The Purpose.

The purpose of the Marketing Exchange will be to share and explore ideas on promoting EFT products and services but will also expand to other marketing challenges credit unions are currently facing. The Exchange will act in a cooperative way to help your credit union attract—and retain—members.

From among all volunteers, three members will be selected to represent each credit union size category—small, medium and large—to make up the nine-member Exchange. Efforts will be focused on getting the most impact from limited marketing resources and budgets.

The Basics.

We envision quarterly meetings of the Credit Union Marketing Exchange. They could be conducted via phone, the Web or in person, as the members determine. The meetings will provide collaborative, non-competitive environments in which ideas can be presented, discussed and shared. During an initial in-person meeting, members of the Exchange will determine the scheduling of future meetings.

For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Mary Warren at mary.warren@cu24.com or (877) 570-2824.

Paul S. Armstrong, CCUE Mr. Armstrong brings 34 years of experience in credit union management to theCredit Union Marketing Exchange, including the past eleven years as GeneralManager of Statewide Federal Credit Union of Flowood, Mississippi. A CertifiedCredit Union Executive, he has experience in all facets of credit union managementand governance. His past experience includes service as both Chairman and Directorof the Mississippi Credit Union Association. Mr. Armstrong holds degrees fromMississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, and he is aveteran of the U.S. Army.

George Balchev Mr. Balchev has been working for more than a decade in the marketing-andcommunications industry in both Europe and the United States. As the Webmaster of Alliant Credit Union of Chicago, he is responsible for the strategic planning and project management of the online marketing channel. His expertise includes design, information architecture, usability, brand identity, search-engine optimization and user interface design. In 2009 Alliant Credit Union was awarded two CUNA merit awards for online communication pieces developed by Mr. Balchev and his team.

Jim N. Craig Mr. Craig has more than eighteen years of marketing experience, including fifteen years in financial services and eleven years in management. His efforts have ranged from events and sponsorships to products and promotional activities. A member of the Product Advisory Committee of Geezeo, an online personal-finance resource, he has also served as a marketing consultant at Lifesteps, Inc., a nonprofit agency in Western Pennsylvania. Other previous experience includes serving as Marketing Director at IBM Texas Employees Federal Credit Union (now Amplify). Mr. Craig attended the University of Arizona and Pennsylvania State University.

Kim Deppe Kim Deppe joined Community First Credit Union in February 2008 as Vice President of Marketing. She previously spent 16 years at St. Vincent’s HealthCare in the same role. She has extensive experience in branding, marketing and crisis communications and worked on the communications for the merger (and subsequent dissolution of the merger) between Baptist Health and St. Vincent’s Health System.

Bill Pember With more than forty years of experience in the credit union and related industries, Mr. Pember currently serves as President of Putnam County Federal Credit Union of Palatka, Florida. In addition to his many leadership roles, he has achieved success in a variety of disciplines, including marketing, management, administration and human resources. He has served as President of six different credit unions throughout the country and holds a degree in business management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.

LaKeisha Ramseur Ms. Ramseur is Vice President of Member Services for Premier Federal Credit Union of Greensboro, North Carolina. A veteran of more than ten years in the credit union movement, she has experience as branch manager, call-center supervisor and operations manager. In her current position, she is directly responsible for research, implementation and enhancement of products and services that serve credit union members. Her responsibilities include assuring that all marketing channels are used efficiently and effectively to reach the target audience.

Alex Yarnall Since 2000, Mr. Yarnall has served as Marketing and Brand Manager for IBM Southeast Employees’ Federal Credit Union in Boca Raton, Florida. Prior to assuming that position, he was a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, also in Boca Raton. Mr. Yarnall has wide-ranging experience in areas as diverse as newproduct development, management, research and Web design. He is also a member of the Marketing Committee of Florida Credit Union Shared Services, a cooperative network of shared service centers and outlets. Mr. Yarnall holds a degree in marketing and economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.