One retirement, two new leaders, the same Gateway Bank
After nearly 20 years of leading Gateway Bank, Founder, President, and CEO James Christensen will retire on June 1, 2027. He will remain on the Board of Directors and the Loan Committee through at least the summer of 2028, keeping a voice in the bank’s direction and decisions.
James has laid a strong foundation that’s built to last – and he’s not going far. Here’s where Gateway stands now and what’s ahead for your hometown bank.
What We’ve Built Together
Gateway is currently the #1 bank in Arizona for return on assets through Q1 2026. It will soon be the 5th oldest and 4th largest bank in the state — and one of only nine remaining Arizona bank charters, down from 58 in 2007. Gateway Bank opened at the start of the Great Recession and became the only surviving Mesa-chartered bank. We have weathered COVID, post-pandemic inflation, and every storm in between — together.
None of that happened by accident. It happened because relationships are at the center of everything we do. As James puts it, “You can make it through anything when you’re part of each other’s team.”
Keeping It in the Family
Gateway’s leadership team and Board of Directors have spent the last several years building a succession plan to keep Gateway independent and on a growth trajectory across Arizona. We’re keeping everything “in the family” to make sure our customers and team stay in good hands.
Scott Morris, our current Market President of Mesa, will move into the role of President.
Scott was one of James’ first hires in 2008. He deeply understands the bank and our community, and he shares every value that has made Gateway what it is today. “I honestly enjoy my job, love my customers, and care for the staff like family,” Scott says. “The bank is so much more than a job for me. It’s a way to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Josh Flake, our current Chief Credit Officer, will step into the CEO role.
Josh joined Gateway in 2021 and has been part of the leadership team through some of the bank’s strongest performance years. “This team, our customers, and the relationships we share are what make Gateway Bank so unique. Our culture can’t be replicated or found anywhere else, and that’s because of the people,” Josh says. “Making a living is about what you get. Making a life is about what you give. Gateway allows me to be the best version of myself possible, while pouring back into the local community.”
What Stays the Same
Everything that matters most remains unchanged.
Your accounts, your loans, and your relationships with the people at Gateway are not changing. The culture James helped build — one that puts people first, values authenticity, and treats every customer and employee as family — is exactly what Josh and Scott are committed to carrying forward.
“It’s both exciting and humbling to assume the role of President when James retires. What he has built through blood, sweat, and tears is truly impressive,” Scott says. “We will not stray from our core values of honesty and integrity. We don’t plan to make any material changes to the types of loans we originate. And we won’t sacrifice our standards for the sake of increased profit. What we will do is continue encouraging authenticity, working hard, and loving big. It’s Gateway’s recipe for success.”
Josh adds, “As CEO, I’m most excited to continue the culture and relationships James and our team have worked relentlessly to build over the past 20 years. My goal is honor and learn from Gateway’s past, strengthen its present, and help innovate and adapt, so we are as prepared for the ever-changing future as possible.”
As Josh and Scott step into their new roles, James will also remain on Gateway’s Board and Loan Committee for at least a year after retiring (through summer 2028) to continue guiding the bank through this transition. He may be stepping back, but he’s staying close.
A Note of Gratitude from James
“It’s been the opportunity of a lifetime to start a bank in a community I love and have called home for almost 30 years. I’m celebrating 40 years in banking this month and will have been at Gateway for 20 years on January 1, 2027.
Gateway is bigger than any one person, including me. We built it that way on purpose. Scott Morris, Josh Flake, and our entire team reflect everything that makes Gateway special: diverse, caring, and representing the best of what humanity has to offer.
I’m so grateful to every customer and employee who has trusted us, grown with us, and stayed with us through the hard years and the good ones. You are the reason we’re still here and thriving.
We are not your typical bank – and that won’t ever change!”
Have questions, or want to connect directly with James, Scott, or Josh? Reach them at 480-358-1000 or by email: jamesc@gcbaz.com, scottm@gcbaz.com, joshf@gcbaz.com