With decades of experience, First National’s dedicated leadership team is instrumental in fulfilling the bank’s mission, vision and values. Our commitment to fostering a distinctive workplace culture and sustaining dedication to the community has earned First National the recognition of Best Bank in the state and Best Place to Work by Alaska Business magazine readers.
Betsy Lawer
Lawer shapes the bank’s vision, strategies and goals today and moving forward. As a third-generation Alaskan banker, Lawer grew up with many of Alaska’s business and community leaders. She learned the banking business literally at her father’s knee, earned her economics degree from Duke University, and returned in 1974 to work her way up to the leadership position she holds today. Lawer previously served on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Board of Directors and their Audit Committee. She currently serves on the Smithsonian Alumni Board.
Darren Franz
Franz brings decades of banking experience to First National. During his career, Franz has successfully overseen the management of retail and business banking in 16 Alaska communities with broad geographic, economic, and cultural diversity. As President – Lending and Administration, Franz oversees the Corporate Lending Administration Division, Combined Branch & Corporate Services Division, Treasury Management, Anchorage Branch Administration & Escrow Division, and Central Administration Division. Franz holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics and is a graduate of the renowned Pacific Coast Banking School. He is a board member of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance and the University of Alaska Foundation Finance and Audit Committee.
Phil Griffin
Griffin began his banking career in the early 1980s after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He arrived in Alaska after holding Chief Information Officer positions in California and Nevada. Griffin oversees First National’s Information Technology Division and plays a key role in business continuity planning. He is responsible for the bank’s information technology strategic planning, implementation and security, core and item processing systems, network services, software solutions and support, card services, card processing systems, ATMs and online banking.
Karl Heinz
Heinz is proud to be the main character in a home-grown Alaska success story. He grew up in the Great Land and has lived in communities across the state. His deep understanding of Alaska, how it works and the people who live here, make him a valued member of First National’s senior executive management team. Heinz joined the bank in 2003. Today, the graduate of the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School oversees First National’s Combined Branch & Corporate Services Division, including all branches outside Anchorage and the Mortgage Lending Department. Heinz’s involvement in numerous volunteer organizations has given him a great appreciation for the importance of giving back to the many communities First National serves.
Elaine Kroll
In her more than 30 years as an Alaska banking expert, Kroll has excelled in a variety of positions in marketing, human resources, training, branch and business relationship management. A graduate of State University of New York at Fredonia and the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School, Kroll earned the designation of Certified Treasury Professional. She leverages her decades of experience to ensure First National customers receive exceptional service and customized solutions. Kroll oversees the bank’s Treasury Management, Anchorage Branch Administration & Escrow Division. She serves on the boards of United Way of Anchorage, Bean’s Café and Anchorage East Rotary, and is a member of the Alaska Bankers’ Association.
Steven Patin
With more than two decades as a U.S. Army officer and 14 years of executive experience in the public and private sectors, Patin knows the value of a strong team. As Senior Administrative Director, Patin oversees First National’s Central Administration Division, including Human Resources, Compliance, Corporate Communications & Customer Experience departments and Audit. His steadfast commitment to more than 600 employees exemplifies why the bank has been voted the Best Place to Work in Alaska by Alaska Business magazine readers since 2016. Patin received a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science and Systems Engineering from West Point. He holds master’s degrees in human resources management from Troy University and administration and supervision from Auburn University. Patin earned his doctorate in business administration from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Michele Schuh
A third-generation banker and second-generation First National banker, Schuh brings more than 40 years of finance and leadership experience to her role as Chief Financial Officer. She directs the bank’s Financial Division, encompassing a wide variety of functions including treasury and securities portfolio management, financial and regulatory reporting, income tax compliance, real estate and facilities operations, financial risk management, and shareholder relations. Schuh is a graduate of the University of Washington and the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School. She serves on various Alaska nonprofit boards, focusing on strengthening their financial stability.
