As often as possible, Steve Langley takes part in new employee orientations at Schools Financial Credit Union.

That’s not common practice for a senior vice president and chief retail officer, but Langley says he gets as much out of these sessions as the employees do.

He has two missions: To break the ice so fledgling staff know they can approach him with questions and suggestions, and to explain how credit unions work.

“I kind of give them an overview of how a credit union makes money,” Langley tells the CUNA News Podcast. “I want them to understand that when I ask them to do certain things, there’s a reason behind it.”

Perhaps Langley wants to explain the “why” behind his requests because he shares the same need for answers. One of the most common questions he asks staff is, “Why do we do that?”

That inquisitive nature has prompted organizational changes and strategic shifts that produce bottom-line results for the $1.9 billion asset credit union. In turn, last fall the CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council named Langley its Professional of the Year.

“I'm very appreciative of that award,” he says. “And I'm very appreciative of the great team that surrounds me that allows us to have the great results that we do. I don't take that for granted at all.”

In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Langley discusses a number of topics he’s passionate about: His work with the Credit Union Awareness Initiative, effecting and managing organizational change, and developing future leaders.

He also reflects on a serendipitous twist that took him from career Air Force man to respected credit union executive. That path has come around full circle: This year, Langley is serving as Honorary Vice Wing Commander at Travis Air Force Base, where he began his military service.

You can listen and subscribe to the CUNA News Podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store, Google Play, and Stitcher Radio.