Press
Third Generation Credit Union Exec to Take the Reins at Mazuma Credit Union
For Immediate Release
Contact: Angela Edwards
E-mail: aedwards@beyondmarketingllc.com
Phone: 913.541.1255, Ext. 5525
(KANSAS CITY, Mo., October 27, 2011) – Mazuma Credit Union announced today that Brandon Michaels, Vice President/CFO, will take over for retiring President/CEO Rob Givens, effective January 1, 2012. Givens announced his retirement in May 2011.
Michaels joined Mazuma in September 2009 coming to Kansas City from San Francisco Fire Credit Union in San Francisco, CA where he served as Vice President of Finance (Chief Financial Officer). Michaels has more than 15 years of credit union industry experience and is serving as the third generation of credit union executives in his family.
“As one of the few—or maybe I’m the only—third generation credit union CEO, this is a huge personal accomplishment. One that I am sure my mother and grandmother are proud of as well,” said Michaels. Michaels’ grandmother is a retired credit union CEO and his mother is the current CEO of Western Healthcare Federal Credit Union in Concord, CA.
After a nationwide search, Mazuma found their next CEO among its own executive team. John Walls, chairman of Mazuma’s board of directors, said, “After several intensive interviews, the [selection] committee recommended Brandon Michaels to replace Rob Givens. We all agreed that Brandon has all of the qualities we were looking for and has demonstrated as the current CFO the leadership and knowledge of the financial and social environments needed to continue Mazuma’s growth and progress into the future.”
Michaels began his career filing loan papers for his grandmother when he was 12 years old. “Notwithstanding the knowledge from both my mother and grandmother, the most important aspect I learned was the philosophy of the credit union movement,” said Michaels. Since 1908, the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ has been the mantra of the credit union industry.”
Michaels will continue the innovative principles that retiring CEO Rob Givens brought to Mazuma the past 10 years. “Mazuma will continue the innovative legacy we have enjoyed the last several years, and we will not stop changing. Any organization that stops adapting to the changing needs of members will soon find themselves extinct.”
One challenge Michaels would like to focus on is the youth movement within Mazuma. “I hope to infuse some youth and energy into positioning the credit union to capture a larger share of younger members. I hope to expand the walls of innovation and reach beyond our perceived cognitive boundaries. In order to change, we need to think differently. My career is focused on doing the best I can for our team members and our members,” said Michaels.
Michaels is part of The Crash Network, or The Crashers, a credit union movement consisting of young credit union professionals who “work hard to be an incubator that pushes the industry, and its young talent within, into the future through meet-ups, development projects, online collaboration and mentorships,” as explained by Brent Dixon, founder of The Crash Network.
“My work [within The Crash Network] has allowed me to see different perspectives and lead a very different mix of people than what you typically find in a finance/accounting department,” Michaels said.
“We all have a personal story that shapes how we lead, and the perspectives we bring to the table. My personal story is one of being a third generation CEO, but also one of being a former bank examiner, pilot, father, etc.”
Michaels has a Bachelors of Business Administration–Finance from the University of Oklahoma. His professional activities include: a member of Credit Union Executives Society (CUES) and Credit Union National Association (CUNA) CFO Council Committee, and selectee of Filene Research Institute’s 30 under 30 program. He graduated with high honors from the Western CUNA Management School, a degree program for credit union professionals. Michaels is a pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
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About Mazuma Credit Union
Established in 1948, Mazuma Credit Union serves more than 52,000 Members and has more than $450 million in assets. Mazuma is open to membership for those living or working in Cass, Clay and Jackson Counties in Missouri. For more information about the Credit Union that’s “all about you,” visit Mazuma’s Web site at www.mazuma.org, or contact Angela Edwards at aedwards@beyondmarketingllc.com.