First National Bank Alaska Haines branch manager Wendell Harren is taking a job in Eagle River starting April 17.
He’ll start his new job as a lending branch manager at the Eagle River branch and will continue to serve Haines loans while the bank looks for a new manager in Haines.
“They don’t have anyone in the hopper to come to Haines so I’m still going to be handling the loans I have in progress and lending we do in my absence,” Harren said.
Harren, 29, moved to town from Wasilla in spring 2018 where he quickly became involved in public life. He’s served on the boards of the Haines Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Alaska State Fair and Haines Friends of the Library. He’s also a member of the Haines Volunteer Fire Department.
He grew up in Wasilla and said he wants to return to the area to be closer to friends and family.
“It’s the right move for me at the time to be closer to my family,” Harren said. “I still have a lot of friends up north. I’ve enjoyed Haines quite a bit and am leaving the door open to coming back.”
First National Bank Alaska will post the open position for bank manager beginning in April.