BELIZE CITY, Belize–In what may be an international record in credit union management, Dr. Jane Ellen Usher, CEO of Holy Redeemer Credit Union here, has just marked her 100th birthday.
Usher, who is known locally as Miss Jane, has been leading the $501.2 million ($250 million U.S.), 50,564 member-CU since 1956.
“True to her spirit, Miss Jane spent her birthday at work at HRCU, on Hydes Lane, where she initially worked as a clerk when she joined the organization in 1944,” Amandala.com reported. “She loves to go to her workplace, where she gets the opportunity to talk to staff members and of course, the member-owners of HRCU. She says she is humbled to be at the forefront as CEO of the largest credit union in Belize, which is also among the largest in the Caribbean region.”
Usher is the widow of the late Henry “Eagles” Usher, a well-known sportsman and credit union pioneer in Belize.
Usher told Amandala.com that being CEO can be stressful at times, but she has “very good people” whom she can depend on to get the work done.
Usher told the publication that she wants to assure the public that when she can no longer perform the functions of CEO at HRCU, there are well-qualified persons at HRCU who will be able to step into the role.
When asked what advice she might offer, Usher told Amandala.com it is to always think positive and to avoid being around people who are negative-thinking and prophets of doom and gloom.
Holy Redeemer Credit Union was founded with 75 cents in capital when three people put up 25 cents each.
During her lifetime, Usher also served as PUP Cabinet Minister of Health and Cooperatives from 1979 to 1984. From 1984 to 1989, she served as a member of the Opposition in the House of Representatives. From Sept. 15, 1989 and to 1, 1993, she served as the president of the Senate. Miss Jane became Director Emeritus of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union in 2012.
In 2013, Usher was awarded an honorary doctorate from Galen University for her long service to citizens of Belize.