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
  • Contact

News

Home » A salute to veterans: Rhonda Hotard

A salute to veterans: Rhonda Hotard

CEO is a proud sponsor of veteran community.

November 14, 2019
No Comments
Rhonda Hotard

I served in the U.S. Navy from 1988 until 2002 as a petty officer second class aboard the USS Canopus AS-34 stationed in Kingsbay, Ga. While serving in the Navy, I met my husband, who was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

We finished our service and returned to our home state. I finished my college degree using the Montgomery GI Bill. We have two kids, one of whom is now a Marine Corps veteran and third-generation Marine.

I am a proud sponsor of our veteran community and actively volunteer with the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana Chapter 1. I realize that service and self-sacrifice sometimes come with a high price and I am honored to have given, and continue to give, in some small way.

My military experience really shaped the person that I have become in many ways. It helped me to realize the importance of teamwork and working with a diverse group of people to accomplish goals. I learned what “good” leadership looked like and I experienced what “poor” leadership looked like. I learned to pay attention to details. By being responsible for the electrical safety program onboard the USS Canopus, I was prepared for regulatory examinations by the NCUA and how to manage expectations.

I was able to translate the importance of training in the military to the same concept at Louisiana Federal Credit Union. One practice that we put in place many years ago is to require all new employees to go through teller training as part of our onboarding. Just like in the Marine Corps, where all Marines are a rifleman first. Here at Louisiana Federal, all employees are a teller first. We have to be able to understand the fundamental experience with the member when doing a transaction.

One of the most valuable lessons that I learned in the military was to be accepting of people because everyone has a story and every story is different.

► Click here to read more reader submitted stories.

KEYWORDS veterans

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Summer 2022

Summer 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2022 edition highlights inclusive lending, succession planning, fair lending and artificial intelligence, and the use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) as a competitive differentiator.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • CFPB issues advisory opinion on debt collection fees

  • CDFI Fund offering $1.73B to help communities recover from pandemic

  • Comment deadline extension needed for CFPB late fee ANPR

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Do you think credit unions should offer cryptocurrency services?

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
© 2022 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us