Anchorage, Alaska – First National Bank Alaska’s Board of Directors recently announced several key appointments and promotions, further strengthening Alaska’s largest community bank.
“I am honored to announce a series of leadership promotions that reflect First National’s unwavering commitment to Alaska’s communities and our dedication to fostering excellence within our institution,” said Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer. “Each of these professionals has demonstrated a deep commitment to our values. We believe their leadership will inspire our entire team and further enhance the level of service Alaskans receive from First National.”
Key appointments and promotions to the bank’s team of experts include:
- Regional Branch Manager and Senior Vice President Craig Thorn was promoted to Deputy Branch Administration Director.
- Senior Human Resources Manager and Vice President Yana Valinske was promoted to Human Resources Operations Director.
- Wasilla Branch Loan Officer and Vice President Paul Beer was promoted to Regional Branch Manager Lending.
- Soldotna Branch Manager and Vice President Mike Frost was promoted to Regional Branch Manager Lending.
- Corporate Loan Officer and Vice President Mike Scott was promoted to Lending Unit Team Leader.
- Security & Fraud Manager and Information Security Officer James Estes was appointed Vice President.
- Golden Valley Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President Kyle Gray was appointed Vice President.
- Dimond Branch Loan Officer and Assistant Vice President Jake Parrish was promoted to Loan Officer III and appointed Vice President.
- Corporate Commercial Portfolio Banker and Assistant Vice President Lydia Sobek was promoted to Senior Commercial Portfolio Banker.
- Metro Branch Manager Krissi Afu was appointed Assistant Vice President.
- Eastchester Branch Manager Syl Fowlis was appointed Assistant Vice President.
- Management Associate Tanner Dey was promoted to U-Med Branch Loan Officer.
Alaska’s community bank since 1922, First National Bank Alaska proudly meets the financial needs of Alaskans with ATMs and 28 locations in 19 communities throughout the state, and by providing banking services to meet their needs across the nation and around the world.
In 2025, Forbes selected First National as the sixth bank in the country on their America’s Best Banks list. In 2024, Alaska Business readers voted First National “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the ninth year in a row, Best Bank/Credit Union for the fourth time running, and Best Customer Service. The bank was also voted “Best of Alaska” in 2024 in the Anchorage Daily News awards, ranking as one of the top three in the Bank/Financial category for the sixth year in a row. American Banker again recognized First National as a “Best Bank to Work For” in 2024, for the seventh consecutive year.
For more than a century, the bank has been committed to supporting the communities it serves. In 2024, for the eighth consecutive reporting period, over a span of twenty-four years, First National received an Outstanding Community Reinvestment Act performance rating from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Our dedicated team strives to provide exceptional customer service to meet the banking needs of our fellow Alaskans to help shape a brighter tomorrow.
First National Bank Alaska is a Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, and recognized as a Minority Depository Institution by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, as it is majority-owned by women.