In the Spotlight: Lacey Krueger from Affinity First FCU

​“We all have a calling to make other’s lives better and working at a credit union dedicated to improving lives is a great place to start,” says this CFO. 

by Shawn Marie Brummer, Communications Specialist

Lacey Krueger grew up on a ranch in the countryside near Minot, ND, and was named after her great grandfather, Lacy Greek.  Her family raised Black Angus cattle and hogs, and she spent many weekends showing livestock around the state as part of the local 4-H Club and at the Ward County Achievement Days, winning several Grand Champion ribbons over the years.  She enjoyed the small community of the Class B school system, graduating from Bishop Ryan High School where she played volleyball, basketball, and fast-pitch softball.  She was even named “Miss Softball 2008!”

Her mother worked at Trinity Health, which was affiliated with Triniservice FCU (now Affinity First FCU), and Lacey’s first experience with credit unions was as a member of the Pee Wee Penguin young savers club when her mother opened an account for her in 1994. 

After graduating from high school, Lacey began studying accounting at Minot State University.  She applied for a part-time teller position at Affinity First FCU, and in a short time was promoted to part-time loan processor. 

In 2012, the same year she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Management, she assumed the role of accountant, working closely with the CFO for the next two years.  When he retired in 2013, she was offered the CFO position and has been happily employed ever since!  In 2020, she assumed the additional title of COO.  She also completed the Dale Carnegie course, and was recognized with the Outstanding Project Award.

As CFO, Lacey is responsible for all financial aspects of the credit union, including preparing and analyzing financial statements, annual budgets, and ratios.  As COO, she ensures that operations – from managing front line staff to ordering supplies, all runs smoothly. 

“I truly believe in the People Helping People message – at work and in my personal life,” said Lacey.  “I feel that we all have a calling to make other’s lives better, and working at a credit union dedicated to improving lives in our community is a great place to start,” she added.

In addition to her career at the credit union, Lacey is a board member and secretary/treasurer for Independence, Inc. in Minot, an organization that works to remove barriers for those in the community with disabilities.  She also volunteers for Junior Achievement teaching financial literacy at local schools, and gives time to Lunch Pals and serving meals at a local soup kitchen.
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In her personal life, Lacey has been married to her high school sweetheart, Cole, since 2014.  They have two children: son Sullivan (4); daughter Salem (2); and another baby due in November.  When she is not working, you will likely find her playing outside with her husband and kids.  After the children are in bed, she enjoys curling up on the sofa eating popcorn with a good novel; she especially enjoys the writings of James Patterson.  On the rare night out, she and Cole both enjoy escape room challenges, something she says is a great way to test a relationship!  So far, they have explored about ten different escape rooms, with seven successful outcomes.

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