5 minutes
Meet the 2014 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Top 15
Online voters and a panel of past finalists narrowed the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec field from 24 to the Top 15 applicants. The challenge, held in conjunction with DDJ Myers and administered by Currency, searches for emerging leaders age 35 and under from within the credit union industry.
The Top 15 will blog about their project on www.nexttopcreditunionexec.com. And to provide additional value to the competition experience, they’ll each receive an executive coaching session from DDJ Myers, a CUES Supplier member and strategic provider. A judging panel of two CUES members and Deedee Myers of DDJ Myers will then score the Top 15’s applications and blog posts, narrowing the competition to five finalists.
The five finalists will receive additional coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration to CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™, Nov. 2-5 in Amelia Island, Fla., where they will give their final presentations. The 2014 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec will receive further coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration for two CUES’ CEO Institutes, a total prize package valued at $20,000.
For the next several weeks, we’ll be checking in with the Top 15 to see how their project is going and learn a bit more about these next generation leaders.
Danny DeLaRosa
Market Vice President
$1.7 billion United Federal Credit Union
Reno, Nev.
Follow Danny on Twitter @delarosa_danny
Watch Danny’s CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec video
Give us the elevator speech about your project (as in how would you describe your project to someone you meet in an elevator?):
When businesses grow there is usually a need to hire a portion of the new positions created from outside of the organization. My project is designed to reduce the impact growth has on the staff and members. With my program, credit unions will be able to successfully blend multiple cultures without losing the foundation of who they are in the process. This will result in continued success and momentum for credit unions through the challenges of growth.
What is your long-term career goal?
My career will be measured by the impact on others, not on my individual title or achievements. My long-term goal is to be able to look back and to say that I have done everything that I could to make a difference. Right now I look around and I see people who started as tellers and I was able to help them reach their goals and they have been promoted to various roles, including management. It brings me joy to see others grow and develop.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
A plethora of young talent is entering the credit union world, and a significant number of senior executives are set to retire in the industry. Our future will be bright if we build off the legacy and work put in by our predecessors. It is imperative that the wisdom and knowledge of current leaders is received and paired with new ideas and perspectives. It’s like a relay race; if you run as an individual, chances are slim you will win. However, those who pass the baton as a team and use the previous runner’s momentum will end up the most successful. I value experience and wisdom from current leadership. I believe it is important to honor them and the success they have had.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
Passion; this generation is looking for substance. They are seeking a purpose. We are full of passion and a desire to make a difference. That may scare some, but as we focus our energy and pair it with a cause, we can do amazing things. My project is designed to embrace this energy and drive to align it with the credit union movement to serve our members and community.
People consider me a leader because …
It may sound cliché, but I lead by example. I have always liked the parable of the three servants and the talents in Matthew 25: 14-30. The reason it intrigued me so much is that the servant with five talents wasn’t expected to perform at the level of the servant with 10 talents. The expectation was that if you had 10, five or one, that you would use them. I don’t know if I have one, five, or 10 talents. All I know is that I plan to use them to serve others. I invest them in the people around me and they see my leadership through my serving.
Who is your hero and why?
My hero is Manuel DeLaRosa, my dad. He worked in a factory the majority of his life. When he wasn’t there, he was working on cars or building a pole barn for someone. His work crew consisted of me and my two brothers. We learned a lot from him. Sometimes the stories felt like they didn’t have a point. Then he would drive a point home and leave you thinking the rest of the day on how to get better. At times he would talk about management and how they treated employees. He would mention how it should be. I always wondered why he didn’t take the step into management. Honestly, I think he enjoyed the front lines. I remember going into management and thinking about my dad. The way he felt in his job and how the managers detracted from the importance of the factory workers. Every day I make it a point to show people I care about them individually and to try and help wherever I can.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
@ktmbeautiful showcases the beauty of Reno Tahoe. Follow them for a week and book your flight the next!
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts?
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
What is your favorite CUES member benefit? Or, if you are a new CUES NextGen member, what benefit are you most looking forward to using?
My favorite thing about being a CUES member is the CUES conferences. Every time I leave with new contacts, new ideas and a refreshed perspective on the credit union industry. I recommend them to any CU professional looking to grow and acquire new best practices.
