We’re pleased to introduce you to our management team. They, along with all of our team members, are committed to meeting the financial needs of our neighbors – the people, organizations and businesses within the communities we serve.

Corporate Officers

Dale L. Leighty

CEO and Chairman of the Board

Dale has been with First National Bank since 1982. He is the former Chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America and previously served as President of the Independent Bankers of Colorado and as a board member of Bankers’ Bank of the West.

Dale owns and operates a wheat and cattle farm and he’s active in numerous community activities. He’s a director of the Bent County Development Foundation, the Las Animas Lions Club, and the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center. Dale and his wife, Verna, are active in the First Baptist Church of Las Animas and he has worked with youth activities in various capacities over the years.

Quentin Leighty

President, Monument office; Chief Financial Officer and Board Member

Quentin has been with First National Bank since 2005. He’s in charge of our Asset/Liability Management (ALM), manages the investment portfolio and serves as a lender. Quentin graduated from the Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado in 2002 and the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado with honors in 2008. He serves as a Director with Bankers’ Bank of the West, a Director with the Independent Bankers of Colorado and Vice Chairman of the Safety and Soundness Committee of the Independent Community Bankers of America. Quentin is an Alumni Advisory Board Member at the Graduate School of Banking Colorado and a prior school board member at Monument Academy. Quentin is also an active member of his church.

Bryan Simmons

Chief Credit Officer

Bryan joined our team in 1994. Prior to serving as the Chief Credit Officer, he was a Loan Officer and in-house appraiser. Bryan has a degree from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and operates a ranch south of La Junta. He’s a Director of the Arkansas River Conservancy District, a member of the Lions Club and the Chairman of the Bent County Development Foundation.

Ben Johnson

President, Las Animas office: Chief Operations officer and Director

Ben began his banking career in 1999 and joined First National Bank of Las Animas in 2006.  He has a degree from Adams State University and Western States School of Banking at New Mexico State University. Ben is actively involved in his community and church and has helped lead many youth events over the years.

Marvin Schlegel

President, La Junta office; Board Member

Marvin joined us in 1990. He’s a graduate of Colorado State University and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado. Marvin serves as Director at the South Swink Water Company, a committee member at O.J.C. Business Technology and a board member at the La Junta Rural Fire and EMS District. He also owns and operates a farm and ranch business and is active in his local church.

Robert Valdez

President, Fowler and Rocky Ford offices; Board Member

Robert has been part of the First National Bank team since 1993. He’s a graduate of Colorado State University and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado. Robert is a member of the Lions Club, an advisor to the Swink Business Class and a 4-H volunteer. He served as a board member for the Swink School District and the OJC Ag Advisory Board as well as the Colorado High School Rodeo.

Tina Beadles

Senior Vice President 

Tina began her career with us in 1974. As Senior Vice President, she manages our Human Resources and Personnel functions. Tina has served in several departments during her career at the bank, including bank operations, lending, audit and compliance.  She’s been involved in several community boards in Las Animas and Bent County.

Debbie Rusher

President, Ordway / Controller

Debbie began her banking career at the First National Bank of Ordway in 1982 and joined the First National Bank of Las Animas team in 2012.  Although Debbie has been in banking for 40 years, she says the customers and the staff are what makes it feel like such a short period of time. Debbie’s personal background is in agriculture.  Debbie’s family operates a dryland farm, do custom bagging and raise Hereford cattle. Family and faith are important to Debbie and she is active in the First Christian Church where she enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Anna Walisky

Vice President & Mortgage Loan Officer

Anna joined First National Bank in 2002. She has over 43 years of experience working in all aspects of the real estate lending industry and enjoys helping consumers realize their dreams of home ownership. Anna is involved with several community efforts to provide financial education within the school system and the community at large. Anna previously served on the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) advisory committee, the Tri-County Housing Board, the La Junta Housing Corporation Board, and the La Junta Catholic Parish Finance Council.