United Solutions Company is committed to helping credit unions become stronger, more efficient, and profitable. The Credit Union Rescue Team was created based on the philosophy of credit unions helping credit unions. Designed as a mentorship program, there is no charge to offer mentorship or receive a mentor! Learn all about our program at CreditUnionRescueTeam.com.
This week our CU Rescue Team mentors were asked the question “How did you end up in your current field?” Below is the response from some of our Mentors.
Terence Field:
I have always worked in the financial services industry in one form or another. I started my career working for a small local bank in the internal audit department (IA). IA is a great opportunity to see many aspects of an organization. After a couple of years in banking, I moved to an insurance company continuing in IA. This move allowed me to get exposed to another side of the financial services industry and working at the insurance company was strongly encouraged for professional development. During my time at the insurance company, I studied, sat for, and passed the Institute of Internal Auditors Professional Designation of Certified Internal Auditor. Continuing at the insurance company, I made the transfer out of IA to the finance department. In finance, my role was setting up the accounting systems for new insurance and annuity products. It was here that I developed my project management skills. After about five years at the insurance company, I left to join the CU that I have been at for almost 30 years. During my time here, I have been fortunate to oversee many different aspects of operations not just finance.
Sherman K Louis:
Prior to working for a credit union, my parents were members of our local credit union back home in St. Lucia. This was my introduction to the credit union industry. My first employment opportunity was with Commonwealth One Federal Credit Union, which I started 12 years ago as a Member Service Representative in our Contact Center. I made the moved into the IT department as a Core System Operator and am now the current Core Business Systems Manager.
Brian Smith-Vansergriff:
I had the unfortunate timing of entering college during the .com bubble and graduating with a degree in Computer Science a few weeks before September 11th, which presented some pretty extreme challenges for starting a career in my chosen field of technology. As luck would have it, one of my professors was aware of a local I.T. consultant that was providing support to a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) that needed to bring someone in as a full time I.T. Manager. After a few rounds of interviews, I was offered the job to work at the CUSO and lead their technology transformation.
Early in my time at the CUSO, I was able to leverage their tuition reimbursement program to pursue an M.B.A. and expand my business knowledge. As I wrapped up that degree, the firm strongly encouraged me to switch from a technology role to a role as an Analyst in the Client Strategies Group, which was my first direct contact with our credit union clients. Over the years, my role evolved to becoming a Portfolio Strategist providing Investment, Balance Sheet, and Liquidity advice to credit unions across the country. That led to becoming a Senior Strategist and helping lead the group. Ultimately, I was named the Executive Vice President of Client Services and Chief Strategist, which gave me the opportunity to lead all of our Brokerage, Reporting, Consulting, and Advisory activities, which covered hundreds of credit unions.
In 2014 I left the CUSO to become a Partner at FMSI, which allowed me to continue to work with many credit unions and provide a range of education and strategic guidance to our clients. The transition to FMSI also afforded me the flexibility to finish my Doctorate in Business Administration in 2016, which has expanded the opportunities for me to study our industry through a scientific lens.
Do you have a question to ask our trusted group of mentors? Email USC-Marketing@unitedsolutions.coop with your questions and check back at USC’s blog to see your answers! Have a question about our mentorship program? Email info@unitedsolutions.coop.
Get to know our mentors and sign up for our program at CreditUnionRescueTeam.com!