First Bank’s First New CFO Since the ‘80s

Ketchikan-based First Bank has a new Chief Financial Officer for the first time in forty years. Rocky Elerding is promoted to the position now that longtime CFO Jim Sarvela is retiring.

Elerding was born and raised in Sitka. He earned a degree in finance from the University of Washington and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Washington’s MBA program. He has worked in finance for the past twenty years. He has been with First Bank since 2004.

Elerding had been working as Southeast Regional Mortgage Manager. To replace him, First Bank hired Dawn Wesley.

A third-generation Alaskan from Juneau, Wesley moved away for twenty years but moved back in 2011, gaining experience in the mortgage and insurance sectors. Her passion is supporting low-to-moderate income borrowers prepare for homeownership through individual coaching and education.

First Bank’s Chief Mortgage Officer Mike Medford says, “I am very excited to work with Dawn, and believe she will fit hand-in-glove with our outstanding group of mortgage professionals and to continue as the best home loan option in Southeast Alaska!”