First National Bank Alaska announced appointment of many of its top bankers to new or expanded roles on the executive management team. In addition to her duties and role as Board Chair, Betsy Lawer is now the bank's Chief Executive Officer at the top of the organization. She will shape the bank's vision, strategies and goals of present and moving forward and act as management's point of contact with the board of directors.

Lawer oversees the President, Information Technology, Human Resources and Corporate Communications, Financial/Trust, Bank Support/Corporate Compliance and Audit units. Doug Longacre was named its new President. He will serve on the board of directors and be responsible for the overall management of all lending and loan-related functions as well as branch operations in and outside of Anchorage.

Longacre will work closely with Lawer to help make sure customers gain access to innovative banking solutions that will help them succeed in the Great Land. Working in the fishing industry and as a construction worker before joining First National in the early 1980s, Charlie Weimer was promoted to Chief Commercial Lending Officer and appointed Executive Vice President. He'll oversee all phases of the commercial lending process.

Upon graduation, Weimer joined the bank's management associate program, working in Anchorage before finding a permanent home on the Kenai Peninsula in 1984 where he served many years as senior regional manager and most recently as the Branch Lending Administrator. Not far removed from her 40-year First National employment anniversary, Cindi Buzitis was promoted to Chief Compliance Officer and appointed as Executive Vice President. Cheri Gillian was promoted to Chief Administrative Officer and appointed Executive Vice President.

She oversees the bank's Human Resources and Corporate Communications division. Chief Information Officer Phil Griffin was appointed to Executive Vice President. 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 CIO positions in California and Nevada. Griffin is responsible for the bank's information technology strategic planning, implementation and security, core and item processing systems, network services, software solutions and support, e-Payment services, card processing systems, ATMs, online banking and business continuity planning. Bill Renfrew was appointed as Executive Vice President.

A third-generation banker, a second-generation First National banker and the bank's Chief Financial Officer since 2013, Michele Schuh was promoted and appointed Executive Vice President. Schuh brings more than 35 years of finance and accounting experience to the CFO position. She directs the bank's financial reporting, shareholder relations, property, investment management and trust services departments.

David Stringer was appointed as Executive Vice President. Head of the Special Credits and Participation Loans Division. In charge of the bank's Retail Banking and Cash Management Division, Ryan Strong was promoted to Chief Banking Officer and appointed Executive Vice President.

Also the bank's Chief Risk Officer, Strong began his financial services career as a management trainee at First National. He soon moved up to Commercial Loan Officer and then to manager of bank branches in Palmer and Fairbanks. His strong leadership skills and real estate knowledge led him to the position of President and CEO of an Alaskan title insurance agency, expanding it into new markets and within existing ones.

After a move back to First National six years ago, the bank's customers again benefit from Strong's know-how.