Member Spotlight: Rita McCaslin

October 12, 2006

I started my credit union career in 1978 at a small credit union in Jackson, Tennessee called Conalco Credit Union. It was a three-person operation, so I was exposed to every area of the credit union’s operations. Within 60 days of being hired, the manager left and I took over all of the accounting functions. I worked there until 1985, when I began my career at Leaders Credit Union, where I started as a teller. Since then I have worked in many areas along the way to my current position of executive vice president.

I am a native Jacksonian and have lived here all my life. I am single and busy! I have no children of my own, but I have 11 wonderful nieces and nephews who I love and adore, and a little dog named Buford. I feel my life's purpose is to help those in need, especially children and seniors. I am on the board of our local child abuse prevention center and am also the producer for our Circles of Hope telethon, which raises more than $600,000 annually for the center. I am also a Chamber of Commerce ambassador, vice president of the CUES Greater Southern Council, and a credit union compliance expert (CUCE) through CUNA.

Biggest challenge for 2006

We implemented overdraft privilege earlier in the year and that took a great deal of my time and attention. Currently I am working on contracts relating to the sale of our Visa credit card portfolio. Personally, producing the telethon I mentioned earlier is always quite the challenge!

Best advice

Always ask the people who are doing the job what needs to be changed before you try to “fix” the problems. Not being on the front line with the members, I always want to get a complete understanding of the situation before writing polices or procedures for it.

Greatest benefit of being a Council member

Getting timely information and having a great website to get sample forms, policies, etc. Participating in the Listserv is a great resource for me. I enjoy the networking opportunities it provides.

Best part of my job

I work with exceptional people and also get to do what I love best every day—help people!

Hardest part of my job

Finding the time to get everything done. Getting and staying organized and focused is the key, but I don't always manage to comply!

Success story

We are very pleased and excited about our Sales and Service program. We began the process last summer, and have been relentless with it since. We are using CUNA’s program and have experienced measurable results from working the plan. In many ways, we have always been a “sales and service” focused credit union, but this program has given our employees the tools to do that part of their job even better.

Hobbies and interests

Music (I come from a musical family!), community service, watching HGTV!

People would be most surprised to learn that I . . .

Achieved a black belt in Taekwondo.

Life goal not yet achieved

Traveling to Scotland.

Something that makes you laugh

My sweet little nieces’ insights on life.

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

I would relax in my recliner and watch an episode of CSI!