Jim Lundy
Jim Lundy (Photo courtesy of Western Alliance Bank)

Founding CEO of Alliance Bank of Arizona, James H. Lundy (Jim), will retire on March 31, 2017, according to Western Alliance Bank.

Don H. Garner, also a member of the organization’s original management team, becomes the new CEO of Alliance Bank of Arizona, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Lundy helped build a start-up bank in 2003 into the fourth largest banking organization in Arizona. Alliance Bank of Arizona is a dynamic part of $17 billion Western Alliance Bancorporation, the Phoenix-based financial services company with five geographically managed banking divisions and 10 national business lines across the country.

“I’m proud of the team we’ve built, the ability we showed in navigating the financial crisis and the success we have helped fuel for so many business clients across Arizona,” said Lundy. “Our customers will always be at the core of Alliance Bank of Arizona, and Don Garner brings tremendous credentials and great experience to the task of leading this client-focused organization.”

Lundy is past chair and current board member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), immediate past Chair of the Catholic Community Foundation, Secretary of the Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation and recently completed a three year term on the FDIC Community Banking Advisory Council. He was also past Chair of the Arizona Bankers Association. Lundy also has helped spearhead the issue of high-quality, accessible education across the state.

“I have had the personal privilege to have worked with Jim since 1991, he has been a great mentor and partner to me and for many others at Western Alliance,” said Robert Sarver, chairman and CEO of Western Alliance Bancorporation. “Jim led the formation of Alliance Bank and its growth for the last 13 years. His myriad talents and true commitment have not only helped us to build an exceptional banking enterprise, but Jim’s strong leadership and integrity also have shaped his active involvement in the civic and business life of our community. We would not be where we are today without Jim and I am very grateful for his service.”

Don Garner has been a commercial and real estate banker in Arizona for 26 years and previously served as executive vice president and statewide real estate manager for Alliance Bank of Arizona’s commercial and residential lending group. Garner started his career at Valley National Bank in 1990 and has been with Alliance Bank since its inception in 2003.

“As the new CEO of Alliance Bank of Arizona, Don is an outstanding banker with a deep and successful history with our company,” said Sarver. “I am very pleased to be able to fill this key leadership position from within our own ranks.”

“Taking the reins at this outstanding banking organization is an honor for me, and I will work to bring leadership that follows Jim Lundy’s example of valuing individual contributions, entrepreneurial thinking and knowledgeable, locally committed banking,” said Garner. “I am very much looking forward to this exciting opportunity.”

Garner is active in the Phoenix community. He is a member of the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP) and the Urban Land Institute. Garner served on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association and was a member of the 2016 Phoenix Heart Walk Board.

Prior to relocating to Phoenix in 2005, Garner resided in Tucson for 15 years. He is the past president of the Tucson Conquistadores and former chairman of La Paloma Family Services in Tucson. He served on the boards of the Pima County Real Estate Research Council and the Metropolitan Pima Alliance.