Dakota CU News & Notes

​Town & Country CU announces multiple promotions; Capital CU has new agriculture manager; a CEO opportunity in Minot, and much more! 

Town & Country CU Announces Promotions
Town & Country Credit Union values the expertise and experience of its people and provides opportunities for growth at every level. The following Town & Country Credit Union employees received promotions in January:  

• Jennifer Avery promoted to Senior Loan Servicing Associate - Minot
• Kayla Bechtold promoted to IT Business Analyst - Fargo
• Fred Beuchler promoted to Executive VP Chief Lending Officer - Minot
• Renata Buen promoted to Senior Vice President Mortgage - Minot
• Brett Fiddler promoted to Executive Mortgage Officer - Minot
• Chelsea Gleich promoted to Vice President Credit Union Services - Minot
• Christie Graves promoted to Senior Loan Servicing Associate - Fargo
• Heidi Hage promoted to Vice President Leadership & Development - Fargo
• Becky Huizenga promoted to Senior Business Loan Analyst - Minot
• Jake Klobuchar promoted to Fargo Market President - Fargo
• Jay Landsiedel promoted to Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer - Minot
• Sidney Lovelace promoted to Senior Member Services Representative - Minot
• Teresa Maczkowicz promoted to Collector – Fargo
• Stephen Sanford promoted to Digital Services Specialist - Fargo
• Kalli Schell promoted to Senior Executive Vice President - Minot
• MaKenna Tucker promoted to Senior Business Loan Analyst - Fargo
• Angela Yellow Hammer promoted to Core Services Lead – Minot

Congratulations to these Town & Country team members who make a positive difference every day. Town & Country Credit Union has been positively impacting the communities they serve for over 80 years. With 11 convenient locations in North Dakota, more than 150 employees and a focus on continual growth, they provide meaningful value to their more than 24,000 members every day.
 
Capital CU Announces Agriculture Manager VP
Capital Credit Union has announced the hiring of Chad Williams as agriculture manager vice president at their Mandan Branch, located at 600 E. Main St. In his new role, Williams will be responsible for the credit union’s agriculture loan and deposit portfolios, as well as collaboration with loan officers in all regions to deliver business products and services to existing and prospective members. In addition, he will oversee all agriculture services staff. Williams rejoins Capital Credit Union from Eide Bailly where he worked for two years as ag finance manager. Prior to that, he was ag manager vice president at Capital Credit Union’s Main Office in Bismarck. Williams graduated from Northern State University in 2000 with bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance.
 
Minot Women Connect Welcomes Motivational Speaker
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, Minot Women Connect will welcome Kristi Pfliger-Keller to Minot. Focusing on “Leading Yourself,” Pfliger-Keller will help attendees navigate their own leadership abilities with a strong focus on personal and professional development. Her high-energy sessions empower audiences and provide perspective and can help identify areas for change. She brings humor and real-life examples to her training which is relatable to audiences of many backgrounds. Due to her expertise, she is sought after on topics including leadership, effective management, and team building. Pfliger-Keller is a member of TrainND through Bismarck State College. Tickets for this event are open to the public (women and men) and are available for purchase on the Minot Chamber EDC website. Pfliger-Keller presentation will be at the Carnegie Center, Downtown Minot 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. For questions, contact Rianne Kuhn, Aspire CU.
 
CEO Opportunity in Minot
Aspire Credit Union in Minot, ND is seeking their next CEO in anticipation of the retirement of Mindee Kohlman. The preferred candidate is an energetic and experienced CEO capable of overseeing all aspects of the $165MM credit union while leading Aspire staff through strategic planning with the vision, mission, and values at the forefront to serve the credit union members. Click here for more details.
 
New SalesCU Training
DakCU has partnered with SalesCU for practical and proven sales techniques and strategies that actually work in a credit union setting to bring affordable and convenient sales training to our Dakota credit unions. If you want to develop employees who know how to sell in a way that adds value to the member and leaders who are empowered to drive results through developmental coaching and meaningful accountability, we have a solution for you! Additional information and registration is available here or contact George McDonald, Chief Officer of Strategic Services at 701.250.3942.
 
