Meet the Crashers

Brigitte Husk

Brigitte Husk is the Compliance Officer at NorthCountry Federal Credit Union. She has 10 years of experience in the credit union industry, in a variety of fields and positions including Lending, Member Services, and Contact Center Manager. She currently is responsible for all the compliance activities of the credit union along with security and project management functions. Brigitte is currently enrolled in college and will be receiving her business degree in 2012. She is certified with CUNA as a BSA Specialist as well as a Credit Union Compliance Expert.

Kristin DeVleming

Kristin DeVleming is a Financial Analyst II, specializing in financial accounting at Spokane Teachers CU. In just over one very exciting year she has played an integral part in the conversion of the CU’s core system. In addition to the conversion, Kristin developed efficiencies and increased accuracy on the allowance for loan loss due to the changes in accounting standards.

Before Kristin called Spokane Teachers CU her favorite place to work in the entire world, she graduated from the University of Montana (Go Griz!) with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Leaving her native state of Montana, she began her career in Spokane, Washington working in cost accounting. Her professional career took off when Kristin decided to work in public accounting as an auditor. After having her first child in 2010, Kristin wanted to achieve a work-life balance which led her to STCU and she hasn’t looked back.

Kristin is a CPA candidate and is hoping to pass the exam within the year. She is actively involved in her alumni sorority chapter group, acting as a class lead in a nation-wide capital fundraising project. She has also been a reoccurring judge in “Q for Kids”, a local barbeque fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. In her personal time, Kristin enjoys chasing her toddler around the house, traveling, wine tasting, Starbucks, cooking, and reading (if she can ever find the time).

Corrin Maier

Corrin Maier is a product manager for MEMBERS Auto & Homeowners with CUNA Mutual Group. In this role she is responsible for helping to grow our individual property and casualty business. This includes developing strategic initiatives and collaborating with our partners, Liberty Mutual and Esurance, to protect more members and grow our overall consumer business.

Maier joined CUNA Mutual Group in 2004 as a sales and risk consultant, where she was accountable for underwriting of credit unions’ credit insurance and debt protection business. In 2006, she became an account consultant and was responsible for working with a sales executive to support credit unions’ needs. Then, in 2008, Maier assumed the role of sales planner and worked with sales and product executives to develop effective strategies and tools to introduce new developments to the marketplace and achieve sales goals.

Throughout her CUNA Mutual Group career, Maier has been nominated for CUNA Mutual Group’s Values in Practice Award 2009 and 2011. She was nominated for her consistent dedication to the organization’s six core values: integrity, passion, focus, collaboration, courage and innovation. Prior to joining CUNA Mutual Group, Maier worked for six years at Middleton Community Bank in retail banking and operations.

Maier graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in finance, investment and banking and in risk management and insurance. She is also a pursuant of a Master of Business Administration at Edgewood College. Maier holds Life, Health and Property & Casualty licenses in Wisconsin and a Chartered Property
Casualty Underwriter Certification (CPCU).

Outside of work, Maier is a 2010 Civitas Program member and has been a volunteer at Greater Bucky Open since 2008.
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Jana Mearns

Jana Mearns began her career in banking 8 years ago as a teller. In December 2009, she wised up and started working her way through the ranks at People’s Trust FCU. Six months in, she was named Happy Un-Banker of the 2nd Quarter, which later led to her being named Happy Un-Banker of the Year 2010 and awarded a trip to the America’s Credit Union Conference 2011. In October 2010, Jana represented People’s Trust FCU at the first CU Water Cooler Symposium. Jana is also the Leader of the Employee Co-op Club, an advocacy group within People’s Trust FCU. She is active in the Houston Chapter of Credit Unions and attends meetings regularly. Most recently she was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of the Virtual Branch.
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Kim Stewart

Kim Stewart has served as an Administrative Support Specialist for the Ohio Credit Union League since 2010. She promotes credit union grassroots efforts, outreach, and financial education initiatives that promote financial independence through credit unions. Her work on behalf of Ohio’s 379 credit unions includes facilitating legislative “Call-to-Actions”, Fundraising for the Ohio Credit Union Foundation, and assisting with marketing and the overall efforts of the League.

Prior to joining the League, Kim attended Otterbein College where she received a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications and Accounting.

