SSFCU named Skillsoft 2014 Innovation Award winner

Security Service Federal Credit Union has been recognized with a 2014 Innovation Award for Effective Elearning in Small and Medium Enterprises from Skillsoft, a pioneer in the field of technology-delivered learning. The credit union received the award in April at 2014 Global Skillsoft Perspectives, Skillsoft’s annual user conference in Las Vegas.

Skillsoft annually honors customers for their significant achievements in corporate learning and development, recognizing innovative ideas and inspiring leaders who are helping to transform the learning landscape.

Skillsoft SSFCU award(from left) Stefani Perez, supervisor, design and development training; Jim Dreher, human resources manager for leadership and development; and Steffani Hobelman, senior design and development trainer, accept the Skillsoft Innovation Award in Las Vegas.

“SSFCU is an organization that truly values the benefits of learning, and strives to fully integrate it within its culture,” said Jerry Nine, Chief Operating Officer, Skillsoft. “We are proud to honor SSFCU for their accomplishments in utilizing learning technology to drive performance, deliver business value and maximize employee engagement.”

SSFCU received the award for Effective Elearning in Small and Medium Enterprises, and was honored for implementing learning programs that directly impact its business objectives. In particular, the program supports the development of managers and supervisors, and has led to increased employee engagement and revenue, and decreased employee turnover.

“We are thrilled to receive this award, particularly because one of our core values is ‘Innovative.’  Investing in our employees is a top priority, and by taking full advantage of Skillsoft technology, we are able to use the most effective means of enabling our employees to learn and grow,” said Molly Daniels, senior vice president of human resources at SSFCU.

This year’s awards were judged by an independent panel of industry experts including Cushing Anderson of IDCTodd Tauber of Bersin by Deloitte, Laci Loew of Brandon Hall Group, Mollie Lombardi of Aberdeen Group, Joe DiDonato of Elearning! MagazineCatherine Upton of Elearning! Magazine, Ladan Nikravan of Chief Learning Officer and Craig Weiss of E-Learning 24/7.

For more information on the 2014 Innovation Awards and Global Skillsoft Perspectives, please visit the awards website here.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.9 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.

About Skillsoft
Skillsoft is a pioneer in the field of learning with a long history of innovation. Skillsoft provides cloud based learning solutions for its customers worldwide, ranging from global enterprises, government, and education to mid-sized and small businesses. Skillsoft’s customer support teams draw on a wealth of in-house experience and a comprehensive learning e-library to develop off-the-shelf and custom learning programs tailored to cost-effectively meet customer needs. Skillsoft’s courses, books and videos have been developed by industry leading learning experts to ensure that they maximize business skills, performance and talent development.

Skillsoft currently serves over 6,000 customers and more than 19,000,000 learners around the world.  Skillsoft is on the web at www.Skillsoft.com.

Skillsoft, the Skillsoft logo, Skillport, Search & Learn, SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide, Dialogue, Quickskill and inGenius are trademarks or registered trademarks of Skillsoft Ireland Limited in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SSFCU Promotes Hartmann to AVP of Commercial Services

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) has promoted Marilyn Hartmann to assistant vice president of commercial services, responsible for overseeing SSFCU’s commercial loan production in all credit union markets, compliance, and training and mentoring of commercial loan officers. She was previously manager of commercial loan production.

MHartmannHartmann joined SSFCU in 2004 as a senior commercial loan officer. She has been named SSFCU employee of the month twice and has been instrumental in the success of the commercial services department.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies and Spanish with a minor in business from Central College in Pella, Iowa. A graduate of both the New Braunfels Chamber’s Leadership Program and the Seguin Chamber’s Leadership Program, Hartmann is an active committee volunteer for many non-profits, including CCIM, CREW San Antonio, National Association of Women Business Owners, North Chamber of Commerce and New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and is a board member for Central Texas Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.9 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.

 

Volunteer Spotlight – How 2 Series Chair: David Rodriguez, Generations Federal Credit Union

Rodriguez_David_articleDavid Rodriguez
Generations Federal Credit Union

About the Company: For nearly 75 years, Generations FCU has been an advocate of financial growth and development within the community, offering award-winning financial education classes, as well as products and services that truly make a difference.  Generations strives to be a trusted advisor, offering personal attention that provides members with the financial skills they need to be successful.  Their tailored approach to banking enables them to deliver personalized service for both businesses and consumers.

About the Program: The North SA Chamber is committed to small business development and has designed this series specifically to offer big ideas for small businesses. The How 2 Series offers information to help businesses improve every aspect of their business with practical operational knowledge – Check the North SA Chamber Calendar of Events to see the most recent topic for the series.

