Board of Directors
Meet Our Team...
We believe that a strong Board of Directors can be a major contributor to the success of our bank. Gateway Commercial Bank 's Board of Directors will draw its members from a cross section of successful East Valley professionals from many disciplines: business, education, industry and government.
The Board of Directors will work with the bank's senior management to identify competitive banking strategies and to develop new business. Its members will act as advocates for the bank and provide timely opinions on the needs of the community. The Board will actively market the bank's services to potential customers.
Richard J. Adams, Jr. - Secretary- Rich is President and CEO of Southwest Business Credit Services, a firm specializing in business credit information. Prior to joining this business in 1992, Rich served as Director of Credit for the O'Malley Companies. Rich is a graduate of Valley Leadership and a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
- Read Richard Adams' Bio
James E. Christensen - President/CEO - James Christensen has worked in the banking industry for 21 years, most of which was spent in commercial lending and management. Beginning in commercial lending, James quickly developed a profitable portfolio.
- Read James Christensen's Bio
Donna M. Esposito, CPA- Donna is a Senior Director with a national accounting firm, that provides accounting, tax and business consulting services. She is well known for her income and estate tax knowledge, and has written articles for The Catholic Sun, Arizona Woman, Arizona Homes & Lifestyle and Mortgages, Ltd.
- Read Donna Esposito's Bio
Michael Hutchinson - Vice-Chairman- Mike retired from the City of Mesa in 2005 after a long career as a senior executive. He served as the City Council appointed City Manager from March of 2000 until December of 2005. As City Manager he was responsible for implementing policies established by the City Council and management of the city operations.
- Read Michael Hutchinson's Bio
Gene Johnson- Gene is a real estate businessman who is currently active in land development. A Civil Engineering graduate of South Dakota State University, Gene began his career in Public Works. Gene has owned various firms in real estate sales, residential, commercial and land development.
- Read Gene Johnson's Bio
Michael A. Licano- Mike is co-owner and Construction Chief of Via Homes, an award-winning custom builder, and Managing Member of several Via subsidiaries. Mike received both his business and law degrees from ASU.
- Read Michael Licano's Bio
Trudy Rogers Licano- Trudy is President and CEO of Via Homes, a luxury home building company she founded in 1984 as Arizona's first female general contractor. She is the designer and owner of a 50-acre commerce park dedicated exclusively to the building industry, Gateway Norte Builder's Park located off Power & Warner Roads in Mesa.
- Read Trudy Rogers Licano's Bio
Ira Schwarzwald- Ira is the Director, Credit for the Phelps Dodge Corporation, a Phoenix based company that is one of the world's leading producers of copper and molybdenum. He has been with Phelps Dodge since 1988, and is responsible for all credit, collections, accounts receivable and cash management for the corporation.
- Read Ira Schwarzwald's Bio
Michael J. Snyders- Mike and his partner, Gene Johnson, co-founded HMC Financial Corporation, a residential real estate mortgage company, in Sioux Falls, SD, in 1986.
- Read Michael Snyders' Bio
David L. Tininenko - Treasurer- David retired from Bank One (formerly Valley National Bank of Arizona) after a 35 year career. Positions held include Manager and Vice President of the U.S. Banking Division Commercial Loan Department, Financial Institutions, and National Accounts.
- Read David Tininenko's Bio
Martin J. Whalen - Chairman- Originally from Chicago, Marty is a successful corporate and aviation lawyer with a JD Degree from DePaul University. Hired by Hughes Helicopter (later McDonnell Douglas) to bring the "Apache" helicopter into production, Marty, as Chief of Staff, facilitated the company's move to Mesa and was responsible for design and construction of its facility there.
- Read Martin Whalen's Bio
Ralph V. Wilson, M.D.- Ralph (Val) graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and was stationed at Fort Polk, LA and in Vietnam. He then completed his Orthopedic Residency at Vanderbilt University Hospital in 1970.
- Read Ralph Wilson's Bio
