Dave Ralston
CEO
Bank of Arizona
bankofarizona.com
With more than 30 years of professional experience in the banking industry, Ralston has overall responsibility for market leadership in Arizona. He is currently on the board of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Biggest challenge: “Early in my career I found myself reporting to an individual I did not respect on a personal or professional level. Rather than leave the company, I chose to stay and focus on doing the best job I could. Within a year my supervisor was terminated and I assumed his position.”
Best advice received: “Work hard, have a positive attitude, and treat people like you want to be treated. Advice I received from my father early in my professional career.”
Best advice to offer: “Stay disciplined in your approach to credit metrics and credit standards. Straying from those will only lead to regret.”
Greatest accomplishment: “Acquiring a $140 million community bank in 2005 and transitioning it over eight years into a nearly billion dollar bank with incredibly talented people.”
