Pursuing work-life harmony

After graduating from high school, Randy Stolp aspired to be a musician. 

Although he still loves to sing, his current rock star status stems from his willingness to step up at his credit union, in the credit union industry, and in the community.

Stolp is chief information officer at $462 million asset My Community Credit Union in Midland, Texas, but his skills extend beyond information technology. 

Despite not being part of his job description, he oversaw the lease and remodel project when the credit union expanded into a new market. To resolve a human resources (HR) issue, he also managed an HR audit. And to fill the gap created by the departure of the marketing manager, he took on marketing responsibilities.

During this time, he oversaw a core and online banking conversion—completed on time with no significant issues.

Stolp serves on several Cornerstone League committees, including dean of its inaugural Leadership Academy, and he’s a member of the CUNA Technology Council Executive Committee. He was recently tapped for the Filene Research Institute’s i3 program.

He’s active within his community with volunteer initiatives that include cycling long distances to raise funds for cancer research. Stolp also is pursuing an MBA, and he and his wife are proud parents of a 17-year-old daughter.

Not surprisingly, Stolp’s biggest challenge is time. But it’s one he manages adroitly.

“I’m able to meet the rigors of a demanding schedule and still spend time with my family because I love what I do and have found work-life harmony versus work-life balance,” he says. 

“Work-life balance implies we are only one or the other,” he explains. “With work-life harmony, I flow in and out of each almost seamlessly, and I’m often in both, intertwined.”

Stolp also strives to bring people together. 

“Everything begins and ends with people. I am always leading with head and heart,” he explains. “I see my job as being an interpreter and collaborator.”

He seeks out different opinions and recognizes there’s more than one way to bring about a solution to a problem. 

“Without question, the favorite part of my job is the people,”  Stolp says. “Also without question, my least favorite is anything routine and repetitive. That’s what technology is for. Our people are for thinking, not pushing buttons.”

Stolp is grateful for “the amazing opportunities I’ve had, and I feel an obligation to give back. Even when I thought about success in the music world, it was so I would be able to donate a lot of money.”