MEMPHIS—Daniel Weickenand, CEO of Orion Federal Credit Union here, has been named CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business magazine.
Weickenand has devoted 25 years to the credit union industry. His management expertise in turning around distressed financial institutions led him to Orion in 2010. At that time, Orion’s membership was 49,000 and assets totaled just over $517 million.
“He made quick work of the lean years, and transitioned Orion to the successful member and community-focused institution it is today,” the credit union said in a statement.
Today, Orion has more than $700-million in assets and serves more than 62,000 members. The credit union’s mission is “To be the leading source of financial independence in the communities we serve.”
“I’m honored to be recognized with this award. Great accomplishments are rarely achieved by one individual, but by a group of individuals working together,” said Weickenand. “This is what has and is taking place at Orion, we pride ourselves on our commitment to the organization, each other, and our great community.”
Orion FCU said Weickenand’s comprehensive leadership strategy includes community support initiatives, impactful products and services, and outstanding customer service. Weickenand encourages all departments to collaborate to launch new ideas and better products for Orion members, building a stronger, better serving company, the credit union said.
According to Orion, Weickenand’s best known saying is, “A better Memphis, means a better Orion.”
“It is that philosophy that has led Orion to support many community initiatives through non-profits and sponsorships of a number of open and inclusive festivals,” the credit union said. “He is the kind of leader that promotes Orion’s social responsibility and common-sense efforts to give back in the neighborhoods of Memphis. Orion goes beyond financial sponsorships of many Memphis based non-profits by placing an importance on creating a relationship with these organizations. Orion encourages meaningful volunteer opportunities for employees to support their missions.”
As a community-minded leader, Orion FCU said Weickenand negotiated a deal in 2015 to build an Orion branch in Memphis’ Medical District. The LEED Silver facility was constructed on a contaminated site, which was once home to a dilapidated gas station. Orion FCU said it chose the site based on its commitment to impact the community.
“Orion went beyond reactivating a dead street corner and built a branch that would reflect the change and evolution going on in the Medical District of Memphis,” the credit union said. “This decision was more about bettering Memphis than Orion’s bottom line.”
OFCU added that Weickenand is an active volunteer, invested in the Memphis community, and has served on numerous non-profit boards in Memphis.