Personally Speaking:  As the Financial Education Manager for Generations, David oversees the ideation and development of small business workshops that cover critical topics such as human resources, marketing, lending, financials and logistics.  Recently appointed as the How-To-Series Committee Chair, David understands the impact the Chamber and the Series can have for small business owners, enabling them to thrive, succeed and shape our economy.

SSFCU donates to two San Antonio Nonprofits serving women and seniors

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Charitable Foundation recently presented San Antonio’s Southwest Outreach for Older People (SWOOP) with a grant of $5,000 and the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter of Bexar County with a grant of $10,000.

SWOOP serves seniors in southwest San Antonio as a free transportation service that helps them get to doctors, pharmacies, banks and grocery stores. It’s a door-through-door service in safe, private vehicles for seniors who have no friends or family to rely on. SWOOP currently serves 230 seniors in just its second year of operation, and the grant funds will be used to support its volunteer program, including mileage reimbursement and training for this dynamic program.

SWOOP_SSFCUFrom left: Eileen Mares, SWOOP treasurer/secretary and SSFCU branch manager; Joan Fisher, SWOOP executive director; Dottye Williams, Ph.D., SWOOP president, and Jim Laffoon: SSFCU President and CEO

The Battered Women and Children’s Shelter is the only shelter in Bexar County for abused women and children. In recent months, the shelter has reached nearly 200 people a month – turning no one away. The grant will be used to provide victims of family violence a place of safety and help transitioning to self-sufficiency.

BatteredWomen's Shelter_SSFCUFrom left:  Mark Jimenez,  SSFCU assistant vice president of network engineering  and support, Marta Pelaez, president and CEO of the Battered Women’s Shelter, and Jim Laffoon, SSFCU president and CEO. 

“It is our great joy and honor to be able to help organizations like SWOOP and the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter that are grounded in building a better future for the most vulnerable in our community, providing important systems and supports to make life easier,” said Jim Laffoon, president of the Security Service Charitable Foundation and president and chief executive officer for Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU).

The Security Service Charitable Foundation helps further SSFCU’s corporate goal of community service by contributing to deserving organizations and causes in the credit union’s market areas.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.5 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.

Two changes in Security Service Federal Credit Union mortgage department

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) is pleased to announce that Michael Manley has been promoted to assistant vice president of mortgage operations responsible for underwriting/closing/post-closing and secondary marketing functions of the SSFCU mortgage services department. He was previously assistant vice president of mortgage services.

SSFCU_MikeManleyManley joined SSFCU in 1992 as a senior loan officer after serving as a contract specialist with the Resolution Trust Corporation/Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In his new position, he will be able to direct his team to operate more efficiently and effectively to enhance each member’s experience. He holds a bachelor of business administration degree in finance from the University of Houston and is a candidate for the Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation awarded by the National Mortgage Bankers Association. He also serves on the board of directors for the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association.

SSFCU_SluzevichIn addition, Aaron Sluzevich has joined Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) as the credit union’s new assistant vice president of mortgage originations, responsible for cultivating the growth of the mortgage originations platform, offering competitive mortgage related products while streamlining the process to enhance member service.

With 13 years experience in mortgage lending, Sluzevich was the mortgage originations supervisor at Florida-based VyStar Credit Union prior to joining SSFCU.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Colorado State University and is a member of Sigma Chi – Beta Tau Chapter.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.5 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.

UNITED SA Federal Credit Union announces new Board Chairperson

PrintUNITED SA Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Gregory as chairperson of the board of directors. Mr. Gregory has been a certified public accountant in San Antonio for 29 years and is the managing member of the CPA firm of Gregory & Crutchfield, LLC.  He also has experience in banking, real estate and the oil and gas industry.

At the 59th annual membership meeting held on March 6, 2014 at the credit union’s headquarters, Peter Hugdahl was re-elected and Arthur Settles was elected to serve on the board. Directors are elected annually by credit union members and serve three-year terms on a voluntary basis.

Bill_Gregory_5x7_colorServing on the board in 2014 with Mr. Gregory will be: Rick Tobias, vice chairperson; Don Mann, treasurer; Richard Baggs, secretary; Peter Hugdahl; Rosaura Ramirez; John Rees; and Arthur Settles.

About UNITED SA Federal Credit Union
Now in its 59th year, UNITED SA Federal Credit Union is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The credit union’s field of membership includes those who live, work, worship, attend school and businesses and other entities in Bexar County, Texas. Almost 30,000 members own and belong to the nonprofit financial cooperative, which has over $225 million in assets.

SSFCU promotes two to Assistant Vice President

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) is pleased to announce that John Daves, Jr., has been promoted to assistant vice president of facilities and development and Letha Harrelson to assistant vice president of business development.

JohnDaves2014_FinalDaves joined SSFCU as manager of support services and real estate development in 2002 and has been instrumental in managing all of the credit union’s real estate leasing activities, construction development projects, branch modifications and mailroom operations. In his new role, he will oversee the maintenance and management of all corporately owned and leased facilities, as well as assist with construction development activities enterprise-wide.

