Tawnia Hertel Gerber
Fergus Federal Credit Union
Moore,MT
19
years of professional experience
Vision‑driven leader with nearly 20 years of banking experience and a deep operational understanding gained from serving in many credit union departments. Known for integrity, reliability, and responsible leadership that prioritizes member trust, staff well‑being, and the long‑term health of the organization. I lead with open communication, honesty, and respect, fostering a culture where employees feel supported, empowered, and equipped to succeed. Deeply connected to Central Montana and its surrounding communities, I bring a steady, people‑centered leadership style focused on long‑term stability and organizational excellence.
Work History
COO / VP
1 Year 2 Months- Worked with departments to enhance member services and streamline processes.
- Oversaw compliance initiatives, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies.
- Facilitated communication, fostering a collaborative environment among staff and departments.
- Facilitated regular lending meetings to discuss progress on strategic goals, identify opportunities for improvement, and address challenges proactively.
- Oversaw the development of new products or services from conception to market launch.
- Mentored employees at all levels within the organization to support their professional development goals.
- Influenced company culture by promoting core values like integrity, accountability, innovation, teamwork, and excellence throughout daily operations.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations to keep organization running smoothly.
Branch Manager
4 Years 11 Months- Led branch operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing service quality.
- Trained and mentored staff, fostering a high-performance team culture focused on customer service excellence.
- Oversaw daily activities, optimizing workflows to enhance operational efficiency and productivity within the branch.
- Managed budgeting processes, aligning branch financial goals with organizational objectives for sustainable growth.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings by enhancing service quality and resolving client issues promptly.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly through appraisals and feedback sessions to facilitate continuous development of skills and knowledge base within the team.
- Collaborated with senior leadership on strategic planning initiatives to align branch objectives with corporate goals.
- Managed branch financials including budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for accurate reporting and decision-making support.
- Enhanced branch production rates by handling staff conflicts, evaluations, hiring, and termination processes.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment.
- Checked payroll, vendor payments, commissions and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Oversaw daily branch operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining operational integrity.
Loan Officer
7 Years 5 Months- Evaluated loan applications to determine creditworthiness and compliance with regulations.
- Established relationships with members to facilitate effective communication throughout loan process.
- Analyzed financial information to recommend suitable loan products for diverse client needs.
- Mentored junior loan officers on best practices and regulatory requirements in lending processes.
Loan Clerk/Collections Officer
3 Years 5 Months- Processed loan applications, ensuring compliance with credit union policies and regulatory requirements.
- Reviewed documents for files and worked closely with loan officers.
- Maintained comprehensive records of loan transactions using advanced credit union software systems.
- Tracked communication with delinquent members.
- Perfected liens on collateral - worked with dealers and county treasurer offices
Vault Teller
1 Year 3 Months- Processed high-volume cash transactions with accuracy and efficiency.
- Managed vault inventory, ensuring secure storage and accountability of funds.
- Conducted regular audits to maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
- Trained new team members on operational procedures and best practices.
Teller
1 Year 2 Months- Processed customer transactions efficiently, ensuring accuracy and adherence to credit union policies.
- Assisted members with account inquiries, fostering strong customer relationships and satisfaction.
- Managed cash drawer operations, maintaining balanced accounts and minimizing discrepancies.
Skills
Operational Leadership • Conflict Resolution • Employee Coaching & Development • Accountability Culture Building • Cross‑Functional Collaboration • Process Improvement • Executive Communication • Responsible Decision‑Making • Commitment to Central Montana • Resilient
Ethical Leadership
Timeline
COO / VP
Fergus Federal Credit Union
06.2025 - CurrentRead More
Branch Manager
Altana Federal Credit Union
06.2020 - 05.2025Read More
Loan Officer
Fergus Federal Credit Union
12.2012 - 05.2020Read More
Loan Clerk/Collections Officer
Fergus Federal Credit Union
07.2009 - 12.2012Read More
Vault Teller
Fergus Federal Credit Union
04.2008 - 07.2009Read More
Teller
Fergus Federal Credit Union
02.2007 - 04.2008Read More