Member Spotlight: Shelli Cumbee

CMBDC
September 20, 2006

I was born and raised in Harlan, Iowa, a small community in the southwest part of the state. I attended Iowa Western and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. After I graduated I began working at Metro Health Services Federal Credit Union in 1986 in Omaha. To be honest, when I had my interview, I didn't know much about credit unions. Later I moved to Vermillion, South Dakota, were I was the manager of the USD Federal Credit Union. I am currently the vice president of marketing at Dakotaland Federal Credit Union in Huron, South Dakota, and fully committed to the credit union movement. I live with my husband (who is also my boss and the president of the credit union) and my two children; I also have three stepchildren.

Biggest challenge for 2006

For the credit union as a whole, the biggest challenge is to adjust product offerings and interest rates in order to meet the rising interest rate environment. We also have five offices, and marketing for five offices in different communities is a challenge.

Best piece of advice

Promote your services along with your staff and your members. When you can promote products showing "real” people using them, it not only promotes the product, but it also promotes the credit union philosophy: “Where people are worth more than money.”

Greatest benefit of being a council member

I love the sharing of ideas. There are so many talented people in the credit union industry. I find it so valuable to be able to share success stories and to have a place to turn when you have questions. You know you can get the answers that you need. The Listserv is fantastic. With the Listserv I always have a place to turn and can’t imagine living without it!

Best part of my job

Everything! I love my job!

Hardest part of my job

Marketing for five different offices, three of which are in different communities.

Best success story

We are in the process of an electronic statement conversion campaign. The initial cost savings for the credit union will be over $13,000, plus the better service, efficiency, and security that it offers to our members.

Hobbies and interests

Biking, watching football and baseball, raising my children, painting, reading

People would be surprised to learn that I . . .

Am a 12-year cancer survivor.

Recent book

The Kiss by Danielle Steel. It’s a no-brainer book but great for relaxing!

Life goal yet to be achieved

To travel to Switzerland to visit the foreign exchange student who stayed with us last year.

Something that always makes me laugh

My brother! No matter what is happening, he always has something funny to say. He makes my cheeks hurt from laughing so much!

If you had an extra hour in the day . . .

I’d spend it with family and friends, just eating, talking, and relaxing.