Tom Gleason
Tom Gleason was born in 1928 and, at 28, went to work for First National Bank-one of 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 he eventually became president, CEO, and chairman of the board of directors. Gleason helped the bank grow its assets from $7 million to over a billion.
As Fort Collins grew, so did the bank, but Gleason always had a close relationship with local merchants. Gleason believed 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 in Colorado. Gleason turned the bank's reins over to past president Mark Driscoll in 1994 but remained CEO until 1998.
Gleason’s reputation as a community leader was as solid as his bank’s. His involvement in the Fort Collins community was felt by many. He strongly supported Colorado State University, including the College of Business. Gleason was awarded an Honorary Degree – Doctor of Humane Letters from CSU in 2005. Gleason invested much of his time, energy, and expertise in building Fort Collins and the Northern Front Range into what it has become today.
As Fort Collins grew, so did the bank, but Gleason always had a close relationship with local merchants. Gleason believed 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 in Colorado. Gleason turned the bank's reins over to past president Mark Driscoll in 1994 but remained CEO until 1998.
Gleason’s reputation as a community leader was as solid as his bank’s. His involvement in the Fort Collins community was felt by many. He strongly supported Colorado State University, including the College of Business. Gleason was awarded an Honorary Degree – Doctor of Humane Letters from CSU in 2005. Gleason invested much of his time, energy, and expertise in building Fort Collins and the Northern Front Range into what it has become today.