CBA Centerpoint GOING BEYOND THE DESK TO HEAR THE STORIES OF COLORADO BANKERS Karissa Becklund Chief Credit Officer High Plains Bank How did you get started in the banking industry? While in college in North Dakota, I started as a teller. During that time, I also went through a summer internship at the bank that truly set my career path. I spent time in five different departments, ultimately discovering my passion for loans, which has been a consistent focus throughout my banking career. What makes your bank unique? High Plains Bank’s core philosophy is family first, then community, then the bank. High Plains Bank is family and employee-owned which helps maintain its independent, community-focused mission and is a Certified Evergreen business, which is a designation for privately held companies that are committed to remaining independent for the long term. High Plains Bank refers to its approach as “craft banking,” which means it’s committed to understanding the specific needs of each customer to tailor financial solutions with personalized, high-touch service that goes beyond standard transactions. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is seeing how our work directly impacts the community. By making sound credit decisions, we help local businesses grow, entrepreneurs launch new ventures and provide capital to rural areas of Colorado. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our bank is a vital part of the economic engine that keeps Colorado thriving, and I’m proud to play a role in fostering that growth. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian. While I love animals, I now get way too queasy to handle anything in the medical profession! What do you listen to on your morning commute? Nothing gets me ready for the day quite like some good country music. I start things off by listening to a local country radio morning show! Max Meints Centralized Operations FirstBank How did you get started in the banking industry? I got into banking because I wanted to use my economics degree from the University of Colorado in a space where I could be creative, make an impact and lead with a people-first approach. I found that at FirstBank. I work in Centralized Operations, which means I’m behind the scenes, not interacting with customers directly, but supporting our internal teams. I really see our employees as my customers. Helping them do their jobs better is how I contribute to the bigger picture. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? One of the things I enjoy most about my job is seeing a project through from start to finish. Taking an idea and turning it into something real that improves how we work is always a good feeling. Just as rewarding is seeing my team grow. I love being part of their development and watching them become stronger both in their roles and as people. I’m also very involved in our employee engagement efforts. I care a lot about creating a work environment where people feel connected, supported and appreciated. Whether it’s organizing team-building events, celebrating wins or encouraging collaboration, I believe that when employees feel good about where they work, it shows in everything they do. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a kid, I dreamed of being a professional athlete. While that dream changed course, the values I admired in sports like discipline and teamwork have followed me into my career. Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know. Something most people don’t know about me is that before working at the bank, I spent three years on cruise ships as part of the daycare staff. I had the opportunity to visit more than 30 countries during that time. The experience taught me a lot about myself, the importance of adaptability and the value of hard work, especially in high-pressure and fast-paced environments, such as banking. Colorado Banker 12
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