First Western Bank & Trust would like to announce the following recent promotions:

Amy Makeef has been promoted to chief credit officer. Makeef is a native of Ryder and graduated from North Shore High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Minot State University and a master’s degree from Liberty University. She joined First Western in June 2021 and is located in Minot.

Ashley Garner has been promoted to compliance auditor III. Garner grew up in Bismarck, earning her bachelor of science in business administration and marketing at University of Mary, then earning her certified Community Bank Compliance Officer certificate at ICBA Community Banker University. She has been in the banking world for 11 years, and has been a part of the First Western team since 2018.

Zach Burdick has been promoted to vice president business banking manager. Burdick is a Devils Lake native, who graduated from Minot State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He also attended Graduate School of Banking in Wisconsin where he received an Executive Leadership Certificate in the School of Business. He joined First Western in September 2019.

Jersey Benson has been promoted to senior vice president ag and commercial lending manager. Benson is a Minot native, who graduated from Minot High School and University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in banking and financial economics. He began his career with First Western Bank & Trust in 2011.