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 Michael S. MoranoPresident, Chief Executive Officer
Michael Morano previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Bank of Arizona. Sunrise Bank was a $120 million dollar high-performing financial institution that operated offices in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Michael joined Sunrise Bank of Arizona in April of 2004 and successfully re-built and re-tooled the bank into a highly efficient lending institution. He was directly responsible for an improved bank culture and the identification of 27 new employees within the initial 18 months of his oversight. He also reconstituted the Board of Directors with businessmen that represented a cross section of the business community. Over time, Michael diversified Sunrise Bank of Arizona’s asset base from an SBA focused provider to an efficient multi profit center bank that specialized in commercial real estate lending, commercial and residential lending as well as, government backed lending. Under Michael’s tutelage, Sunrise Bank of Arizona achieved its three most profitable years in the bank’s eight-year history.
Michael is a relationship oriented president and has a strong core following of bank clients. He has demonstrated throughout the years that his style of responsiveness and attention to client needs fosters loyalty. Michael has a core following of 50 clients that have followed him from bank to bank and have brought depository and lending opportunities to the institutions in which he has served.
Michael’s former banking experience includes positions as Chief Credit Officer of Bank USA and Vice President/Commercial Lender with Rocky Mountain Bank. His professional banking career commenced as a safety and soundness bank examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; he achieved commissioned status. Michael has been a resident of the Scottsdale and Phoenix markets for the past 28 years and has been involved in local banking for the past 18 years. He holds a BSBA degree from Northern Arizona University as well as an MBA from Arizona State University. Michael serves on the Board of Junior Achievement Arizona and is an advisory member to the School of Global Management at Arizona State University.
 Michael R. AllenChairman
Michael Allen is the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Sureway Inc., dba Sureway Properties, a company founded in 1981. As both an entrepreneur and an active investor, he understands his client’s needs and tailors his property management firm’s services to fulfill each one’s requirements. His experience within the legal system includes approximately 100 appointments of receiverships, bankruptcy proceedings, assisting debtor-in-possession and loan modifications. Michael brings a depth of expertise seldom found in other companies within his field.
Michael has been associated with the following organizations: Sunrise Bank of Arizona, Board of Directors from May 2000 to October 2007 and was Chairman of the Directors’ Loan Committee; Arizona Multi Housing Association, Chairman of several committees beginning in 1996, including the Political Action Committee, the Government Affairs Committee and the Benefits Committee; Arizona Department of Real Estate, and Worker’s Compensation Group (appointed by Governor Symington to create a task force for the sole purpose of determining a viable solution that would allow an association to have a Worker’s Compensation master policy on behalf of its members and the National Apartment Association).
Michael is Chairman of the Board of Paradise Valley Christian School. Paradise Valley Christian School prides itself in high standards of education, producing SAT scores which are much higher than other private and public schools. Michael provided the oversight for the completion of a $4,875,000 expansion into the school that included a new gymnasium, six new classrooms, and a new administrative building.
 Gary M. JohnsonVice-Chairman
Gary Johnson is an owner, officer and member of the Macayo Restaurant Group. Under Gary and his father’s guidance, the Johnson family businesses have grown from a small restaurant with less than thirty-five seats in 1946 to combined businesses in multiple states that have over $100 million in revenue. Gary was responsible for the business formation of each of the companies, and currently oversees the operation of numerous family owned businesses. He is also directly responsible for the financial concerns of all the companies, and is President of the manufacturing facility and the Las Vegas operation.
The combined companies employ approximately 2,000 individuals, working in casual dining Mexican restaurants, a manufacturing facility, a small wares and equipment retailer and real estate companies that manage properties that lease to the family owned businesses and outside unrelated businesses. Under Gary’s direction, the family has built a large real estate portfolio comprised of retail shopping centers and office buildings. The manufacturing facilities sell products to national grocery stores across the southwestern United States under the Macayo label. They also develop and produce ingredient products in the Hispanic food segment for some of the largest multinational corporations. As President of the manufacturing facility Gary introduced processing improvements that maximized per unit profit and has grown revenue over 14% a year. Additionally, Gary and his sons operate a 1,000 acre farm in southeastern Arizona that grows for the manufacturing facility and other outside customers. They are currently developing organic foods for the Hispanic international sales.
The Macayo Restaurant Group has been recognized by numerous professional organizations. They have received the ACE Award for three years running, most recently for being the 37th largest privately held business in Arizona. Gary has served on many community boards such as the Phoenix Art Museum Board of Trustees, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Arthritis Foundation Board of Directors. He also served on advisory boards such as Kemper Insurance.
Gary joint-ventured with then Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard and the Hispanic Chamber to create and operate one of the largest city sponsored ethnic festivals, “The Cinco De Mayo Fiesta”. The downtown festivities are celebrations of food, entertainment and cultural activities running for 3 to 7 days, originally including Macayo’s Mexican Food Cook-off which raised money for Hispanic charities. Starting with Macayo employees volunteering to feed thousands of homeless Phoenix people at the St. Vincent de Paul dining room, the Macayo Johnson Family Foundation has consistently contributed to numerous local charities. On a sustainable annual basis, the foundation continues to give back to local communities through support of civic, educational and charitable events.
