In the Spotlight: Misty Winter!

“We are able to help so many people and it is
​truly satisfying to be a part of that,” says this VP
of MED5 Federal Credit Union! 

by Shawn Marie Brummer, Communications & Media Specialist

Misty Winter grew up near the small town of Mission, South Dakota, located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in the south-central portion of the state.  She, along with her three older brothers, attended Todd County High School, a very small school with a graduating class sizes typically under 80 students.
 
As a child, Misty says her parents taught her many valuable life lessons.  “My parents taught me that you must work hard and treat people with respect no matter what, and they showed me firsthand with their empathy and generosity to others,” she shared.  “They owned several businesses and worked together as a team my whole life – they truly are my heroes,” she added.
  
Throughout her school days, she was a football and basketball cheerleader, and was also a member of the golf team.  “We did not have much to do, so cruising up and down the main street was our weekend fun,” she recalled.  “We had to drive to Valentine, Nebraska or Winner, South Dakota if we wanted to experience ‘the city life,’” she expounded.

​During her high school years, she worked as a waitress, and after graduating, she moved to Rapid City to attend National American University in 1996.  She was studying business administration and marketing, when she saw a part-time teller position posted at the college career center.  She applied and began working at MED5 Federal Credit Union, where she continued working for the next four years, until shortly after she completed her bachelor’s degree in 1999. 

When a marketing position was offered to her at the Rapid City Journal, she really thought her career was taking off!  However, after working for the Journal for a brief 30-day stint, she knew she had made a mistake.  She called Pam Brown-Graff, CEO at MED5, and explained the situation.  She didn’t have to ask twice – Pam immediately offered her old job back, and Misty happily returned to the credit union world.  (The story continues to be a running joke between the two and is often shared with other employees and members at the credit union!)

In fact, Misty considers Pam Brown-Graff to be her primary career mentor.  “Without her direction, trust, and encouragement I would not be where I am today,” she stated.  “We were both raised with the same values, which is why after almost 25 years of working together, it still seems effortless.  She is such a hard worker and truly cares down to her core about MED5 members and employees.  She has been a true inspiration.”

She continues, “When I first started at the credit union, we were in a small office and were just celebrating the 10 million milestone.  Since then, we have built a beautiful new building and have now exceeded 100 million!  I think we all had a huge part in that, and we have a great team promoting our awesome credit union.”

In 2008, Misty was named VP of MED5.  In her role, she mainly deals with consumer lending, and leads mortgage lending (which she calls “her baby”) along with the management team.  “I love our members and what we at MED5 represent,” she says.  “We are able to help so many people and it is truly satisfying to be a part of that!” 
She also deals with compliance and regulations and says Amy Kleinschmit, DakCU’s Chief Compliance Officer, has taught her to LOVE compliance! 
​
In her personal life, Misty has been married to Bradley Winter for 20 years.  They were college sweethearts who dated for five years before marrying.  They now have two sons: Landin (17) and Tate (13).  The family has three dogs, two cats, and a ferret.  In their free time, you are likely to find them at their cozy cabin on Angostura Lake, where they tend to gather nearly every weekend in the summer so they can enjoy “surfing” behind the boat.  Misty also enjoys golf, a sport that Tate is embracing, and they are always looking for ways to enjoy those leisure activities
​a bit more.  

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