Chet Samuelson did not finish his high school education and bounced around until his natural skills led him to a job in accounting at an oil and gas company. He was 21 when his workplace mentor at that time pulled him aside, letting him know he was wasting his talents by not formally finishing his high school education and pursuing a college degree.
He took the advice, started college, and fast-tracked his bachelor’s and MBA, now boasting a 25+ year career in accounting and finance. He now serves as the Arizona market president and chief executive officer of B.O.K. Financial, managing 160 employees with over $2.4 billion in assets and $100 million in revenue generated in 2023.
B.O.K. Financial is a top U.S.-based regional financial services provider offering sophisticated financial solutions to businesses, institutions and individuals across the country. The firm builds relationships around a holistic view of its clients’ financial world and provides sound advice on which they can rely.
Samuelson has a history of starting and expanding a company’s business throughout his career. Early on, he expanded JP Morgan Chase Commercial Banking business into Idaho, growing its assets from $0 to $1 billion in less than four years. At Wells Fargo, he started the Global Bank for the eight mountain states in 2016. Since Samuelson joined B.O.K. in 2022, the bank went from not being recognized as a top 10 bank in AZ Big Media’s annual recognition to being the number two mid-sized bank in 2024.
He was recently named a top banker and recognized for excellence in banking. What Samuelson is most proud of is changing the culture for B.O.K. Financial in Arizona. “Over the last 18 months, he has created a culture in Arizona built on trust, collaboration, integrity, grit and respect,” said his staff. “This shift is resulting in greater productivity, higher job satisfaction and growth in revenue.”
According to Samuelson, leaders need to respect their fellow co-workers and employees, the value they bring to the team and the organization, and their unique cultural perspectives. “Empathy for your team is paramount to build solid rapport and loyalty,” he said. “Employees want a place to work where their leaders understand more than what they deliver for the business, but who they are and the unique situations they go through in their home life.”
Energetic leadership that is measured and deployed in the right moments drives the business forward, said Samuelson. “Without integrity, you don’t have a culture or the foundation to build a successful team and business,” he said.
