Member Spotlight: Alison Wolf

CMBDC
December 29, 2008 | COMMENTS

Alison Wolf is vice president of marketing for FAA Credit Union in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Born in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, she moved with her family to Oklahoma as a young girl. After graduating from college in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in communications, she started her credit union career as a marketing specialist at a credit union in Oklahoma City. “From there I went to another credit union and served as assistant vice president of marketing, where I learned how to run a marketing department,” she says. “Fast-forward almost eight years later and I am now at a much larger credit union, managing a department of five.”

One of her biggest accomplishments was obtaining a master's degree in human relations (4.0 GPA) while working full time. Alison has been married for eight years and participates in triathlons around the state with her husband. She is also very active in the community, serving on the local Children's Miracle Network Council and the Arts Council.

Biggest challenge

The competition. With a number of community-based credit unions and banks, small and large, we have a challenge in differentiating ourselves in the minds of consumers.

Best advice

Relationships are the key in anything you do. Whether it's marketing to a member, a SEG group, a community organization, or management, building strong relationships will be more beneficial than a special promotion any day.

Greatest benefit of Council membership

Being able to get input from credit union professionals all over the nation. When looking for new ideas or trying to push through something you really believe in, it really helps to have the advice and experience of many marketing pros.

Best part of my job

Variety! I love that every day is different for me. I enjoy challenges and that marketing can mean so many things. I can get involved at any and every level to get the job done.

Hardest part of my job

Convincing others that crazy ideas can work! I am young compared to my peers who are at least 15 years my senior—sometimes they don't agree with the ideas our young deparment proposes, but that's okay because we love challenges and we are especially happy when they work.

Success story

We have a great marketing department at FAA Credit Union. We have a team that is energetic and loves trying new things. With four out of five of us being in the department less than a year, we have done some great things, including successfully redesigning most of our brochures, launching a new checking account, and successfully planning several large promotions.

Biggest misconception about your job

That it's full of fun! Most people see you going out and coming back with shopping bags or attending events—they think it's so "fun" to do those things. They don't see the side that requires you to always have a smile on your face and stand up for 12 hours at a time.

Hobbies/interests

Running, cycling, baking, cooking, reading, spending time with family.

Recent book

Give me a Break by John Stossel.

Life goal not yet accomplished

Travel to Europe.

Something that always makes me laugh

Any movie with Will Ferrell or Adam Sandler. I also love watching my two weenie dogs play—they crack me up.

What's in my iPod or MP3 player?

Any rock song with a good beat— Linkin Park, OkGo, Dashboard Confessional, Death Cab for Cutie, The Cure, Yellowcard, All American Rejects.

If you could spend a day with anyone . . .

It would be Oprah Winfrey. I admire her—not because she is wealthy and famous, but because she overcame poverty and didn't let it drag her down. She didn't use it as a crutch.

How would I convey the credit union difference to a potential new member?

I would show them how much money they can save. Ask them current credit card/loan rates and checking account fee schedule/savings rates and show them yours. Usually you can demonstrate hundreds of dollars worth of savings they could get by switching.