DelRae Zimmerman, board chair at $643 million asset Town & Country Credit Union, Minot, N.D., shares what attracted her to the credit union movement, her credit union’s strategic challenges, and advice for new board members.

Credit Union Directors Newsletter: How did you become involved in credit unions?

DelRae Zimmerman: I became involved with the credit union movement when I came to Town & Country Credit Union for my mortgage. I loved that they offered stellar service, competitive rates, and lower fees. I started referring my friends and family to join as well. As a board member, I’ve learned more about the credit union movement as a whole and become even more invested in the mission.

Q: What’s your full-time job and how does it inform your credit union role?

A: I’m a licensed Realtor and co-owner of Brokers 12 Real Estate in Minot. This gives me a unique perspective on the local real estate market and mortgage area of our credit union, which helps drive decisions for the credit union. I work with so many people from all walks of life across our community. Those glimpses into their lives and what they’re looking for in the community give me valuable insights into what our members and potential members are looking for as well, which informs our credit union strategy.

Q: What’s most rewarding about being a board member?

A: I love hearing about the positive financial impact we’ve made on our membership. There’s nothing better than hearing from a member who was able to achieve a big goal, like buying their first car, purchasing their first home, or financing a business—and knowing that our credit union team made it happen.

Q: What are your credit union’s top strategic imperatives?

A: Like many credit unions, one of our biggest strengths and challenges is attracting and retaining talent. To do so, we’re putting additional focus on succession planning, career mapping, and training. This is not only focused on tactical skills—although those are vital—it’s also about building leadership skills, teamwork, and accountability across the organization.

Q: When advocating for your credit union, what do you convey as the greatest benefit of membership?

A: Town & Country Credit Union has such a wide variety of financial products, we truly are your one-stop shop. Not only do we offer the retail deposit and loan products potential members want, we also have a robust mortgage department specializing in first-time home purchases and Veterans Administration loans, as well as a commercial and agricultural lending arm.

Q: What advice do you have for new board members?

A: Never be afraid to ask questions and speak up. We want to hear your thoughts. We thrive on creative discussions, and we all can learn from each other's unique experiences.