When not fighting for Ohio’s credit unions, Kim makes time to travel.
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Anthony Fletcher

Anthony Fletcher is a native Louisianan; he grew up in the small town of Vacherie located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. He is a true southerner, who has staked his claim as resident of the DFW area for almost 6 years. Carrying along his family roots and traditions, he loves to cook (think, a more youthful male version of Paula Dean); is quite handy (Jack of all Trades); a lover of Apple’s “iAnything”; a New Orleans Saints fanatic; and seeker of knowledge (to include traveling, reading, writing, “Facebooking”, and many others). Anthony considers himself an adventurer, always
open and willing to trying new and exciting things. He prides himself on his love for family, his commitment to always giving 110% at everything he does, and most of all being the best person he can be.

Anthony is fairly new to the Credit Union family and started working at American Airlines Federal Credit Union in July of 2011, as an IT Project Manager. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and will be working on his Master of Science degree in Information Systems this fall. He lives in the DFW area with his “Best Friend” and adorable Chiranian (Chihuahua and Pomeranian mix) Sherlock. Anthony is excited about “CRASHING the GAC” and cannot wait to bring his southern charm and chivalry to the Capital. So get ready and Laissez les bon temps rouler!
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Jeremy Martin

Jeremy Martin is a loan underwriter with Navigator Credit Union in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In May of 2010, he received his undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of South Alabama and in April of 2011, he completed my Credit Union Developmental Education Certification. Jeremy has been working for credit unions for almost four years and is also part of the EDGE Steering Committee in the state of Mississippi. The EDGE Group is committed to the promotion of young credit union professionals under the age of 40 and EDGE serves as an outlet to network and meet other credit union professionals from all over. Jeremy really enjoys working for his credit union, because it has helped him remember where he came from and where he can go.

Jason Mertz

Jason Mertz was born and raised in New Jersey where he lived until he was 16. At the end of his sophomore year in high school his father received a job transfer that brought us out to Incline Village, NV. Immediately following high school, he moved to Reno where he attended the University of Nevada-Reno.

After three years working in retail, Jason and his partner moved to Redwood City, California in 2004. Once settled in California, the opportunity was presented to him for a position at My Credit Union, as a Member Service Representative. His responsibilities and duties quickly grew as he became more involved in other aspects of the credit union’s operations, including lending and accounting. It was also during this first year that he seized an opportunity to join the Board of Governors of the El Camino Chapter of the California Credit Union League.

In his 7 years in the credit union industry, he is much happier than he ever was in retail. Between the cooperative culture that he works in and knowing that every day he serves members and helps them reach their goals, truly makes this the perfect job for him.

In 2010 he reached his highest professional achievement when he graduated from Western CUNA Management School. Go Theta! He currently serve as Vice President of the El Camino Chapter of the California Credit Union League. In his current role as Senior Operations and Accounting Representative, he is tasked with running accounting, HR, and general
operations for the credit union.

Personally, Jason is in the homestretch of finishing his BA in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Jason and his partner still reside in the San Francisco Bay Area with their black lab, Tigger and their two cats, Tinkerbell & Hook.

He’s looking forward to joining the Cooperative Trust and working with other motivated credit union professionals from around the country to advance the movement.

Josh McAfee

Josh McAfee is the Marketing Director for Leaders Credit Union in Jackson, Tennessee. He is responsible for the brand appeal of a financial institution that is 27,000 members strong and $158 Million in assets. His job is ensuring that Leaders CU conveys the proper message that all five of the senses experience when a member engages our institution: in person, on phone or through the web.

He is 24 years old and an Arkansas native. Josh is a graduate of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing. His prior experience resides in the graphic design and pre-press environment, as well as third-party logistics and freight movement.

He has been employed in his current position with Leaders Credit Union for almost two years, and during that time they have grown nearly $30 Million in assets and over 5,000 members. Some notable achievements include re-launch of their retail website, release of mobile banking, business services, and implementation of a successful social media presence.

Josh holds positions with many of the industry trade peer groups, including Marketing Director of the CUES Greater Southern Council, member of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Education Committee, and a research associate with the Filene Research Institute’s i3 program. He was also named one of five regional finalists in the 2011 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec competition and is a contributing writer for CU Homepage. He also spends as much time as possible in the local West Tennessee community, serving as the Welcome Ministry Coordinator for Skyline Church of Christ and as an advisor to the Nova Elementary Title I Committee. Josh also serves on the Advisory Committee for Union University’s SIFE program.

Josh is married to his college sweetheart, Kristen. They have a beautiful one-month old baby boy named Jude Ryan and a four year-old Yorkshire terrier named Brinkley.

