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My Name is John, and I am CUES.

I decided to join CUES because I wanted to continue my training and development. I’ve always been an insatiable learner and a strong believer in continuing to improve my understanding of the world at large. The organization of CUES and the people who are involved in it are focused on professional development, cooperation and service, and that impressed and appealed to me.

I tried the CUNA Management School, but after my first year there, I knew there was more to learn. I thought I should give CUES a chance. With the first training opportunity, I was hooked. CUES had just the right level of sophistication, diversity of content, quality of training and access to educational resources. I was able to look at my professional development in a new way, and what I thought I knew was constantly questioned and challenged. It was exciting to be a part of such a cooperative learning experience, and I continue to enjoy and benefit from the interaction with other professionals in my field. My favorite part of membership is being able to take advantage of the many excellent training opportunities and high quality conference CUES offers.

After I completed the CEO Institute program, I shared an idea I had with CUES: providing an online network for new CEOs. One of the things I most appreciate about CUES is the organization’s willingness to listen and respond, and this was no exception. They (Fred Johnson included) listened to my ideas for developing the program, and—after much refinement—the Premier Networking Groups were instituted in March 2010.*

Like everyone in the credit union world, I am a true believer in the value of service. My first job was in service to my country: I was in the military (Air Force and Navy) for more than 20 years, starting in Air Force Intelligence. I was on active duty for about nine years and recently retired from the Reserves. I appreciated my time in the Reserves, as it allowed me to continue serving my country while still working in the financial industry. While the world of the military and the credit union world might seem far removed from one another, they share some important, fundamental principles: service, honor, commitment, teamwork, respect for others. What I’ve learned in each place has affected my actions in the other, and I believe I’ve benefited both ways.

My first job in the financial services industry was as a loan officer with Norwest Financial. From there, I went to work at Bank of America. I was there for eight years in various capacities, from loan officer to branch manager and finally to vice president and northwest regional marketing manager.

After my time in banking, I worked for Boeing Employees Credit Union as a loan product manager and indirect lending manager. I then went to Washington State Employees Credit Union, where I was the Chief Lending Officer for more than five years. And now I’m with Salal, serving as President and CEO.

I’ve turned to CUES many times along the way to help me achieve my goals. As a matter of fact, I credit CUES with helping me to become a CEO. I was just in the process of finishing CEO Institute, and I leaned very heavily on my training at Wharton and Darden in developing a strategic plan for my application process. The training I received through CEO Institute was just as important to me as the training I received in an MBA program I completed years ago. I doubt I could have done as well without it.

I’m happy where I am right now as a CEO. I can’t imagine what there might be besides this, but, then again, I’ve said that before. I enjoy learning, and as long as I can be in a position that’s challenging me both intellectually and professionally, I am more than willing to work at it and do the best that I can. I don’t think there’s a job out there better than the job I’m in, so I may have reached my ultimate career goal here. And that’s an exciting place to be.

** Editor’s note: John’s suggestion to CUES resulted in the development of our Premier Networking Groups. Find out more here.