Member Spotlight: Alan S. Wade

Mark Crawford, CUNA Councils
August 23, 2006

Having been born and raised in the heart of southwest Virginia, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to return to my roots and further my career as a credit union CFO. After I completed graduate school, I left for the “big city” of Washington D.C., where I joined a large, public accounting firm as a junior management consultant.

My career took several twists over the years that followed, as many of us have experienced in their youth. I transitioned to a position with Marriott

Hotels, where I learned a wide array of people skills. Then in 1990 I accepted the position of accounting manager with N&W Employees Federal Credit Union. In the last sixteen years I have had many opportunities for growth in my professional life as the credit union has grown.

I became a charter member of the CUNA CFO Council in 1994 and have

attended every annual conference (with the exception of the most recent event in Palm Springs). I was honored to serve on the CUNA CFO Council Executive Committee during 2000-2004 and act as treasurer for three of those four years. I also presently serve as treasurer on the board of

VACORP FCU, a corporate credit union that serves many credit unions in

Virginia .

My wife, Debbie, (a banker by profession), has one son, Kyle, who attends North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

Biggest challenge for 2006

Returning the credit union to a financially sound position after the "tsunami” of indirect vehicle loan losses hit us in 2005

Best piece of advice

The credit union CFO who told me a few years ago with regards to our indirect vehicle loan program and loan losses: "If you have

not experienced extraordinary losses yet . . . you will . . . you WILL!”

Greatest benefit of Council membership

Networking with the great members of the CUNA CFO Council and having access to the entire membership via the CFO Listserv, as well as a more vibrant website.

Best part of my job

Helping members achieve financial success.

Hardest part of your job

Tackling all the additional regulatory burdens in a post-September 11 world.

Best CFO success story

Leading the charge to re-invigorate the credit union’s IRA program.

Hobbies/interests

Extreme snow skiing, scuba diving, traveling, reading, studying foreign languages.

People would be surprised to learn that I . . .

Volunteered for the U.S. Navy to see if I had the “right stuff” to become a naval aviator.

Most recent book

How to become CEO and Just as I Am, the autobiography of Billy Graham.

Life goal not yet accomplished

Serving a mission with my wife for the church.

Something that always makes me laugh

The performers on Whose Line Is It Anyway?

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

I’d try to set it aside for more physical activity such as aerobic exercise.