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Inaugural Credit Union Leadership Class Announced

WICHITA, KS (December 4, 2014) — An organization’s best investment? Talent. Employees with leadership skills can strengthen any organization, improve bottom lines and guarantee a successful future.

Based on credit union feedback and the need for developing tomorrow’s credit union leaders, the Kansas Credit Union Association created CUlead: Leadership Excellence and Development.

CUlead is a comprehensive, one-year, hands-on, interactive program for Kansas credit union staff who possess leadership potential and are ready to further develop their leadership skills.

To provide an intimate class setting to enhance leadership skills, class size was limited to 15 applicants.

The following credit union staff were selected as the inaugural class of CUlead:

  • Corey Winter, Branch Manager, Meritrust Credit Union, Wichita
  • Sharon Thornhill, VP/Assistant Manager, Bell Credit Union, Hutchinson
  • Mary Wehner, CFO, Central Star Credit Union, Wichita
  • Chris Correll, Branch Manager, Emporia State Federal Credit Union, Emporia
  • Christy Bales, Member Service Supervisor, Cessna Employees Credit Union, Wichita
  • Kimberly Beltran, Branch Manager, Mid American Credit Union, Wichita
  • Erik Breckenridge, Business Systems Manager, Meritrust Credit Union, Wichita
  • Preston Ford, Indirect Lending Manager, Educational Credit Union, Topeka
  • Rob Detrick, VP Branch Operations, Credit Union of America, Wichita
  • David Linderman, Accounting Manager, Quest Credit Union, Topeka
  • Michael Griffin, Branch Manager, Educational Credit Union,  Topeka
  • Geoff Strole, Mortgage Development Officer, Truity Credit Union, Lawrence
  • Donna Miller, Branch Manager, Heartland Credit Union, Hutchinson
  • Kelly Martin, AVP Operations, TECU Credit Union, Wichita
  • Jeremy Stauffacher, AVP of Retail Branch Operations, Heartland Credit Union, Hutchinson

“Top-notch employees are hard to find, and sometimes they are even harder to keep,” said Gina Evans, AVP of Education and Councils and CUlead Coordinator. “With statistics showing that many credit union executives are nearing retirement age, it’s more important than ever for credit unions to prepare for the future and develop staff to fill these top roles.”

CUlead is open to any credit union staff who shows leadership potential and is ready to enhance their leadership skills. The comprehensive curriculum, created specifically for future credit union leaders, covers everything from communication skills to regulator insights. The interactive sessions build and strengthen leadership and professional skills while group projects and field trips help students make connections that will last throughout their career.

The first session is Feb. 9-10, in conjunction with the Association’s annual Day at the Capitol in Topeka. Other sessions are in April, June, October and December.

View complete program schedule.

About The Kansas Credit Union Association
The Kansas Credit Union Association is the trade association for credit unions in Kansas, serving more than 646,000 Kansas consumers. Established in 1934, the Association’s mission is to assist member credit unions in meeting the needs of their members and potential members to further the success of the credit union movement.

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