Currently serving as president and CEO of Valley Bank of Nevada, James R. York is its founding principal, where he chartered the first and only bank in his home town of North Las Vegas. York led his financial institution through the successful recovery of one of the most devastating economic downturns in history. He possesses an extensive background in the banking industry and has served in executive and senior management positions at various banks in the Las Vegas market for over 40 years. York has also managed commercial and corporate loan portfolios for a variety of institutions including Bank of America, First Interstate Bank and a number of local community banks. York is a native Nevadan and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Master’s Degree from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. He is also an alumnus of the College of Southern Nevada, where he earned an Associate of Arts Degree. In addition to his work with Valley Bank of Nevada, York served as Chairman of the Nevada Bankers Association and also as Chairman of the board of trustees for the College of Southern Nevada. He is also a 2003 graduate of the Leadership Las Vegas Program and past Chairman of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. As chairman of Nevada Bankers Association, York worked with the Finance Department at UNLV to develop a Commercial Banking Degree and internship program involving 15 plus Nevada Banks. This is one of only a few Commercial Banking Degrees offered in the country and it is providing career advice and professional jobs to our graduates, which keeps the local talent here in our community. He also assisted the College of Southern Nevada in creating a curriculum for a professional banking certificate. York is the first in his family to graduate from college and is married to a supportive wife, who was integral in helping him finish his college education and raising two valedictorians, who have graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.