DakCU is thrilled to announce that we have chosen 13 young professionals as Summit Crashers for our 2025 Summit in Fargo! These emerging credit union talents will be attending all general sessions and will also be engaging in specific Crasher activities led by April Ales, Director, League Engagement at America’s Credit Unions. Crashers should prepare to be inspired and invigorated in their knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry! Congratulations to: Chelsea Hintz – Member Services Supervisor at Capital Credit Union (Flasher, ND) Chelsea joined the credit union world for career opportunities but stayed because of the impact she can make in her community. She enjoys helping members, particularly the elderly, navigate their finances with confidence. Her goal is to maintain a professional and welcoming atmosphere while serving her small-town community. Looking ahead, Chelsea hopes to continue growing in her role while building a large family of her own. Brittany Kirkeide – Member Services Representative at University Federal Credit Union (Grand Forks, ND) Brittany transitioned from sales to financial services, finding a new passion in helping members achieve their financial goals. In her role, she assists with teller duties, marketing initiatives, and financial counseling, striving to make a positive impact on her members’ financial well-being. One of her personal goals is to overcome her stage fright, and she has been taking steps to do so by challenging herself through karaoke. Taylor Klatt – Financial Services Officer at North Star Community Credit Union (Minot, ND) Taylor was inspired to join the credit union industry after watching her mother thrive in the field. Now, she helps members with loans, new accounts, and other financial needs, ensuring they leave happy and confident about their financial choices. Taylor’s long-term goal is to deepen her industry knowledge and continue advancing within the credit union world. A fun fact about her is that she was adopted by her stepfather when she was eight years old, a moment that holds deep significance for her. Andrew Messmer – Consumer Loan Officer at Vue Community Credit Union (Bismarck, ND) Andrew made the switch from banking to credit unions after being introduced to the industry through a personal connection. He now specializes in assisting members with loans and digital signing, making their financial decisions easier and more accessible. He finds great fulfillment in helping members secure loans that improve their lives. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, taking advantage of North Dakota’s natural beauty. Kaelixte Wagner – Administrative Communications Specialist at Black Hills Federal Credit Union (Rapid City, SD) Kaelixte is deeply passionate about financial well-being and internal communication, playing a key role in organizing board books, facilitating staff events, and ensuring smooth communication within the credit union. She enjoys bringing people together and ensuring operations run efficiently. Outside of work, she practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and actively competes in tournaments, constantly pushing herself to grow both personally and professionally. Josh Czajkowski – Agricultural Loan Officer at Hometown Credit Union (Kulm, ND) Josh has been a lifelong credit union member, so working in the industry was a natural fit. He specializes in agricultural lending, working closely with farmers and ranchers to secure financing that helps their businesses thrive. With a strong understanding of the agricultural industry, he hopes to continue growing in his career and one day become a Chief Lending Officer. A fun and unusual fact about him is that a childhood accident turned him into a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan! Alex Linn – Business Credit Analyst at Town & Country Credit Union (Fargo, ND) Alex plays a crucial role in analyzing financial data for business loans, helping local businesses grow and succeed. He enjoys seeing the direct impact of his work when businesses flourish due to well-structured financial plans. With an eye on leadership development, he hopes to expand his expertise and take on greater responsibilities in the future. One of his favorite memories is making a full-court basketball shot—a once-in-a-lifetime moment! Clay Greenwood – Risk Management Specialist at First Community Credit Union (Jamestown, ND) Clay started as an intern at the credit union and has worked his way into risk management, where he oversees vendor relations, insurance, and security. He enjoys knowing that his work helps protect both the credit union and its members by ensuring compliance and minimizing risks. His leadership skills extend beyond work—he was the youngest Exalted Ruler of his local Elks Lodge, a position that allowed him to serve his community in a meaningful way. Alex Gogola – Personal Financial Officer at Highmark FCU (Gillette, WY) Alex works in loan underwriting and member services, helping members navigate the borrowing process and ensuring their financial needs are met. He enjoys problem-solving and continuously works on improving policies to streamline loan processes. His goal is to make financial services more accessible and efficient for members. A quirky fact about him is that as a child, he once counted all the way to 11,000—just for fun! Adam Kleinsasser – Branch Manager at Bluestone FCU (Sioux Falls, ND) Coming from a credit union family, Adam was drawn to the industry from an early age. Now, as a branch manager, he oversees operations, supports his team, and helps members achieve their financial dreams. His passion for the credit union movement keeps him motivated to grow both personally and professionally. When he's not working, you can find him cheering on the Minnesota Vikings—he’s such a devoted fan that he even has season tickets! Drew Gertsch – VP Operations at Northern Hills Federal Credit Union (Sturgis, SD) Drew began his career as a teller and worked his way up through the industry with the help of strong mentors. Now, as VP of Operations, he is responsible for overseeing daily operations, implementing new services, and ensuring the credit union runs smoothly. He thrives on problem-solving and is always looking for ways to improve efficiency and member experience. A little-known fact about Drew is that he has formal opera training—quite the unique talent! Ashley Mohs – Retail Manager at First Community Credit Union (Wahpeton, ND) Since starting at the credit union in 2017, Ashley has been dedicated to helping members achieve financial stability. She oversees daily operations, ensures compliance, and manages a team committed to serving their community. Looking forward, she hopes to continue developing her leadership skills and advancing within the credit union. As a child, she had dreams of becoming a flight attendant, fascinated by the idea of traveling the world. Amee Rasmusson – Member Experience Coordinator at Aspire Community Federal Credit Union (Minot, ND) Amee was inspired by her mother, who had a 40-year career in the credit union industry. She now plays a key role in improving member experiences, handling account openings, online banking, and community outreach. She loves being part of an institution that prioritizes people over profits. A fun full-circle moment for her is that she grew up in the very credit union where she now works, making her role even more meaningful. Once again, congratulations to this year’s Summit Crashers! We received far more applications than we could accept this year, and because space is limited to 13, we had some very difficult decisions to make. We urge those who were not selected this year to register as a regular attendee for 2025 and to try again next year!
Not a Crasher? There’s still time to join us! Registering as a regular attendee at this year’s Summit DOES NOT exclude you from the Crasher program next year, or anytime in the future! This year’s Summit takes place May 12-14 at the Delta Hotel located in Fargo. Early bird pricing of just $429 per person is available through April 18. *After April 18, registration will be $479 per person. REGISTER NOW. Comments are closed.
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