Member Spotlight: Amy McGraw

May 14, 2012 | COMMENTS

Amy McGraw is vice president of marketing for Tropical Financial Credit Union in Miramar, Florida—although she has plenty of ties to her native Michigan.

"I'm a die-hard Michigan State fan," says Amy. "I'm actually a third-generation Spartan—my grandfather, my mother, and I all graduated from Michigan State, so my blood runs very green!"

Amy graduated with a degree in telecommunications with a broadcast emphasis and spent much of her career producing live sporting events. She left the TV world when she realized she was missing all the important milestones in the lives of her children.

"I turned to a career in marketing, where I still could get a creative rush but have more time at home," she says. "Working for credit unions wasn't planned and I literally fell into my first job with credit unions back in 2001. I love the philosophy and have been hooked ever since."

Biggest credit union challenge

Loans, growth, loans, retention, loans, onboarding, loans, cross-sales, loans, loans, loans—sound familiar?

Best advice

Failure is simply the isolation of that which does not work—it is an important part of the creative process and shouldn't be feared!

Best part of my job

Walking through the door every morning.

Hardest part of my job

Getting all the other department approvals—the bottlenecks.

Credit union success story

Our "Swipe Where It Counts" promotion that we turned around in less than 24 hours after BOA announced their debit fee—we created the promotion to pay people up to $5/month for using their debit card. It has been so successful it is now a permanent product for all new checking accounts!

Biggest misconception about my job

People think it's easy.

Interests/hobbies

Anything underwater—diving, snorkeling, swimming, etc.

Recent book

Marketing in the Moment by Michael Tasner

Something that always makes me laugh

When I'm stressed my 22-year old daughter makes an "S" symbol on my forehead and says "Simba": I don't know why it's so funny but it always diffuses the stress!

Favorite music

Broadway show tunes! I'm currently playing "Only for Now" from Avenue Q—makes me laugh every time.

If I could spend a day with anyone it would be . . .

President Obama, so I can explain the credit union difference.