BURLINGAME, CA (May 17, 2022) — As CEO for more than 24 years, Upward Credit Union President and CEO Linda White will pass the baton to board-appointed Jason Mertz-Pickett, who has served as the credit union’s vice president of operations for the past five and half years. The transition, which will take effect Sep. 1, is being heralded as a model for succession planning.
“Our members come first, and we serve them with a ferocious commitment to their financial well-being,” said Board Chair Annie Miller. “This meant that we needed to think ahead and create a leadership transition plan that could be activated to recognize Linda, while also minimizing any disruption to our current culture.”
White has been a thought leader throughout the credit union industry, serving on numerous committees with the California Credit Union League, Credit Union National Association, CUNA Mutual, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), and founding board member for the Healthcare Credit Union Association (HCUA).
One of her most meaningful contributions to the credit union movement is being a founding member of CUWLA (Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance), where she will serve as executive director after her post ends at Upward. Progressive, forward-thinking leadership with steadfast dedication to members, financial wellness and inclusivity, and a passion of people helping people, is what many credit her success within the industry.
“Over the past 37 years, longer than some of our employees have been alive, I have shepherded Upward Credit Union from $3 million in assets – from being in a damp, leaky office space in a medical building – to the thriving $100 million boutique credit union it is today,” White said.
“Linda’s lifelong commitment to learning has distinguished her amongst her peers as a thought leader and a person who will give voice to those most vulnerable,” said Susan Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates, a strategic consulting firm for the credit union industry.
Among White’s accomplishments include completing the Western CUNA Management School in 1990. She received the Distinguished Service Award along with the Grassroots Leader of the Year and the Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award in 2012 and 2018, respectively, awarded by the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. In perhaps her most life changing career accomplishment, she became a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) in 2019, a special program of the National Credit Union Foundation.
Her successor, Mertz-Pricket, followed suit, graduating with the CUDE designation in 2020. He, too, is a Western CUNA School graduate. He was a 2012 CUNA Government Affairs Conference crash participant and a 2014 winner of the Tomorrow Star Award, an honor for young professionals chosen by the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.
“We’re in the people helping people business here at Upward, and I’m excited for the future of our credit union and thank the Board for appointing me as the new CEO,” Mertz-Pricket said. “Under Linda’s direction, we have cultivated such a talented and dedicated team that connect, engage and help our members ‘soar Upward.’ My promise is that we will continue to put our members first, work as a team, and be an advocate for change.”
Prior to joining Upward, Mertz-Prickett spent 17 years with other credit unions in the bay area, working his way from a member service representative to C-Suite leader. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and an MBA from Western Governors University, in addition to many other industry certifications that recognize his accomplishments.
Upward Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution that serves the healthcare organizations of San Mateo and Redwood City, California, as well as many of the surrounding areas. For additional credit union information, visit them online at www.upwardcu.org or call them directly at 650-231-1300.
Linda White
CEO
lwhite@upwardcu.org
(650) 231-1300 x 101
www.upwardcu.org
