TULSA, Okla. -- Seeking to assist small credit unions with special needs, the Oklahoma Credit Union League is returning to using a field rep to keep in touch with members and has hired a retired Tulsa CU president to do the job.
"Our credit unions have asked for this position and we've listened," said interim President/CEO Debra J. Morrow Ingram in explaining the hiring of Gary Jones, former president/CEO of the now merged WilServ CU.
Jones, serving on a part-time basis, began work two weeks ago with league plans for a second liaison to be recruited in six months.
Ingram said that in the newly created position, Jones would "establish good will among Oklahoma credit unions," while distributing information about league products and services and fielding complaints and suggestions.
Jones left WilServ in November following the Tulsa CU's merger with the $336 million Oklahoma Central CU, also of Tulsa.
Jones was WilServ's president for 20 years, starting as a volunteer for the then Williams Employees CU. A former league director and officer, he chaired numerous league committees and in 2005 received the Troy Higgins Political Activist of the Year Award. Jones is a certified internal auditor.
Ingram said a number of state leagues retain field reps, and the policy was employed in Oklahoma but abandoned years ago.
"Gary Jones is the perfect candidate for this new position," said Ingram. "He is a great communicator, he knows our league, our credit unions and is passionate about the movement."
--jrubenscut@aol.com