Chad Steadman
Raised on the Kenai Peninsula, Steadman has a deep understanding of Alaskans’ unique financial needs. As the head of First National’s Corporate Lending Administration Division, Steadman uses his expertise in commercial underwriting and lending to coach and lead the bank’s skilled corporate lending bankers. He is instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the Central Loan Processing & Servicing Department, ensuring quality, efficiency and excellence in service delivery. Steadman uses his banking knowledge to enrich Alaska communities by working shoulder-to-shoulder with local businesses and teaching construction finance management courses at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). He holds a Bachelor’s in Finance from Utah State University and a Master of Business Administration from UAA. Steadman is an alumnus of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
Denise Brown Robinson
Brown Robinson brings more than 25 years of expertise in marketing and communications to her role as Corporate Communications & Customer Experience Director. A lifelong Alaskan, she leads the bank’s Business Development, Customer Experience, and Marketing teams, driving strategic and impactful initiatives that enhance customer engagement and brand loyalty. Under her leadership, First National has gained national acclaim for its branding, promotional and Centennial Celebration campaigns. Brown Robinson has also been instrumental in advancing the bank’s Branch Re-Engineering and Digital Adoption initiatives, enhancing service delivery, innovation and customer satisfaction.
Rick Flake
A graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage, Flake grew up in Montana and has lived and worked in Alaska for more than 40 years. He began his career as a teller and, over the course of 35 years in local banking, gained the wealth of financial expertise he now uses to oversee Credit Administration, Collateral Valuation and Special Credits at First National. Flake’s success stems from a genuine desire to help customers succeed.
Dustin Hofeling
From a young age, Hofeling showed an interest in banking by sorting out the dollar bills in his allowance by serial number and Federal Reserve districts. His attention later turned to information technology. With more than 20 years of banking experience, Hofeling oversees First National’s core processing systems and technical support. He leads a team that plays an integral role in the development and implementation of the bank’s online and mobile banking solutions. Hofeling holds a bachelor’s in computer science, a master’s in business administration and is a graduate of the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School.
Tiffany Hoogerhyde
Hoogerhyde brings more than 20 years of management and leadership experience to First National. As Controller, Hoogerhyde is responsible for reporting financial information to the bank’s Board of Directors, managers and the public. Her expertise helps First National’s relationship bankers meet the short- and long-term financial goals of each customer. Hoogerhyde is a Certified Public Accountant in Alaska and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Ligia Lutan
Lutan leverages more than two decades of experience in business banking and residential and commercial real estate lending, specializing in tax credit financing. She leads a team of lenders committed to fostering strong banking relationships and supporting Alaska businesses and communities with their lending needs. A graduate of the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School, she also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Law. Lutan values the unique opportunities Alaska offers as a place to live and do business. In 2023, she was honored as the Board Member of the Year by Junior Achievement of Alaska and continues to serve on its board. Lutan is also a member of the board for Anchorage Home Builders Association.
D’Ava Marsh
Known for her strong work ethic and commitment to excellence, Marsh’s more than 35 years of banking experience started in 1982 as a teller at First National. Today, she oversees the bank’s centralized loan documentation, loan processing and loan servicing department, ensuring the bank’s consumer and commercial loans are completed in a timely manner from application to closing. Marsh and her team support all of First National’s lending activities, working toward a more consistent, streamlined and efficient customer experience for both internal and external customers.
Morgan D. Neff
Neff brings more than 20 years of executive-level investment and financial experience to First National. As the Wealth Management & Trust Director, Neff relies on his extensive investment experience with large wealth funds, municipalities, and public pension funds to direct all wealth management and trust activities for the bank and help meet the financial needs of Alaskans. Neff is a frequent guest speaker and panelist at industry events and conferences across the country, including the Alaska Southeast Conference, various Alaska chambers of commerce events, and the Alaska Pacific University MBA program. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Craig Thorn
Since 1984, Thorn has played an integral role in meeting the banking needs of Alaskans in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the fastest-growing community in the state. A lifelong Alaskan born and raised in Seward, Thorn provides bank customers with solutions-based expertise to help make their financial dreams come true. Based at the Wasilla Branch, he oversees branch and lending operations in the Matanuska-Susitna valley and Fairbanks interior regions.
Suzanne Whittle
With more than four decades of banking experience, Whittle excels at ensuring compliance with all state and federal banking laws, regulations and rules. She has extensive experience in branch management and operations, call center and operations support, bank operations, security, and compliance. According to Whittle, one of the best parts about her role is the opportunity to give back to the local communities of Alaska. Whittle has served as president and various other board positions for Kids’ Corps, Inc., a Head Start agency.