How Serving Inspires Personal Growth and Credit Union Success
09/13/2021
In 2015, we were looking for younger professionals to join the Board of Directors and receive mentorship from veteran Board Members. Ken Takaidza answered the call and joined as an Associate Board Member. Fast-forward six years, and you’ll find Ken still serving today—now as a seasoned Board Member. The experiences he’s gained, both personally and professionally, as well as the influence he’s made, are remarkable.
“When you’re on the Board, you have so many opportunities to grow,” says Ken. “I’ve learned so much from other Board Members. They’re great, and so is our management team. They all come from different backgrounds, and I benefit from their diverse experiences and expertise.”
So, what made Ken want to join the Board of Directors in the first place? It all started with a sticky financial situation. “A few years prior to joining the Board, I had no credit,” explains Ken. “I joined Electro, and the credit union helped me get out of a very high-interest auto loan.” In addition, Ken was impressed with Electro’s educational approach to finances.
“Very few financial institutions teach you how to be prudent with money. That’s something that isn’t even taught much in schools, but Electro really places a focus on financial literacy,” says Ken. “So the decision to join the Board was simple for me. I believe in Electro’s mission and everything the credit union stands for.”
Thanks to his time spent serving on the Board, Ken has come a long way from when he first joined the credit union. “I know much more about finance now than when I joined six years ago,” says Ken. “The Board Members have been extremely generous with their time—explaining to me how the credit union works and the role the Board plays to ensure we’re a strong organization.”
There’s no question whether Ken would encourage others to join the Electro Board; he’s experienced firsthand just how beneficial serving is to the individual and the credit union. “The growth and opportunity to learn from others is huge,” says Ken. “Also, it’s difficult to influence the direction of an organization from the sidelines. Electro is owned by its members, and we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the credit union, especially as a Board Member.”
As part of the Board, Ken understands just how much his vote influences the credit union, and that’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. Some of his proudest moments include seeing his decisions directly impact members. “I’ve been serving on the Scholarship Committee since I’ve joined the Board,” says Ken. “I know it takes time and effort to apply for these scholarships, and it’s so rewarding to meet the recipients and their families. It reminds me why I volunteer in the first place—to be part of an organization that helps people and transforms lives.”
Ken isn’t the only one who has grown tremendously since 2015. The credit union itself has expanded and transformed, and that’s thanks to both loyal members and a hardworking, determined Board and team of employees.
“The credit union has gone through a great deal of change in the past six years, and we’ve launched great initiatives that positively impact community and increase employee engagement,” says Ken. “As a whole, I’m just so proud of our CEO, Jim, management and all the credit union employees. The Board is here to provide oversight and guidance, but I credit so much of our growth to our hardworking employees and member-facing teams.”
In addition to volunteering on the Board, Ken works full-time as a compliance manager. In his free time, he loves being with his two young children. Ken has been to 12 countries, 25 U.S. states and Washington, DC. His goal is to visit all 50 states.
Are you ready to serve? Learn more about being a voting Director or a member of the non-voting Associate Committee.