Dale Turner

Dale Turner is currently the Vice President of Lending at Eli Lilly FCU. Eli Lilly FCU, located in Indianapolis, Indiana was founded in 1930 for Eli Lilly employees, and has expanded to accept employees of Lilly contractors and other SEGs. Dale has lending and banking management experience in major Midwest markets including Indianapolis, Chicago, and Minneapolis. He currently oversees a loan portfolio of approximately $590 Million, which consists of mortgage and consumer loans.

Prior to arriving at Eli Lilly FCU, Dale spent 5 years as the Head of Retail Lending at First National Bank in northern Minnesota. He received his Bachelors Degree from Wabash College and his Graduate Banking Degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Ashley Lewis

Ashley Lewis is 31 years old and graduated from Averett University in 2003 with a BA in Journalism. She is the Staff Development Coordinator and trainer at Chesterfield Federal Credit Union in Richmond, VA. Ashley previously worked for a large bank as an Assistant Branch Manager, but then discovered the splendor of working within a credit union.

She enjoys the focus on their members and what they can do for them with their financial needs. She is excited to be a part of the 2012 GAC Crashers in DC and is looking forward to learning more and meeting other Crashers.

Ashly Platt

Ashly Platt has been with Educators Credit Union for over 5 years and is continuing her education in Marketing and Business Administration and will have a Masters Degree in a few years.

Last year she crashed with other CU professionals on a state level at the The League’s 77th Annual Convention & Exposition. The priceless tools and social networking acquired from crashing last year, makes her so thankful for this upcoming experience and cannot wait for March 18th.

Latonya Allen

Latonya Allen has been the Senior Member Service Representative for the Government Printing Office since September 7, 2004. She is responsible for delivering excellent member service and resolving all the members’ issues. Latonya is the founder of GPOFCU youth accounts established in 2005. She is the liaison for partnerships with the Covenant House and three of Friendship Public Charter Schools.

Latonya has eleven years of hands-on Financial Experience. Holding several different positions at DC Teacher’s FCU and Sequoia Bank now known as United Bank.

In 2000, Latonya’s financial career began as a staff assistant with DC Teachers FCU a well-established credit union in Washington, DC. Latonya was very motivated, inspired and inquisitive that’ she wanted to learn more. Throughout her career, Latonya knowledge base and credentials have progressed with on-going Education and training courses, including completion of the prestigious CUNA 2011 Credit Union Development Educator.

Community involvement has played an important role in Ms. Allen’s career, she is member of the National Youth Involvement Board .She is currently active in many credit union sponsored and community events within the Washington, DC Metropolitan area such as: Children Miracle Network and GPOFCU’S Financial Literacy Program for Friendship Public Charter School’s Academy.

Michael Molaka

Michael Molaka currently oversee the Fern Park branch for CFE Federal Credit Union. CFE is a 1.3 billion dollar credit union in the Orlando, Florida area. He has been with CFE for eight years and has worked as a Teller, MSR, Call Center agent, Assistant Manager, and Branch Manager. Having gone through CFE’s year long Management and Training program he has now managed four different branches over the last six years. Michael looks to create efficient and productive teams that capture the essence of people helping people. He has assisted with multiple projects for the operations team at CFE; ranging from new software evaluations, community involvement projects, and employee description updates. He is constantly looking for new projects to be participating in and is looking to growing his responsibilities within the Credit Union industry.

Michael recently became a part of the Central Florida Chapter board, and is now serving as its President for 2012. He also serves on the board of the Casselberry Chamber of Commerce and on the Seminole County Search Committee for a new superintendant. In 2012 he started his Masters Degree at the University of Florida’s where he will obtain his MBA in 2013. He is looking to expand his responsibilities during his graduate experience and would like to have the opportunity to enter into a more strategic management role in the near future.

John Cassidy

John Cassidy, senior communications specialist, CUNA Mutual Group, helps develop and support communication strategies for the Direct to Consumer business and Consumer Product areas designed to protect more members and their financial futures.

Prior to joining CUNA Mutual Group in 2010, John served as the Marketing & Business Development Officer at Charleston Area Federal Credit Union in Charleston, S.C. During his tenure, he developed strategies to increase asset size, wallet share, protect more members with insurance and investment products, and improve brand awareness. He led a rebranding effort that included the development of a new logo and website as well as the internal change management strategy during a data processor conversion.

John is a lifelong credit union member and is fully invested in the movement. He is excited to join the Cooperative Trust and “crash” with other young professionals who share his passion for credit unions. “Together, we can develop ideas and strategies that will enable credit unions to grow and serve future generations of members,” says John.