John Ikard is president and CEO of FirstBank Holding Company, Colorado's largest locally-owned banking organization. Since its first bank charter was granted in 1963, FirstBank has grown into a $7.8 billion organization with 110 locations and is well established in the marketplace as Colorado's premier consumer bank.

Originally from New Mexico, Ikard attended Colorado State University and received a BS in psychology and earned an MBA in Business Management at St. Edwards University in Austin. Ikard moved to Denver to begin his career with FirstBank in 1981 and has been president and CEO of FirstBank Holding Company since 1999. Currently his two passions are public education and The Children’s Hospital.

Ikard currently serves in a number of community leadership roles including the Governor’s Business Advisory Council, The Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, the Colorado State University Global Leadership Council, and the Wildlife Experience Advisory Board.

Ikard believes economic development does not happen by itself; someone must take a leadership position in terms of both organizing and leading our community towards smart, efficient, and equitable economic growth. The Metro Denver EDC has a proven track record of tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the Metro Denver area and an amazing record of success. In his opinion, no group delivers more “bang for the buck” than the Metro Denver EDC.