Our Leadership

Max Poll

Mr. Poll received his Bachelors of Business Administration from Western Michigan University and Masters of Hospital Administration from the University of Minnesota. His 35-year healthcare career included CEO positions at several hospital systems including Barnes Hospital in St Louis, MO., the primary teaching affiliate of Washington University School of Medicine and Scottsdale Healthcare System. Board positions have included the American Hospital Association, Association of American Medical Colleges and Voluntary Hospital of America, Inc., founding president of the International Genomics Consortium, a non-profit genomics research institute, Auxillio Inc., a healthcare image management company and the University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ. Mr. Poll was also a founding member of Goldwater Bank.

Nicholas Kissel

Mr. Kissel is a retired Certified Public Accountant and Ernst & Young Partner who spent thirty-seven years with that firm. He specialized in the financial services industry, auditing large multi-national bank holding companies and consulting on many facets of bank operations. Some of his clients included Bank of America, US Bancorp, ABN Amro and Huntington Bancshares. Upon retirement, he began working with the Ernst & Young Foundation developing and writing college courses on International Financial Reporting Standards and emerging accounting issues. He currently mentors MBA students at Arizona State University and lectures on emerging accounting issues. He resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife of forty-seven years, Lynda.

Kent Wiechert

Mr. Wiechert acquired Goldwater Bank and joined the Board of Directors in 2015. Mr. Wiechert also owns Weststar Mortgage Corporation, an independent mortgage banking, servicing, securitization and software firm which he founded in 1984. Kent has been responsible for establishing the business vision and strategy for both companies, resulting in consistent profitability and growth. He attended the University of New Mexico where he majored in finance and is a veteran of the US Navy. Kent’s extensive background in innovative technology solutions, private and agency loan servicing and mortgage loan origination provides the day-to-day leadership for the executive teams of both companies which in aggregate are constituted of over 50 different acquisitions which he’s conducted throughout his career in business.

Peter Hill

Mr. Hill serves as President and Chief Credit Officer of Goldwater Bank . He joined the Bank in March 2020 as Chief Credit Officer and was named President in July 2021. Mr. Hill has been in banking for 44 years, serving the Arizona market in positions ranging from loan officer to Chief Credit Officer and covering a full range of lending disciplines.

Mr. Hill earned his BS in Finance and MBA from Arizona State University. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Pursuing personal interests, he completed a BA in Anthropology at Arizona State University. Mr. Hill is a native of New Mexico and a graduate of New Mexico Military Institute.

Mr. Hill has been active in the community throughout his career leading and serving on the Boards of organizations such as the American Cancer Society, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Finance Council and Schools Board, the Risk Management Association, and numerous economic and business development organizations.

Julie Merhege

Ms. Merhege was an original member of the management and organizing executive team for the Bank since it chartered in 2007, serving as President and CEO from 2011 to 2017 and as President and COO until August 2021. Ms. Merhege is responsible for the operational management of the Bank, including audit and compliance, deposit operations and retail, information security, and regulatory relations. Ms. Merhege also serves as secretary to the Board of Directors, BSA and Compliance Officer for the Bank. Ms. Merhege has over 37 years of experience in business and banking in Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas where she oversaw the operational and retail divisions, led the merger and acquisition efforts, and numerous conversions of including core processing systems, and payroll and benefit systems. Ms. Merhege is a graduate of New Mexico State University with a BBA in Finance and Economics.

Jon Edwards

Mr. Edwards has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since January, 2010. Mr. Edwards has over 34 years of banking experience. Prior to joining Goldwater Bank, Mr. Edwards was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Community National Bank in Monmouth, Illinois. Mr. Edwards was also a member of the board of directors of Community National Bank. He is a graduate of William Penn College, with a Degree in Accounting and Economics, and the Graduate School of Banking from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Michael Ragsdale

Michael is the Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for Goldwater Bank. Michael received his Bachelor of Business Administration with emphasis in Business Computer Systems and Bachelor of Accountancy from New Mexico State University and has been a CPA since 1996. After receiving his degrees, he worked with Arthur Andersen, LLP on audit and computer consulting engagements. For the following 10 years, Michael served as the CFO of a mid-sized, national community bank. Prior to joining Goldwater Bank, he served for four years as the CFO of a large credit union and a mid-sized mortgage bank, Weststar Mortgage Corporation.

Kimberly Nunley

Mrs. Nunley is a retired CPA partner at Moss Adams LLP in New Mexico. During her career, Mrs. Nunley held significant leadership positions for Moss Adams LLP(2010 - 2016) Grant Thornton LLP(2002 – 2010) and Arthur Andersen LLP(1985 – 2002).

Her experience includes serving both public and private companies in financial services/banking, manufacturing and distribution, technology and government contractor sectors throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Kim’s specialties include: Audit and Attest, - Internal Audit/Enterprise Risk Management, - Internal Controls, - Due Diligence Consulting - buy and sale side of transactions, and - Business Performance. Upon retirement, she has provided consulting services in accounting and business consulting. Kim also serves in a board capacity for Integrion Company.

Cory Bearden

Cory Bearden is the President of the Mortgage Division. Cory is responsible for all retail, specialty products and correspondent origination and operation activities. Cory has been with Goldwater Bank for over 17 years. His experience includes serving his community as a firefighter for over 10 years and transitioned into the mortgage industry. Cory brings a wealth of mortgage industry knowledge and leadership to the mortgage division.