A native Arizonan, Gary has lived in the state all his life and attended the University of Arizona. His interests include fishing, golf, hunting, his dogs and horses and all outdoor related activities he can share with his family.
 Bill J. BonnstetterSecretary
Bill Bonnstetter is founder and chairman of the boards for Target Training International and TTI Performance Systems, Ltd. Established in 1984, TTI now develops and markets research-based, validated behavioral and values assessment products that are available through over 7,000 distributors in more than 50 countries and 23 languages.
Bill is considered one of the pioneers in using technology to enhance human resource assessment tools. He has authored more than 30 software programs, including the first that produced personalized individual reports based on the DISC behavioral theory. He also received three patents for developing personalized reports that integrate both, values and behavior evaluations, the software to deliver these reports and a process for benchmarking jobs. He has co-authored numerous training programs and books, including “Building High Performing Teams”, “Behavioral Selling Skills”, “Energizing the Organization, Dynamic Customer Satisfaction”, “Sales Strategy Index” and “The Universal Language DISC”, A Reference Manual. More than 5 million people worldwide have used these software and training programs.
His passion for research extends to other business disciplines. Based on several years as a successful salesman in Iowa, Bill conducted research in the late 1970’s analyzing the connection between a farm’s appearance and the farmer’s buying style. The research resulted in Bill developing the Buyer Profile Blending System, a highly successful sales program being used worldwide. Currently, he is performing research on principles and beliefs that guide successful entrepreneurs. He is also author of the book “What I Know Now”, published in 1999 by Forbes.
Bill is a member of the Instructional Systems Association and is a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM). He serves on the advisory board of the Robert S. Hartman Institute in Knoxville, Tenn., and is leading revitalization efforts in his hometown, Corwith, Iowa. Bill bought and refurbished the town’s nearly 90-year-old former City Hall in its original style, opening it as the Corwith Community Center in September 2004. He also contributed money for construction for a new, City Hall, donated new books and technology to the town library, and is funding the creation of a community foundation that will help Corwith attract economic development money.
Bill and his wife, Karen Killoren, live in Carefree Ranch and have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. He enjoys restoring old farm tractors and traveling.
 Gary P. Brigham, DDS, MSDTreasurer
Dr. Gary Brigham owns and operates a successful orthodontic practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has a distinguished career in dentistry that spans more than 25 years. Dr. Brigham’s experience includes professional clinical instruction, practical application and management. He has served as an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Medicine at the Center for Craniofacial Anomalies at University of Illinois Medical Center, and as a faculty instructor with the Microbiology Department at the Chicago College of Naprapathy. Dr. Brigham was the Chief of the Orthodontic Section, USAF Yokota Airbase and USA Camp Zama in Japan while serving as a Major in the U.S. Air Force. Dr. Brigham also served as Director of Orthodontics for an Arizona dental conglomerate (1981-85) and as an editor of Resource Dental Magazine (1984-85).
A graduate of Case Western Reserve University Adelbert College (BA, 1970), School of Dentistry (DDS, 1974), and School of Orthodontics (MSD, 1976), Dr. Brigham continued to pursue excellence in his field, having worked towards a doctorate in Biological Chemistry at the University of Illinois. He has received numerous awards including the Harry Sicher award from the American Association of Orthodontics for the best graduate research in North America (1977), and was recognized as a Top 100 Dentist in Phoenix Magazine and a Top 100 provider of Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment in America.
Dr. Brigham is also an independent filmmaker, and is the executive producer of the full-length feature film Greasewood Flat, winner of five national independent film awards.
 James E. ChristensenDirector
James Christensen has 45 years of banking experience, beginning his career with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 1963. Jim was an Assistant National Bank Examiner for the Midwestern District in Kansas City, Missouri. He became commissioned as a National Bank Examiner in 1968 and soon became the Examiner-In-Charge at the Sioux City, Iowa Duty Station. Jim became CEO of First National Bank of LeMars, Iowa in 1970, returning to the Office of Comptroller of the Currency three years later. He served the Wichita, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri Duty Station as Examiner-In-Charge, where he was in charge of the largest bank in Kansas, several large banks in Missouri, and troubled institutions. Jim’s final post with the Comptroller was in the Kansas City District Office, where he was responsible for the quality assurance programs and quality improvement process for the Midwestern District which encompassed a seven-state area.
Jim opted for early retirement from the OCC in January of 1997 and began his own bank consulting firm, Christensen Consulting, Inc. His firm specializes in performing independent external loan reviews for banks in Arizona to Mississippi. During Jim’s years of banking he received many “Superior Performance” awards and attended numerous banking schools. Jim attended the University of Iowa and graduated from Westmar College in Lemars, Iowa with a B.A. in Economics. Jim also received a degree from the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin.
Jim moved to Arizona in 2007 and resides in Mesa, Arizona and has two sons. Jim’s son James is President and CEO of Gateway Commercial Bank of Mesa, Arizona, and his son Kirk is an executive with Caterpillar. He is very proud of his sons, his three granddaughters and his grandson. Jim loves the game of golf and has discovered a love for hiking the mountains and deserts of Arizona every chance he gets.