Ongoing Educational Opportunities
Be sure to check back often for professional development training to see all current virtual training sessions that DakCU offers in partnership with OnCourse Learning, CU Webinar Network, and CUNA. On our website, click the “Member Resources” link, and then select “Professional Development” link, and click “Training,” to see what is available. Don’t hesitate to contact Paige Langhoff if you need assistance registering for any of these courses or are looking for a particular topic or type of training. 
 
Leadership Development – Work at Your Own Pace
Our iLead@11 DakCU Emerging Leader Program is designed specifically for emerging leaders in the credit union industry, based on the popular Leadership@11 program designed by Eleven Performance Group. It is an ongoing program that allows participants to start whenever they want and determine their own pace to the program! Scholarships are available now through our relationship with Alloya Corporate. Contact George McDonald, Chief Officer of Strategic Services for more information.
 
National CU Youth Month
April is National Credit Union Youth Month, the time each year when credit unions teach and encourage kids to develop strong financial habits. This year’s theme is Unleash the Power of Saving at Your Credit Union™. During Youth Month, participating credit unions encourage kids to share, spend and save wisely through their credit union with giveaways, contests, virtual financial education and more. There are many easy ways for credit unions to celebrate. Learn more, get free resources, and purchase themed assets and products here. Don’t forget about your Pee Wee Young Savers members– this is a great time to have some extra giveaways on hand! Visit the Igloo Mall today and stock up on promotional items.
 
Attention CU Marketers
Did you know your association has created a collaborative marketing group inside of our DakCU Mobile App? If you want to know more about what other credit unions are doing in the Dakotas, need some marketing guidance or assistance, or just want to bounce ideas and thoughts off other marketers, you are invited to join! The group is a closed private feed within DakCU Mobile. Anyone can request to join the group; only accepted members can see the contents of this group which is exclusive to DakCU affiliated credit unions. Download DakCU Mobile (if you haven’t already) which is available for both Apple and android devices. When you first log in, using the same credentials as our dakcu.org website, you will receive a six-digit verification code in your DakCU registered email address that you will need to enter into the app. As long as you don’t log out, you will not have to enter another verification code. From there, choose “Groups” at the bottom. Select “Join Groups” and find “Marketing Community.” Wait for a DakCU moderator to let you in, and let the collaboration begin! If you have any questions please contact Lindsey Hefta, DakCU Director of Marketing.

Red River Chapter Fargo Force Night
The Red River Chapter has planned their “Fargo Force Night” for Thursday, March 16 at Scheels Arena. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Tickets  are just $15.00 each and includes regular seat in the blue zone and “all you can eat” wrist band – hotdogs, chips, popcorn, medium fountain drinks, 16oz Bud Light & Coors Light are all included. Everyone is welcome, so why not make it a family fun night! RSVPS by March 8 to [email protected].
 
Credit Unions United Chapter Meeting Planned
The Credit Unions United Chapter will meet on Tuesday, March 14 at Carnegie Center, 105 2nd Avenue SE, Minot. (Please park on the street.) Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. - Dinner – Happy Joe’s Pizza; and 7:00 p.m. program – Amy Kleinschmit – BSA Training. To make your credit union reservation, please contact Jennifer Jerauld at Town and Country Credit Union 701-420-6762 or [email protected] no later than March 9. 2023. This year, all attendees at regular meetings (February, March, April, May, and September, will be entered in a drawing to win $200 plus we will donate an additional $200 to the charity of their choosing. The winner will be announced at the Halloween Social in October.
 
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In the Spotlight
Do you know someone at your credit union or another credit union, either employee or volunteer, who has an interesting story?  Nominate them for the CU Professionals Spotlight by emailing their name and a brief explanation of why they are “Spotlight” material to Shawn Brummer.
 
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