Who We Are

THE BILTMORE BANK OF ARIZONA was founded by a group of senior bankers who believed Arizona businesses were entitled to a better banking partnership. Led by Richard J. Lehmann, THE BILTMORE BANK OF ARIZONA has the most experienced management team in Arizona.

Richard J. Lehmann - Founder

Rich is the founding principal of the Bank. After 25 years of international banking experience with Citicorp, he came to Arizona in 1988 to run Valley National Bank before it was sold to Bank One. He stayed with Bank One until 1999 when he retired as Vice Chairman of the fifth largest bank in the United States.

In his 20 years living in Arizona, Rich has been very active in the community. He was formerly on the board of trustees for the Phoenix Art Museum, head of the United Way of Phoenix, and a member of The Greater Phoenix Economic Council. He currently serves on the TGen Foundation Board, Board of Trustees of Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management, the Arizona Board of Nature Conservancy, Knight Transportation, and participates in additional civic activities.

Jeffrey P. Gaia - Chairman & CEO

Jeff moved to Arizona in 1988 to work for Valley National Bank before it merged with Bank One in 1993. Jeff spent 12 years with Bank One, his last position was President, National Business Banking Group in which he ran the small business franchise nationally. During his career at Bank One, he held positions as President, Banc One Mortgage Corporation, and President, Bank One, Utah N.A.

Prior to joining THE BILTMORE BANK OF ARIZONA, Jeff was Managing Director, Retail Banking Group for California Bank & Trust, a $9 billion banking subsidiary of Zions Bancorp.

John T. Byrd - Senior Credit Officer

A native Arizonan, John has over 29 years of Arizona banking experience. Previously he was with Bank One, Arizona and its predecessor bank, Valley National. He held the position of Regional Senior Credit Officer and was responsible for a $9 billion commercial credit portfolio in the six-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

John has been active in the community for many years, serving on the boards of the Valley of the Sun YMCA, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Valley of the Sun Communities in Schools, Midtown Rotary Club, Yuma Fine Arts Association, and Yuma Rotary Club. He has been active in Junior Achievement, and Friends of Mexican Art. On a professional basis, John has been a member and an instructor for the Risk Management Association and the Arizona Bankers Association.

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