Denver-based wealth manager First Western Financial has hired John Shope and Melissa Montgomery-Fitzsimmons to fill two new leadership roles.

Mr Shope will be executive vice president, sales and marketing, responsible for overseeing the firm's expanding sales and service infrastructure as well as managing the bank's marketing efforts. His background includes senior positions with Wachovia, BNY Mellon, Bank of America and AllianceBernstein.

Ms Montgomery-Fitzsimmons will be director of wealth planning, responsible for managing the firm's overall wealth planning effort, including coordination of all wealth management services at individual offices. She comes to First Western from JP Morgan in Denver, where she was vice president, wealth advisor.