Steve Lundgren honored as Business Leader of the Year

Steve Lundgren is President and CEO of Denali State Bank, a locally-owned community bank. Steve’s career in the financial services industry is a true success story spanning over three decades, during which he has served the Fairbanks business community as a leader, mentor, and influencer. He demonstrates the mission, vision, and goals of Denali State Bank every day as he reaches out to our community.  One only has to step into his banking facility to recognize his focus on customers and their needs.

Steve began his career in Oregon as a management trainee at a small S&L after graduating from Oregon State University. Young, single, and adventuresome, Steve then signed a three-year contract in the early 80s to relocate from Portland to Fairbanks and work for Alaska USA FCU.  Finding winters cold in Fairbanks, and finding Susan Virgin, a native Fairbanksan with long-term Alaskan roots, Steve convinced Susan to marry him and they decided to make Fairbanks their home. Steve next accepted a position at Key Bank working with Mike Milam, who would become a lifelong friend. After nearly 15 years at Key Bank, Bart LeBon offered Steve a position at Mt. McKinley Bank, where he worked for six years before moving to Denali State Bank.

Steve has been a progressive leader in the local banking industry and is also well recognized nationally. He’s the Alaskan representative on the American Bankers Association Community Bankers Council, and he’s past president of the Alaska Bankers Association, representing all seven banks that operate within the state of Alaska.

Steve serves on the board of directors, is a past board chair, and currently chairs the Finance Committee of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. He’s a member and past president of the Fairbanks Sunrisers Rotary Club, and a former board chair of Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation. Steve has also served in leadership positions for many other community and service organizations, including the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company’s Community Advisory Board, the Interior Builders’ Association, Junior Achievement of Fairbanks, and the United Way of the Tanana Valley. He also chaired the American Heart Association Heart Walk in 2016.

Dozens of local businesses have benefited from Steve’s expertise, business savvy and excellent business and social judgment. In the setting of volunteer board venues, Steve impresses others with his ability to access, organize, and prioritize effectively to bring consensus to the board action.  He is able to lead business groups to the best business decision without sacrificing the goal, quality of outcome, or integrity of the individuals working in the group; he’s advocated issues important to his industry and to the community to our elected leaders locally, in Juneau, and in Washington, D.C.

Steve also has a long history of supporting the military. He’s a member of the Alaskan Command Civilian Advisory Board, and he currently serves as National Treasurer of the Air Force Association, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Steve is also the Alaska vice-chair and Northern Alaska region chair for the Alaska Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

Steve served for many years on the Fairbanks Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee, and the fruits of his efforts are apparent in the announcements regarding military expansion. He was active in promoting Eielson AFB during the threats of closure or realignment, as well as promoting the F-35s introduction to Eielson AFB. Steve understands the economic impacts on the community and the needs for housing, financing, and community services that adding several thousand new residents will entail. In the year 2000, Steve received the prestigious Jim Messer Award, given by the Fairbanks Chamber at the Military Appreciation Banquet to an individual who best promoted military/community relations over the years.

Steve is a remarkable advocate for education. He serves on the UAF Advocacy Committee and in this capacity, has provided testimony to the UA Board of Regents and other legislative bodies in support of the University’s mission. Steve provides support and mentorship for university students and local young professionals. Steve is proud that 16 of his 80 employees at Denali State Bank have degrees from UAF, many from the School of Management, and others are currently attending school at UAF.

It’s not all work and community service for Steve. He and Susan have three children. After finishing college outside, their daughter Ashley and her husband Mike Strum recently returned to work at Tanana Valley Clinic and are expecting their first child in April 2017; son Derek works in Fairbanks at the Boys and Girls Home; and youngest daughter Kira is a senior at Western Washington University. Steve is an avid racquetball player. He and Susan enjoy spending time in Hawaii, and the entire family, along with close friends the Carsons, enjoy an annual four-day float trip down the Gulkana River.

Join us in celebration! The Business Leader of the Year banquet and award ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the Westmark Hotel.