SEATTLE — Since Jeff Post took the helm at CUNA Mutual Group more than a year and a half ago, the company is starting to move in the direction of having a more diverse staff.

Cedric Harris, CUNA Mutual's vice president of human resources-sales, shared that insight with attendees at the African-American Credit Union Coalition's annual meeting here. Ellis previously worked for Post when he served as president/CEO of the Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. Post wooed Ellis, who was employed as senior vice president of human resources for Wachovia Bank's Atlantic region. The staff's makeup between Wachovia and CUNA Mutual are like night and day, he said.

"When I came aboard [at CUNA Mutual Group in 2005], there were about 2,600 employees and maybe 20 Black employees," Ellis said. "I've been given a license to change things at CUNA Mutual. Change is afoot."