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DakCU Staff Celebrate Milestones

7/27/2023

 
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​This week marks 30 years for our CFO Karla Clark and 15 years for our CEO Jeff Olson. A look at their successful career paths in the credit union industry! 
PictureKarla Clark
by Shawn Marie Brummer, Communications Specialist

This is a special week at the Dakota Credit Union Association, as we take a moment to reflect on the careers of two of our executives.

Karla Clark, CFO, marked 30 years of service to the association on Wednesday, July 26.
Jeff Olson, CEO, will reach his 15 year milestone on Friday, July 28.

Karla began her credit union career at Fargo VA FCU. Galen DeBey, then a league VP, learned that she was getting married and moving from Fargo to Bismarck. She was offered a position with ProData (the league-owned data processing division) and then, less than a year later, she moved into the league CFO position. The rest, as they say, is history.

Even though she has been with the organization for 30 years, Karla says there have been so many changes that it has never felt like “the same old job.” In fact, she has worked under five different name changes: ND CU League; Mid-America Credit Union League; Mid-America Credit Union Association; Credit Union Association of the Dakotas, and finally, Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU).

“Having the mentality to embrace change and be open to new things has helped me stay on my career path,” she shared, “Generally speaking, if you are in the credit union industry, you already have the principles of being a good and decent human being, working for a fair and helpful cause. It may sound cliché, but the people make the work worthwhile.”
​
She also has a few words of advice for those just starting in the industry: “Always be learning!  I believe credit unions offer many opportunities for growth that you wouldn’t get to experience in a more ‘corporate’ hierarchy.  Embrace the opportunities, ask questions, put in the work, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey along the way,” she concluded. 

PictureJeff Olson
​Jeff Olson has worked at the Dakota Credit Union Association since 2008. He has been the President/CEO since August 2015. Prior to that, he was the EVP of Governmental Affairs. He also served as interim CEO in 2009 and in 2015.
​
Before joining the credit union industry, Jeff was a partner in an advertising and marketing firm that specialized in public and media relations, corporate image branding, strategic marketing planning, and creative writing and production. He also served as a political strategist and consultant on several legislative campaigns and initiated measures throughout North Dakota. Early in his career, he worked in both radio and television as an on-air personality and news anchor/reporter throughout North Dakota and northern Minnesota.

Olson has a favorite quote attributed to Teddy Roosevelt: “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
​

To that, he adds, “It truly is an honor and privilege to lead the Dakota Credit Union Association and work on behalf of our credit unions across the Dakotas. I sincerely appreciate the support I have received from our member credit unions, and I am definitely looking forward to reaching the next big milestone in a few short years.”

 Please join us in congratulating both Karla and Jeff on their many achievements and years of dedicated service!


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  • Advocacy
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