BISMARCK, N.D./SIOUX FALLS, S.D.–The Dakota Credit Union Association has recognized three Dakota credit union professionals for their outstanding individual achievements, while the association has also elected its new board.
Recognized were:
- Heather Fleck, VP of operations at Railway Credit Union in Mandan, N.D., who received the Professional of the Year Award. “This prestigious award honors one credit union professional each year from North or South Dakota that deserves recognition for their contribution to advance the credit union movement in their state and the nation by helping to craft an environment that allows credit unions to grow and prosper in order to better serve their members,” the DCUA said.
- George Jewett, a volunteer at Black Hills FCU in Rapid City, S.D., who was named Volunteer of the Year. “This award goes to one volunteer each year that has selflessly contributed time, effort, and talent to the development of the credit union movement in their state. Volunteers are an integral part of the credit union movement, and their contributions resonate throughout the credit union community by illuminating the most important part of the credit union structure,” the DCUA said.
- Jon Griffin, chief operating and risk officer with Capital Credit Union in Bismarck, N.D., who received the Emerging Leader of the Year Award. “This award recognizes one credit union employee each year from North or South Dakota that has shown proven dedication and enthusiasm for the credit union movement by executing the credit union mission and guiding the mission in new directions that enhance the overall vision of their organization,” the DCUA said.
Board Elected
Separately, the Dakota Credit Union Association (DCUA) held its Annual Meeting at the Denny Sanford Premier Convention Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. at which it elected its board.
The DCUA Board is made up of seven members consisting of three North Dakota division members and three South Dakota division members, along with one multi-state at-large position. Board members hold various positions on the DCUA Board of Directors that oversees the association as well as the Dakota League Service Corp (DLSC), the for-profit service corporation of DCUA.
The election resulted include:
- Dawn VanAsh was duly elected to be the new DCUA board member representing SD Division B and will be the DLSC 2nd vice chair. “She has been involved with credit unions for more than 30 years. Starting as a teller, she was promoted to several roles including loan officer and assistant manager, prior to becoming CEO of Oahe FCU in Pierre, S.D.,” the DCUA said. “A South Dakota native, she is a graduate of CUNA management School. Her previous work experience included retail sales and working for the State of South Dakota.”
- Melanie Stillwell was uncontested in ND Division A and has graciously volunteered to continue serving on the board as 1st Vice Chair. She is the CEO of Western Cooperative CU in Williston, N.D. and was first elected to the Association board in 2017. “Melanie has vast experience in the credit union industry, as a senior vice president of finance, as a former NCUA examiner, as an executive vice president, and as CEO. She holds degrees in both accounting and finance as well as a CPA certificate,” the association said.
Other Board Members
Other board members who have terms expiring next year or later include:
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Jarrod Reisner – SD Division A, board chair. “Jarrod began working at Black Hills FCU in Rapid City, S.D. in 2009. His current title is SVP/Chief Financial Officer. He graduated from SD State University with a BS in Management and holds a CPA license,” the CUAD said. “He has been on the CUAD board of directors since 2016, is a member of the SD GAC, and is a current board member for Midwest Business Solutions, LLC dba Pactola.”
- Sean Rinkenberger – Multi State At Large, 2nd vice chair. Sean has worked at First Community Credit Union in Jamestown, N.D. since 2015, starting as controller, and taking on the CFO role in 2016. He holds a CPA license and got his start in public accounting where he worked with financial institutions ranging in size from $20 million to over $1 billion in total assets, the CUAD said.
- Lacey Fetsch – ND Division B, secretary/treasurer. Lacey began working at University FCU in Grand Forks, N.D. in 2004 while attending the University of North Dakota. “After graduating from UND with a BA in Banking and Financial Economics, she became a full-time employee and held the titles of loan officer and director of operations before becoming CEO in 2016,” the association said. “She graduated with High Honors from CUNA Management School in 2018 and holds the Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation. She served as secretary of the Maurie C Byrne Chapter of Credit Unions from 2011 to 2017 and has served as the president of this chapter from 2017 to today.”
- Darla Schafer – ND Division C, DLSC Chair. “Before becoming the Manager of Flasher Community CU in Flasher, N.D.” the association said. “Darla served on the credit union’s board of directors. She holds an associate degree in Electronic Technology from Bismarck State College and an associate degree in Theology from Yankton College. Darla is a longtime member of the Credit Union Foundation of the Dakotas board and has been a member of the ND GAC for more than 10 years.”
- Jerry Peterson – SD Division C. DLSC first vice chair.
- “Jerry is a current board member of Consumer’s FCU in Gregory, S.D. where he has been a member since 1983. He began serving as a director in the early 1990s and has been a board member ever since,” the association said. “He has also served on the South Dakota Credit Union League Board and was on the association board when the two leagues first merged. Jerry retired from the Gregory County Register of Deeds, where he worked for 36 years. He continues to be active in community development and local charities.”