Alpine Bank Chief Financial Officer Eric Gardey is retiring at the end of 2025 after 36 years, according to a news release on Wednesday. 

Gardey started at Alpine Bank in 1989, serving in several key leadership roles before becoming the CFO in 2014 and joining the executive leadership team in 2021. His career was marked by unwavering integrity and steady leadership through economic cycles. 

“Eric has been a bedrock of our success here at the bank,” Alpine Bank President Glen Jammaron said in the release. “We’re so grateful for all he’s done and we wish him well in retirement.”

Gardey lists a strong finance and accounting department at the bank among his many accomplishments, helping lead the organization’s growth to $6.7 billion in total assets. One of his biggest career highlights was bringing Alpine Bank to Colorado Class B shares to the OTCQX market in 2019. 

Gardey will retain his seat on the Alpine Bank Board of Directors and after a six month transition period in the second half of 2025, he will be readily available to provide expertise and guidance in the future. 

San Juan and Mesa County Regional President Mike Burns will succeed Gardey, and Tyler Dahl, current Mesa County market president, has been promoted to Burns’ regional president position. Alpine Bank says this thoughtful succession plan ensures continued stability for the bank, their customers and the communities they call home. 

“At our core, we believe in growing strong leaders from within, people who understand our values, our customers and have deep roots in the communities we serve,” Jammaron said in the release. “These changes ensure continuity and stability for the operations of the bank and it reinforces our continued commitment to Colorado families and businesses.”

Burns has been with Alpine Bank 28 years and has demonstrated exceptional financial expertise and a commitment to community-centered banking. He has also played a pivotal role in Alpine’s growth in western Colorado. 

While regional president, he led the opening of Alpine Bank’s locations in Durango and Montrose, the first branches in southwest Colorado. According to the release, the branches have gained over $500 million in assets over the last 20 years. Burns’ role later included responsibility of another 10 branches in western Colorado, increasing total regional assets to $1.9 billion. 

Burns has also provided executive leadership for Alpine Bank Wealth Management, which has been in existence for nearly 25 years and has over $1.4 billion in assets under management. 

“I am humbled and excited to step into the CFO role,” Burns said in the release. “I look forward to helping guide Alpine’s financial future while continuing to uphold the trust we’ve earned from our customers over the years.”

Burns will work alongside Gardey starting in July. Dahl will assume his new role as regional president in June and will oversee bank operations in the San Juan and Mesa markets, which includes 12 Alpine Bank locations from Grand Junction to Durango. 

Dahl has been with Alpine Bank for nearly 20 years and currently manages operations at five branches in Grand Junction, Clifton and Fruita. Previously he served as branch president at Alpine Bank Montrose. He has also managed bank operations in Delta and Ouray counties. 

“The Mesa and San Juan communities mean so much to me personally,” Dahl said in the release. “It’s a privilege to be able to step into this new role and serve our customers with the same dedication and care that has always guided our work.”

At Alpine, Dahl has earned a reputation as a compassionate leader with deep ties to western Colorado. His extensive banking experience and passion for relationship banking makes him a natural fit for his expanded role. 

“It has been the honor of my career to serve Alpine Bank, an organization that lives its values every day,” Gardey said in the release. “I leave with full confidence in Mike’s leadership and the exceptional strength of our team.”