Tom Gleason
The story of Fort Collins’ phenomenal growth over the last 40-plus years wouldn’t be complete without including the impressive career of now retired banker Tom Gleason.
Gleason was born in 1928, and at the age of 28 went to work for First National Bank-one of the only two banks in Fort Collins at the time. He worked in the consumer-loan department; it was the beginning of a career at First National Bank that would last for over four decades. Gleason climbed the corporate ladder at First National Bank until, eventually, he became president, chief executive office and chairman of the board of directors. Gleason helped the bank grow its’ assets from $7 million to, now, over a billion.
As Fort Collins grew, so did the bank but Gleason always had a close relationship with local merchants. Gleason believes that taking care of those relationships was a large part of the fun of banking. Gleason also helped First National Bank set the standard for the region’s making community, taking the lead in such innovations as offering the state’s first ATM and opening the first branch location in Colorado.
Gleason turned the reins of the bank over to past president Mark Driscoll in 1994 but remained involved as CEO until 1998. Even without those titles, Gleason maintains an office at First national and his contributions continue on a regular basis.
Gleason’s reputation as a community leader is as solid as his bank’s. His involvement in the Fort Collins community is something that is felt by many. He strongly supports Colorado State University, including the College of Business. Gleason was awarded an Honorary Degree – Doctor of Humane Letters from CSU in 2005. Gleason has invested much of his time, energy and expertise to building Fort Collins and the Northern Front Range to what it has become today.
His dedication to his family and the community parallels that of his commitment to his career. Gleason and his wife, Ginnie, have a daughter, Toni, and a son, Tim, along with 2 granddaughters. In his spare time Gleason enjoys cycling, reading and the arts and was involved in many boards that supported his desire to give back to his community.
Gleason was born in 1928, and at the age of 28 went to work for First National Bank-one of the only two banks in Fort Collins at the time. He worked in the consumer-loan department; it was the beginning of a career at First National Bank that would last for over four decades. Gleason climbed the corporate ladder at First National Bank until, eventually, he became president, chief executive office and chairman of the board of directors. Gleason helped the bank grow its’ assets from $7 million to, now, over a billion.
As Fort Collins grew, so did the bank but Gleason always had a close relationship with local merchants. Gleason believes that taking care of those relationships was a large part of the fun of banking. Gleason also helped First National Bank set the standard for the region’s making community, taking the lead in such innovations as offering the state’s first ATM and opening the first branch location in Colorado.
Gleason turned the reins of the bank over to past president Mark Driscoll in 1994 but remained involved as CEO until 1998. Even without those titles, Gleason maintains an office at First national and his contributions continue on a regular basis.
Gleason’s reputation as a community leader is as solid as his bank’s. His involvement in the Fort Collins community is something that is felt by many. He strongly supports Colorado State University, including the College of Business. Gleason was awarded an Honorary Degree – Doctor of Humane Letters from CSU in 2005. Gleason has invested much of his time, energy and expertise to building Fort Collins and the Northern Front Range to what it has become today.
His dedication to his family and the community parallels that of his commitment to his career. Gleason and his wife, Ginnie, have a daughter, Toni, and a son, Tim, along with 2 granddaughters. In his spare time Gleason enjoys cycling, reading and the arts and was involved in many boards that supported his desire to give back to his community.
