Member Spotlight: Chris Blough

CUNA Councils
January 26, 2010 | COMMENTS

Chris Blough is CEO for Wayne County Community Federal Credit Union in Smithville, Ohio. An Ohio native, Chris graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in interpersonal communication and marketing (minor in economics) and spent the next decade or so in the world of consumer finance and banking before coming to the credit union world.

“When I came to my credit union we were in a downward trend, losing several hundred members a quarter and shrinking,” says Chris. “We were the ‘best-kept secret' in the county. Since then we have grown our assets by over $10 million, our membership by over 500, and our loan portfolio by over 15%. I have made it my own personal mission to be sure that we are the best in my county, and in no way a secret!”

Biggest challenge

Re-adjusting our priorities and budget after learning how much the NCUA Corporate Plan is going to cost our members.

Best advice

Never take "we have just always done it that way" as an excuse to remain mediocre!

Greatest benefit of Council membership

Brainstorming, seeing what the rest of the credit union world is dealing with, getting feedback on new ideas.

Best part of my job

Offering a service and a choice that is truly better than anything else out there!

Hardest part of my job

Dealing with the constraints of competing with the "big guys" on a little-guy budget.

Success story

We started a kids club from scratch and now have 200+ members who actively participate and attend our "club" functions!

Biggest misconception about my job

That I am the only one qualified to make decisions. I am a believer in empowerment and would much rather have someone make the wrong decision than to not make a decision because they fear being wrong.

Hobbies and interests

Camping, music, and wine with my wife and playing with my three boys.

Favorite music

Bob Dylan keeps getting the play time this week. Once the weather gets warmer it will change to Bob Marley!

Recent book

The Winners Manual by Coach Tressel—go Buckeyes!

Life goal not yet accomplished

To write a book for Generation X'ers like myself who were told we were underachievers—we are proving them wrong, people!

Favorite quote

"Imagination is more important than knowledge" (Albert Einstein).

If I could spend the day with anyone. . .

It would be myself at age 80 to get the rundown on the things I have to look forward to!

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

I explain the power of ownership, that our energy and resources are focused on our members and not on stockholders and profit goals. I explain that we are smaller because it makes it easier for our members to get to know us that way!

> Connect with Chris on CUNA Councils Connect