Letha HarrelsonWith more than 35 years experience in project management, sales, marketing and customer service, Harrelson has managed new business development and financial literacy outreach for the credit union over the last 14 years. Her efforts helped the credit union receive the Dora Maxwell Award for Outstanding Social Responsibility and Honorable Mention for the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award awarded by the Credit Union National Association – both multiple times. In 2012, she was named manager of the year for SSFCU’s Central Region.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.5 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.

Generations FCU’s Haegelin receives highest award in credit union industry

generations fcu logoTim Haegelin, retired CEO of San Antonio-based Generations Federal Credit Union received the Herb Wegner Lifetime Achievement Award in front of an audience of nearly 1,000 credit union executives in Washington DC on Monday, February 24. Hosted by the National Credit Union Foundation and considered the most prestigious award within the credit union industry, Haegelin was singled out for his actions in co-founding Credit Unions For Kids (CUFK).

CheneyHaegelinHaegelin

Founded in 1986 in San Antonio by Haegelin, Charlie Amato, Chairman of SWBC and Jack Finger, former Children’s Miracle Network Director, and launched nationally in 1996, CUFK has raised more than $100 million for Children’s Hospitals across the United States. All money raised within a community stays within that community to support local children’s hospitals.

During his remarks, Haegelin acknowledged the credit union industry itself as the foundation for the successes of his 49-year career.

“I was blessed and lucky to have a Board that understood and embraced the credit union difference and then made sure I had the tools to succeed,” said Haegelin.

In addition to CUFK, Haegelin and Generations were recognized as the first credit union in the region to offer many product and technology initiatives to its members that at the time were considered groundbreaking, including checking accounts, debit cards, and electronic records.

The award also recognized GFCU’s services to the un-banked and under-served within the community, including its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partnerships with the City of San Antonio and the MoneyExpress program, offered in partnership with Goodwill Industries of San Antonio that is designed to break the destructive and damaging cycle of payday lending.

He joined GFCU in 1980 as Associate Manager and retired as CEO in November 2012. Prior to joining GFCU, he served as the CEO of Central Texas Catholic Credit Union.

Haegelin wrapped up his remarks by urging the audience not to forget the goal and mission of credit unions, “as not-for-profit financial institutions we are here, not for ourselves and not for the almighty dollar, but to build stronger families, stronger small businesses and stronger communities as they strive for the American Dream.” Watch the Tribute Video for Tim Haegelin

SSFCU names San Antonio employees of the year

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) honored Kelly Pils as manager of the year and Maria Schofell as employee of the year for the Central Region at the credit union’s annual celebration at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in San Antonio.

KellyPils2014Pils is the manager of the Support Desk for Network Services at the credit union’s corporate headquarters where she has distinguished herself by implementing many new requirements and raising the standards of the Help Desk Operations team, leading to faster member service, more efficient operations and consistent and customer-focused resolution. Pils is an active volunteer in the community and dedicates much of her volunteer efforts to the Magdalena House of San Antonio.

MariaSchofell2014Schofell is a senior accounting tech at the credit union’s accounting department. Innovative with a great deal of initiative, Schofell has been instrumental in efforts that have created a more efficient payment process. She is actively involved in SSFCU’s volunteer corps, working at a variety of community events throughout San Antonio.

Security Service Federal Credit Union is among the top 10 credit unions in the country with more than $7.7 billion in assets and more than 2,000 employees in 70 locations throughout Texas, Colorado and Utah.

Security Service Federal Credit Union acquires 66 acres for potential future development

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) officials today announced they have acquired 66 acres from Santikos Real Estate Companies for potential future development. The land is bordered by IH-10 frontage road, UTEX Boulevard, and Leon Creek Greenway.

Aerial Exhibit

SSFCU was represented by Dominion Advisory Group in the acquisition. According to SSFCU President, Jim Laffoon, “As a growing enterprise we are delighted to acquire this property in such a rapidly developing part of the city. With several business units currently in leased facilities, development of a campus on this site will allow us the ability to consolidate our back office operations for many years to come.”

SSFCU selected this location for its close proximity to its Corporate Headquarters, allowing flexibility to meet future expansion needs efficiently and effectively, which may include the relocation of the Corporate Headquarters should that prove to be beneficial.

Security Service is exploring the possible sale of its La Cantera facility and is working with Dominion Advisory Group and CBRE to market the property.

To explore development options for the property, Security Service has engaged Pape Dawson Engineers, Inc. for civil engineering, while Lake Flato and RVK Architects, in a joint effort, will provide site master planning and building design. Dysart LLC will provide development management services.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.7 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-888-415-7878.