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My name is Blake, and I am CUES.

I joined Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union in 1978 as its first marketing director. I didn’t have a deep understanding for credit unions at the time, other than they were a good thing. I needed to learn and asked a colleague who was a marketing director for another credit union for resources. He told me he attended CUES events and that was the first time I learned of CUES.

The thing I liked about CUES, at that time, was they had a separate program just for marketers—which was back in the late ‘70s when credit unions were just beginning to hire marketing professionals. That was the one thing that really attracted me to CUES.

I applaud CUES because they’ve stuck to their guns over the years in regards to education. CUES has focused on executive development, training and bringing our industry more into the mainstream. CUES continues to be the flagship for that and I’ve always appreciated that.

In 1997, I was the first from our credit union to join CUES. Today we have 13 members. I’ve recommended CUES to quite a few colleagues. When my board wants to attend a CUES conference, there’s never a question in my mind that they’re going to a top-notch event that’s worth their while. As everyone is watching their nickels and dimes, I always know CUES events will be a good value with high quality speakers. I’ve been to a number of CUES’ conferences and executive education programs, among them CEO Institute and Advanced Leadership Institute, and they’re really intense. They’re really hard work, but you know you’ll get something you can sink your teeth into and immediately apply to your credit union.

When I attended the first year of CEO Institute I was an SVP of Operations. Shortly after that, my CEO retired and I got the job. CEO Institute certainly helped put me on that path—especially with my board. I have sent five of my VPs who’ve shown an interest in this position because I thought it was very important for them to get CEO Institute under their belts. Going to CEO Institute doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to be a great CEO, but it puts you on that path by giving you the training and the vision. You’ll gain exposure to other folks that are either CEOs or on that career path too.

There are times when a CEO needs someone to turn to for advice and insight. It’s nice to be able to rely on the contacts and friendships you build networking at CUES events. You know there are other people out there who’ve been through the same experiences you’re going through. You can always call someone who is walking the same path as you, and that’s very helpful.

My name is Blake, from Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, and I am CUES.