Gina Chambers

A proven organizational builder with strong management and leadership skills for 30 years. Extensive experience in various facets of banking operations including management, internal controls, day to day operations, achieve organizational goals, training and procedural analysis. Good understanding of employee related issues and performances including interviewing, hiring, training, supervision, and development. Knowledgeable of compliance and marketing and how these areas impact the credit union. Possess significant experience in problem-solving, logistics, planning, design, and coordination. Committed and loyal leader eager to lead and grow the credit union.

Each bullet correlates with each bullet in the CEO job description.

· I have been in the credit union industry for over 30 years and witnessed change throughout the years. I have an adaptive mindset and am froward thinking to understand that changes are necessary to be successful. Compliance has reported to me over 10 years, so I have a good understanding of overall credit union regulations. I oversee the branches and review goals, expenses and personnel on a weekly basis. I also oversee Marketing and review their goals, budget, promotional pieces and the effectiveness of the marketing efforts. I have been involved in creating policies and procedures to help streamline processes or due to being required or recommended by regulators or auditors.

· I have been involved in team projects, developing a training program (internal and external) for general staff and leadership, supporting and sponsoring our High Performance Teams, developing and overseeing management meetings, branch manager meetings and MSR meetings. I am a huge advocate of staff input and miking them feel valued in having a voice. I encourage our employees to feel empowered to speak up and for them to be comfortable to approach any of the Senior Team and CEO. I have ongoing discussions with our Branch Managers about exceptional member service. This is a vital element of the credit unio that sets us apart from other financial institutions.

· I engage in all channels of communication such as emails to staff, speaking at staff events, presenting in board meetings, and other related credit union events. I support and attend events in the community. I have organized events with the local credit unions including the Financial Fitness Tournaments and the Fight Fraud Training. I encourage staff to network with their peers at other credit unions to share information and learn about their challenges. Networking is especially important in the credit union industry and I have connections with credit unions in the state and with vendors as well.

· Our communities we serve are important and I encourage our branches to participate at local events, especially with the upcoming name change. We have programs within the credit union that is in place to support the community such as Project Thank You, Credit Union Cares, Skip a pay, school backpack, and the Helping Hands Foundation. These programs exemplify our philosophy of ‘People Helping People’ and are especially important to continue for years to come. I am currently providing guidance to the staff that has volunteered to organize and communicate about these programs. Hearing and witnessing these efforts are so profound to see how we can impart our members and community.

· With most of our staff reporting directly or indirectly to me, I have been a part of the hiring process. I enjoy getting to know the candidates both professionally and personally. I am proud that many of the hires have been promoted within and have excelled in their positions. I was apart of developing the Job Shadowing Program that has been embraced by staff. I support remote work and flex time because it has proven to be a morale booster for staff.

· Being apart of Senior Team for 17 years, I have been actively involved in strategic discussions and decisions, researched industry trends, and completed due diligence on potential vendors. I have been the project lead for implementations such as core conversion, online banking conversion and our current name change project. Vendors reach out to me about upcoming products/services they are offering and provide the information to be evaluated by staff to determine if it may be a good fit for the credit union.

· Changes is important but buying in to it is more important. I believe in being transparent and explain the ‘why.’ Explaining the ‘why’ shows you care and I have personally heard from staff how much they appreciate knowing the why instead of just telling them about what is changing. Name change is a notable example of how staff has appreciated knowing the why and being a part of the process because the response has been incredibly positive. The teams I have led were encouraged and empowered to communicate and motivate staff to understand and buy-in to the reasons for the change.

· I present to the board on a regular basis and appreciate questions and feedback. I have formed relationships with past and present board members that I value. Providing the board with accurate reporting, guidance and transparency is the key to maintaining good relationships and trust with board and supervisory committee members.

· For 30 years, I have supported and lived by the credit union motto of ‘People Helping People’. I have attended advocacy meetings that support our local, state and federal officials because of the importance of them being advocates for the credit union industry. I maintain regular contact with other state CEOs, other credit union Senior Team members and young professionals through serving on industry committees, the chapter, the management conference and though other various channels. I have assisted other peers in answering questions or directing them to resources to assist them. I have developed friendships with many of our members over the years. Members like knowing they have someone to reach out to and trust.

· I am familiar with our credit union history and already consider myself an ambassador of the credit union. I represent the credit union in many of my roles and will be comfortable expanding that role throughout the communities we serve and will serve one day. As a leader, I participate in credit union and community events and try to set an example for others to participate. Growth is important for our future and all the opportunities will need to be evaluated on a regular basis. I am a huge advocate of our credit union, as well as others within the credit union. It takes a team to build an organization and no one can do it alone. It is important to surround yourself with people with specific skills and knowledge. We are where we are today because of teamwork.