A graduate of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Gary Teran holds a bachelor of science in finance, which he earned with magna cum laude honors, and a master of business administration (MBA) with a concentration in accounting. Gary Teran entered the professional sphere while still enrolled in the MBA program, accepting an accounting assistant position at Salt Lake City’s Sorenson Research/Abbott Labs.

After securing his master’s degree in 1979, Gary Teran passed all sections of the certified public accountant examination on the first sitting. He holds six different licenses through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, demonstrating knowledge and competence in areas such as investments, securities, and options.

Gary Teran joined Salt Lake City’s First Western Advisors in 1984, recruiting and managing as many as 50 registered representatives as a vice president with the firm. In 1997, he became president and chief executive officer at the company, and currently supervises or manages some $500 million in total assets.