The Haines branch of First National Bank Alaska has a new manager following the departure of Allen Turner, who left in February after eight months on the job.
Kyle Gray, 26, said he “jumped at the idea of managing a bank in Haines,” having been here previously for a three-week visit. He was impressed by the town and its strong sense of community, he said. “Everyone was so friendly.”
Gray has been with FNBA for about a year. He worked with previous Haines branch manager Karl Heinz in Eagle River, where he had similar duties to ones he has now, he said. Tasks there helped prepare him for the job here, he said.
Before working at the bank, Gray worked in Arizona for two- and-a-half years as a buyer for a small, family-owned clothing retailer, called Dress Code, where he managed product orders.
“Banking has been in the back of my mind for a long time,” he said.
Gray was born in Utah and his family frequently moved around the country, as his parents worked as hospital professionals and wanted to see new places. He has lived in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, working a variety of retail jobs, including as an assistant manager for a music store in Tucson, Ariz.
He moved to Alaska in November 2011 looking for “an adventure,” he said, and the bank job came up soon after he moved.
Gray said he couldn’t say how long he’d stay in the job here, but he loves the job and the town, he said. “I have no crystal ball, but I have nothing else on the horizon.”
While he’s here, Gray said he wants to earn the respect of the community and be someone that people in the community can rely on for his expertise and knowledge. “I want to help people achieve their financial and purchasing goals.”
Gray holds a bachelor of arts degree in retailing and consumer sciences from the University of Arizona, where he also minored in business and music. He graduated in December 2010.
Gray says that beyond the bank he’s an avid musician. He plays the guitar and piano and has performed in rock, indie and jazz bands.