In the Spotlight…

​“I look forward to the changes and challenges coming,” says Tyler Gross, the newly named manager of Sioux Valley Co-op FCU in Watertown, SD. 

Tyler Gross

by Shawn Marie Brummer, Communications Specialist
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Just two months ago, Tyler Gross was named manager of Sioux Valley Co-op FCU in Watertown, South Dakota, upon the retirement of Kathy Lentsch. A staff member since 2010, Tyler previously held the role of senior loan analyst, and prior to that, he was the office assistant. Now a seasoned credit union veteran with years of experience, he is facing the new assignment with an enthusiastic excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead for him, and his team.

Tyler was born and raised in the city of Watertown, the oldest in a family of three boys. Even though they were “town kids”, several family members had working farms, and the kids were frequent visitors and helpers. During his middle and high school days, Tyler was a student athlete, participating in cross country and track. No matter what he did, his parents encouraged him to work hard. “I attribute my work ethic to my parents,” he stated. “At a very young age, they instilled in me the value of taking pride in what you do, no matter how large or small the task may be.”

After graduating from high school, Tyler enrolled at the School of Mines in Rapid City, where he began studying chemical engineering. However, after two years, he made the decision to switch his major. He returned to Watertown and enrolled in the business administration and accounting programs at Mount Marty College. There, he took night classes, earning his bachelor’s degree while working full-time for Walgreens. “My time with Walgreens helped me to develop a wide range of skills,” he recalled. “I helped in every part of the store – from the front register to the photo lab, and even the pharmacy.”
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Tyler was introduced to credit unions through a college friend, who suggested he apply for a job opening with Sioux Valley Coop FCU. His primary responsibilities in the beginning were filing titles and insurances and helping with daily member transactions. “I figured it would be a good way to get my foot in the door in the financial industry,” he shared.
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It didn’t take long for Tyler to become not just an employee, but part of a small and tight-knit credit union team. After working for the credit union for several years, he was given a new title: loan analyst. As such, he was primarily responsible for reviewing and approving loans, but also handled anything else where his financial, computer, and business skill set could be of use. 

When Kathy Lentsch announced her retirement, Tyler was proud to be recommended as her replacement. “I value the knowledge she has given me on how to conduct myself as a credit union professional and how to be a person that members can trust when they walk into the credit union,” he shared.
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In addition to taking on additional responsibilities at work with his recent promotion, Tyler has served on the board of the Dakota Credit Union Foundation since 2023, where he is the secretary/treasurer. He also volunteers in the community and is the current president of the Hosanna Lutheran Endowment Fund Committee.

On a personal note, Tyler has been married to his wife, Melissa, for 13 years. They have three daughters, twins Ellie and Natalie (age 10), who both play soccer, and Melanie, (age 5). Rounding out the family is their shih tzu – bichon mix, Gizmo.  

There is never a dull moment in the Tyler Gross household. Melissa works as a special education paraprofessional at the local elementary school. On the side, Tyler has a bookkeeping and tax preparation business, and each year he prepares more than 325 tax returns! In addition, he is a partner with his brothers in a construction business, where he handles the books.

In those rare moments when he is not working, he tries to spend as much time as possible with his family, and enjoys camping, fishing, golf, pheasant hunting, and traveling from time to time. Most recently, Tyler and Melissa, along with some close friends, traveled to Jamaica where they enjoyed the warm, sunny weather, multiple excursions and some golf.  

When asked what’s in store for Sioux Valley Co-op FCU in the future, Tyler responded, “Over the past 14+ years, I had the incredible privilege of learning under Kathy Lentsch's guidance and leadership. Her wisdom and unwavering dedication to the credit union's mission of people helping people has shaped my journey in profound ways. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities she’s provided and excited to carry forward her legacy and start my own. I look forward to the changes and challenges coming in the near future for our credit union.”

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