SPOKANE VALLEY, WA (April 17, 2023) — Horizon Credit Union Market Area Leader and former Embark Credit Union President / CEO Deb Evans will retire later this month on April 28. She retires after 46 years in the financial industry and a 24-year career in credit unions.
She began working in credit unions in 1999 and joined Great Falls Teachers Federal Credit Union in 2001 as vice president of human resources, marketing and compliance. After a brief year-long departure from the organization, she returned in 2006 to accept the position of president / CEO. While leading the organization she helped oversee a rebranding of the credit union in 2013 to Embark Credit Union. Her title shifted to market area leader after Horizon and Embark joined forces in 2022.
Evans’ favorite part of working at credit unions is their people-first mentality. After leaving the banking industry she loved that members were at the heart and center of the credit union. “I found credit unions to be a welcome relief from the corporate forced sales and profit-driven mentality that permeated banking,” she said.
During her career Evans has put a strong emphasis on giving back to her community. She has served on multiple boards including the board of directors for United Way, the Great Falls Development Authority, the Great Falls Symphony, the University of Providence, the Great Falls International Airport and the Dean’s Advisory Committee at Great Falls College MSU. She has volunteered in multiple capacities including serving meals with Great Falls Rescue Mission, delivering food to seniors with Cascade Country Commodity Food Program, cleaning parks and yards for seniors and disabled residents with United Way and many other programs including animal clinics, various Rotary Club and Chamber events and participating in reading programs in schools and crisis centers for abused children.
Evans has truly embraced the ‘people helping people’ philosophy of credit unions. Throughout her career she has been recognized for her devotion to quality service and giving back to her community. In 2006 she received the Great Falls Chamber’s ATHENA award – an award honoring women who achieved high levels of professional accomplishment, excelled in their field and gave back to their community in meaningful ways. She was also recognized in 2017 as Montana’s Credit Union Professional of the Year, a peer-nominated award honoring individuals whose work and dedication stands out in the credit union industry.
In retirement, Evans is looking forward to learning new languages and musical instruments, while spending time traveling to Italy and other surrounding countries. She also plans to continue volunteering in her community both in familiar and new capacities. She has left a profound impact on her organization and her community and will be greatly missed. Everyone at Horizon Credit Union wishes her all the best in retirement!
Deb Evans
Horizon Credit Union is a growing not-for-profit financial cooperative with roots in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Founded in 1947 as a member-owned credit union, Horizon now serves over 113,000 members with 32 branch locations across four states. Horizon is committed to meaningful community involvement across the Northwest.
Brian Grytdal
Senior VP of Marketing & Facilities
509.928.6494
