A Final Update with Jay Kruse

​Jay bids a fond farewell to the Dakota CU Association; but he will not be far away as he begins the next step in his career as CEO of Norstar FCU. 

by Jay Kruse, a sharp dressed man, and former Chief Advocacy Officer

Today marks a bittersweet moment for me. For the past eight years, I have had the honor of serving Dakota credit unions as your Chief Advocacy Officer and lobbyist, leading our state's legislative advocacy efforts. Over that time, I have written 275 weekly legislative updates, and unfortunately, today, number 276 will be my last.

While I treasure my time here at your Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU), I'm thrilled to embark on a new chapter in my professional career. I'm grateful to have been chosen to succeed Jane Duerre, a former professional of the year and a future credit union Hall of Fame candidate, as the President/CEO of Norstar Federal Credit Union in Britton, SD.

I will undoubtedly miss working with the incredible team here at DakCU. I'm immensely proud of all that we've achieved over the last eight years, a testament to the collective strength of our team. In particular, I will miss working side by side in the same office with the amazing Amy Kleinschmit, whose dedication and hard work are unmatched. I am deeply grateful for all the support and guidance that Amy has provided me over the years, which has been instrumental in helping me reach where I am today. Her unwavering support and insight have been invaluable, and I will always cherish the memories of our time working together.

I thank Jeff Olson and the DakCU board of directors, as well as both states’ Government Affairs Committees, for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity to serve Dakota credit unions. Accepting a position at the Association back in 2015 was one of the best decisions of my life.
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But this isn't a goodbye; it’s really just a "see ya later." Norstar FCU is a proud DakCU member, and I look forward to continuing to see you all at industry events throughout the year. With the Summit just around the corner, I am also looking forward to seeing many of you there. For now, signing off…