Jerry graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.S. in Business Administration and a major in Finance. He also is a graduate of the Colorado School of Banking. Prior to his banking career he served in the United States Air Force as a Logistics Officer for a Tactical Fighter Wing based in New Mexico.
Throughout his banking career, Jerry has been active in community activities. He served on the Mesa Chamber of Commerce Board and was Chairman in 1998. He also served on the Mesa United Way Board as well as the East Valley Partnership Board. He is currently a member of the Mesa Rotary Club and serves on the Mesa Hohokam Foundation Board as well as the Falcon Field area Alliance Advisory Board. He resides in Mesa with his wife, Janet. Jerry enjoys golf, fly fishing, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren, all of whom live in Scottsdale.
Dr. Sally Downey is the Superintendent of the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), a public school district dedicated to providing a productive, technically trained workforce to meet the market-driven needs of business and industry. Dr. Downey acts as a visionary for the district, providing leadership and direction for the total operation of the school. In addition to supervision of financial aid, staff development, grant applications and program accreditation, her duties include development of new programs and cooperative agreements with junior colleges, and sequencing and aligning curricula validating course content and teaching methodologies.
Dr. Downey was born in Connersville, Indiana. She received a BS in Education from Indiana State University (1969) and graduated from the University of Oklahoma, obtaining a MS (Guidance & Counseling, 1977), Standard Principal’s Certificate (1981), EdD (Adult and Higher Education, 1991), and Standard Superintendent’s Certificate (1994). Prior to joining EVIT in 2000, Dr. Downey received the ASPRA Award of Excellence and Arch Alexander Award from the University of Oklahoma as an Outstanding Vocational School Superintendent. She was also named Arizona School Superintendent of the Year in 2005.
Dr. Downey and her husband, Richard, live in Higley. Dr. Downey is active in numerous civic organizations, including the Wells Fargo Community Development Board, the East Valley Think Tank, United Way of Mesa and the Arizona Town Hall. Richard and Dr. Downey are the parents of two sons, Major Rob Downey who makes his home in Oklahoma City and is currently serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan, and James Downey of San Antonio who is involved in medical sales. The Downey’s have one grandson, Dan. Dr. Downey enjoys music, racquetball and an occasional game of golf.
 Robert V. Hicklin Jr.Director
Robert Hicklin Jr. has diversified business interests and is currently involved in three ventures. He is the managing member of Alpine Ridge Apartments, LLC, for a 200 unit apartment complex located next to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ., and chairman of Hicklin Distributing Inc., a national distributor of Honda RV generators. Bob is also a director of Great Plains Protein LLC, a manufacturer of protein products, including animal and pet foods. Previously, Bob spent 30 years in Des Moines, Iowa and was a distributor for General Motors Corporation automotive and parts division serving five Midwestern states.
Originally from Iowa, Bob graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Business and Economics in 1957. He was captain of the Iowa Fencing Team and a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Bob served both with the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 and the U.S. Marine Corps from 1959 to 1965. He is an active supporter of the SUI Alumni Foundation and the Iowa Athletic and Letterman’s Association. Currently an officer and board member of the Phoenix Division of the Navy League of the United States, Bob is also a long-time member of various Masonic orders, a Shriner, and an active member of the Motorcycle Corps.
Bob and his wife of 50 years, Dee, currently reside in Paradise Valley. They have four children and eight grandchildren. They enjoy many outdoor recreational activities, including boating, and love the active Arizona lifestyle.
 Ronald S. KepesDirector
Ronald Kepes spent the first 22 years of his professional life in sales and manufacturing of architectural aluminum building products in a multitude of roles, from sales manager to president of Ida Products Company and Feather-Lite Manufacturing in Michigan. After relocating to Miami, Florida, he started Worldwide Sales, a manufacturer’s representative organization specializing in home improvement products. Ronald attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He has been a major campaign fund organizer and contributor to the City of Hope and has served as a child mentor through a community based mentoring program. He married the love of his life, Maddee, in 2004 and together they have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Ronald enjoys playing tennis and working out.
 V. Jay Wise, CLUDirector
V. Jay Wise is the retired managing partner of the Arizona Agencies of New York Life. Under his 20-year guidance, the Arizona Agency grew from 28 to 145 agents and from $2 million in premiums to over $30 million, and led the U.S. with 48 Million Dollar Round Table members. Jay created a compliance department and implemented the New York Life Field Development System to promote professional education and industry designations.
Jay graduated from Indiana State University (BS in Biology and Physical Education, 1967) and Indiana University (MS Guidance & Counseling, 1970). Prior to entering the Insurance and Financial Planning field, Jay taught Science and coached basketball and golf in Indiana. In 1970, he joined the University of Wisconsin, coaching both basketball and golf and was named coach of the year in 1973.
Jay currently resides in Scottsdale with his wife Mary. Jay still enjoys golf and outdoor activities of all types.
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Gerald W. DeLand
Sally E. Downey, EdD