marketing and community building in the consumer packaged goods and real estate development industries. In 2013, she joined High Plains Bank to help open the Longmont location.
Michelle loves that her responsibility is to work with stakeholders and strengthen community. Michelle enjoys the Colorado lifestyle and loves gathering with family and friends, live music, yoga, travel and anything outdoors.
Mickie is a life-long banker, beginning as a part-time teller in a small South-Central Kansas community. Over the course of her banking career, Mickie has held front-line retail and management positions, commercial and consumer lending positions, accounting responsibilities, Retail Compliance Manager, and as a Compliance Officer. Mickie earned the Certified Regulatory Compliance Management (CRCM) in February of 2019 and continues educational opportunities to maintain this certification.
Mickie is highly involved in her church, and has held positions with the Finance Team, Staff-Parish-Relations Team, Administrative Council, Worship Committee, and choir member. In 2019 Mickie was appointed as a Certified Lay Speaker, and also provides pulpit supply support, frequently for Community United Methodist Church, Keenesburg as well as her home church of Brighton United Methodist Church. Mickie received Special Mission Recognition from United Methodist Women in 2015 and 2019 for the gift of ministry with women, children and youth. Mickie is a BOD for Methodists-Helping-Methodists Foundation and volunteers for A Hand Up Foundation at Coyote Creek (located in Keenesburg).
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Mikayla is a lifelong resident of the Keenesburg community, where her family has farmed and ranched for five generations. Deeply involved in her community, she serves on the Alumni and Friends of Weld Central FFA board and helps with local events such as the sale at fair. Growing up, Mikayla was an active athlete and rodeoed, a passion she continues to cherish.
She currently resides in Hudson with her husband, Brek, and their pets which include dogs, a cat, horses, and cows. When not lending a hand on the family farm and ranch, Mikayla enjoys traveling with Brek, reading good books, and tending to her garden. She leads a busy yet fulfilling life, balancing her family responsibilities with her rewarding career at High Plains Bank.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Miriam started her customer service journey in high school working in a small boutique and then moved onto Target as the head Guest Service Advocate (GSA) back in 2017. She trained in every department and found she most enjoyed the cash counting department. Miriam has found the best of both worlds at High Plains Bank as a Customer Service Representative/Teller. Most of all, she loves that High Plains Bank works so closely with the community she calls home.
Nancy Taylor is a long-time Strasburg, Colorado resident who has served as the Chief Financial Officer for Strasburg School District for the past three years. Before this, Nancy served as Chief Compliance Officer for nearly twenty-five years at two large banking organizations. Nancy's banking experience includes various capacities including regulatory compliance, risk management, operations, and internal controls. Nancy is an active member of her community serving in various capacities in her church and also serving on the Strasburg School Board from 2011-2018. Nancy continues to hold her Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager certification and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Colorado State University Global.
Job Titles:
- Longmont Market President
Narciso has served at a senior leadership level with over 17-years of commercial banking experience, specifically within Boulder County. Prior to joining High Plains Bank, he was Senior Vice President and Boulder Market Leader for Citywide Banks, Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at Commerce Bank for the Middle Market team, as well as First Vice President for MidFirst Bank, and Senior Vice President for Colorado business Bank. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder and earned an MBA in Accounting and Finance from Regis University.
"I'm a proud Boulder, Colorado native and am excited to join the High Plains Bank family," says Narciso. "High Plains Bank is an authentic community bank that prioritizes family and community, and as a Longmont resident, and new father, these values are important to me."
Quinton Kopang has more than three years of banking experience mostly as a Credit Analyst/Reviewer. Quinton has also spent time as a teller and in the bookkeeping department. He has a Business Management Degree and a Certificate of Supply Chain from Colorado State University- Fort Collins. Quinton is thrilled to be able to return to his hometown of Bennett, and is looking forward to being able to work in the Bennett community and grow his banking knowledge with High Plains Bank. Before getting into banking, Quinton spent time landscaping (in Colorado) and pipelining (in Nebraska). He enjoys spending time with his nieces and nephew, cheering on the Denver Broncos, and spending time outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations Development
Renee started her banking career with High Plains Bank in 2000 working in the Flagler location as a Teller. She transferred to the Bennett location in 2004. Renee has worked in all areas of Operations, and now manages the day-to day functions of the Operations team to keep the bank running seamlessly. She also enjoys the different special projects that come her way as we innovate new products and ways to better serve our customers.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Rose supports our customers and engages with the community to provide financial services and education. She is vested in her community and has involved herself in many local nonprofits. She has a BA degree from Colorado State University, plus 25 years of financial institution experience. Rose chose High Plains Bank because it's a place she can believe in and a genuine community bank that cares about its customers and their needs.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- President
Sam is a Colorado native and he completed his undergraduate degree in Durango. For almost 25 years, Sam worked at the Texas-based Bohannon Development Corporation, a company that designed, built and managed large apartment complexes. In 2019, Sam and his wife Danye moved to Longmont so he could join the HPB team as Chief Administrative Officer. Sam is currently the Chairman and President of the High Plains Bank.
Sam enjoys running, cycling and looks forward to getting back into skiing and trying snow shoeing.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Technology Leader
Stephanie Benes is a highly respected technology leader with more than 20 years of experience driving product development,
IT modernization and strategic initiatives for a leading healthcare information consultancy. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, managing sprints and executing complex projects, Benes is passionate about developing solutions that solve business problems. She is eager to leverage her technology expertise to help the bank continue to evolve, adapt, innovate, remain a trusted partner for High Plains Bank's customers and communities across Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Administration Support / Loan Quality Control
Stephanie graduated from Longmont High School and completed her a degree in Financial Management from the University of Colorado, Denver. She enjoys working for High Plains Bank because they care. They care about their employees, customers, and communities. When she is not working or attending classes, Stephanie enjoys traveling, reading and watching movies.
Stephanie graduated from Longmont High School and is pursuing a degree in Financial Management from the University of Colorado Denver. She enjoys working for High Plains Bank because they care. They care about their employees, customers, and communities. When she is not working or attending classes, Stephanie enjoys traveling, reading and watching movies.
Job Titles:
- Relationship Manager
- Relationship Management
TJ grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado. He attended Colorado State University where he received a dual major with degrees in Agricultural Business and Soil & Crop Sciences. Prior to joining High Plains Bank, TJ served as a loan officer with Bank of Colorado. In TJ's free time, he enjoys skiing, hiking, and most of all triathlons.
Todd began his banking career in 1998, working for banks of all sizes and he is glad to finally be a part of a local community bank. Todd is an underwriter and enjoys helping our Loan Officers put together the best options for our customers.
When not working, Todd loves to work on cars, house projects or out enjoying all the great outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Vice Chairman
- Economist
Tom Creighton is an economist with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Yale University. He is the Vice Chairman of High Plains Bank and served as Chairman of the High Plains Bank Board for more than 20 years. Tom is Alex Creighton's grandson. Tom is also chairman of a non-profit theater training company. He is a native of Denver, and an avid skier, climber, and hiker.
Virginia Newton grew up in Denver, Colorado and is a member of the third generation of Creightons involved at High Plains Bank. She holds a degree in Geology from Yale University and a degree in Education from Regis University. She is retired from operations roles for nonprofit and government organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley, the area from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards holding leadership positions. Virginia and her husband Rick have three grown children. She resides part-time in Snowmass, Colorado and Indian Wells, California.
Job Titles:
- Customer Support Representative
Ximena spent her youth in both Mexico and Colorado and now has settled down in Colorado with her husband. Ximena is a life-long learner and loves to help our customers with prompt and friendly service.