August 14, 2012
The 31 2012 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec www.ntcue.com challenge entrants all had inspiring, unique and innovative projects. Public voting narrowed the field to the Top 15. As part of their prize package, each will receive coaching from challenge sponsor DDJ Myers Ltd., a Phoenix-based CUES Supplier member.
In the next phase of the competition, the Top 15 will be scored on their original video application plus an additional blog post, by a judging panel of two CUES members and Deedee Myers, DDJ Myers CEO.
The five Finalists, to be named Sept. 25, will receive additional coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration to CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network. The finalists will make their final presentations—and the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec will be selected—at the conference, Nov. 4-7 in Manalapan, Fla. The winner will receive further coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration for two CUES’ CEO Institutes, a total prize package valued at $20,000.
For the next several weeks, we’ll be checking in with the Top 15 to see how their project is going and learn a bit more about these next generation leaders.
Peter Walker
Regional Branch Services Manager
$770 million OSU Federal Credit Union
Corvalis, Ore.
Follow Peter on Twitter: @CreditUnionPete
Watch Peter’s CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec video
Give us the elevator speech about your project (as in how would you describe your project to someone you meet in an elevator?):
When you’re an organization that asserts “unsurpassed service” as its daily mantra, the bar for excellence is pretty high! We all get so busy and focused on our jobs that at times we risk missing the amazing stories happening around us. Ten years ago I was asked to help with a new committee formed to introduce more formal service recognition into our corporate culture. Together, we created APEX: Achieving Performance Excellence. Staff nominate each other, our board picks the winners, and once a year we put on an awards ceremony at our annual Winter Gala banquet. All of this helps us focus on telling our story not only to our members and our communities, but also to each other! I’m very proud to have helped shape, build and promote this program.
What is your long-term career goal?
To always love what I do. Titles have never meant much to me. I want to keep growing and stretching, both professionally and personally. My ultimate goal would be to add value in an executive leadership role for OSU FCU someday, but I feel very satisfied and thankful as the regional branch services manager. It’s an amazing job!
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
… we aren’t shy about telling our story and sharing the credit union difference. That’s not a passive thing – credit unions offer something unique and often countercultural. It’s not hyperbole to say we can actually change the world!
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
…energy, creativity, and renewed passion and idealism about what our industry can accomplish. We’ve seen the worst of what the financial industry can produce in terms of greed, corruption and predatory behaviors toward customers. We have to do better for our members, as well as our economy and society as a whole. My generation believes it’s possible.
People consider me a leader because …
…I genuinely care about people, I’m hard-working and focused, and I’m willing to work alongside rather than delegate from a distance.
Who is your hero and why?
I can’t say I have one hero, because it feels unfair to put that much baggage on one person. There are few living individuals I admire more than Bishop Desmond Tutu, particularly for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of post-apartheid South Africa, as well as his ongoing work in human rights causes. I admire folks like Bill and Melinda Gates who have used their privilege and success to benefit others, as well as people like my father, who live honest lives working hard for their families. I also deeply admire my wife Jen, who challenges more traditional gender roles as both a pastor, and adjunct seminary faculty.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
@StephenAtHome – How would I get through the day without Stephen Colbert to help me make sense of it all?
