Lee is the Chairman and CEO of Fortress Bank and principal shareholder, key organizer and President of the Bank’s parent company, First State Bancorporation, Inc. He is responsible for the strategic planning for the Bank and for the development of the Bank’s activities in its northern markets. Lee is an entrepreneur with considerable experience in the merger, acquisition and operations of small businesses. His experience in banking includes working as a bank and bank holding company examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and as an accountant and loan review specialist for a Denver CPA firm. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Finance degree from the University of Wyoming. Lee received his master’s degree from the University of Denver.