Mr. Ahern is Managing Partner of Brush Creek Partners, Littleton, Colorado, a private investment vehicle focused on making investments in operating companies in the specialty finance, banking and financial services, manufacturing, distribution, media, and business and consumer services sectors. Mr. Ahern has held his current position since 2020. He also recently joined Castle Creek Capital, an alternative asset management firm focused on the community banking industry, as a Senior Advisor. He previously founded and served as Chairman and CEO of CIC Bancshares and Centennial Bank, Denver, Colorado until it was acquired in 2016 by Heartland Financial USA. Following the sale of CIC Bancshares, Mr. Ahern served as Executive Chairman of Centennial Bank and then Chairman of Citywide Banks, both Heartland Financial member banks, and also served as an Executive Vice President with Heartland Financial until 2019.Ahern was appointed to the Board in January 2024 and Horizon Bank s board in May 2023.Ahern is a member of the board of directors of Bank of Idaho Holding Company, Idaho Falls, Idaho, since July 2023, InBankshares, Corp Denver, Colorado, since November 2020, and Bancorp 34, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona, since January 2023. He is also Chairman of Investment Trust Company, a Colorado-based independent trust company since 2020. Mr. Ahern has extensive knowledge and experience in banking, balance sheet management, liquidity management, finance, accounting and banking rules and regulations.