CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Networking for success
Management CU Rock Stars 2018

Networking for success

‘Members are not just a number.’

September 25, 2018
No Comments
Nick Woodard

Nick Woodard faced a tough challenge in 2013 as he jumped at the opportunity to become CEO at $61 million asset United Savings Credit Union in Fargo, N.D.

He was just 31 years old with eight years of experience in the financial services industry.

“It was a large undertaking,” Woodard says. “But I was so excited for the new challenge.”

One of his first projects: Overseeing construction of a new 6,000-square-foot main branch in downtown Fargo, a project first envisioned as a simple remodel with new carpeting.

“Downtown Fargo was undergoing a renaissance, and the project kept growing in scale for a number of good reasons,” he recalls. “One board member told me, ‘That turned out to be real expensive carpet.’”

‘I’ve tried to be a sponge.’

Woodard has been active in credit union industry groups throughout his career, including the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD) Board and CUNA’s Small Credit Union Committee. He’s also board chair of the Dakota League Services Corp.

In 2017, CUAD named Woodard—still one of the youngest credit union CEOs in the Dakotas—its Credit Union Professional of the Year.

“I’ve tried to be a sponge when I’m around other credit union professionals. It’s so important to be involved,” he says. “The networking and the feedback you get from these colleagues are so valuable. You have to network to make your credit union better.”

During Woodard’s tenure as CEO, United Savings’ assets have doubled. The credit union has updated its technology, overhauled its online presence, introduced mobile banking, launched remote deposit capture, completed a debit card conversion, and added business lending.

“For consumer loans, we put in a risk-rating system,” he says. “One of the big factors is the number of years a member has been with the credit union. That should count for something.”

The credit union has also expanded its community sponsorships and charitable activities, from cooking and serving meals at the Ronald McDonald House to holding backpack drives for schoolkids.

“Members are not just a number,” Woodard says. “You take care of your members, and you help the community.”

Meet the 2018 Credit Union Rock Stars

KEYWORDS Credit Union Rock Stars

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • House passes CUNA, League-led board modernization bill

  • Reps introduce bipartisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act

  • What workers want

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Vote for the 2023 CU Hero of the Year

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us