Jeff Olson was named president/CEOof the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas Aug. 24.

Olson, who has served as the executive vice president ofgovernment affairs for the association since 2008, also served asthe interim president/CEO since mid-July when the formerpresident/CEO RobbieThompson resigned to become executive director of theProfessional Liability Underwriters Society in Minneapolis.

“Everyone at CUAD and our members across the Dakotas are excitedthat Jeff Olson will be leading our professional credit unionassociation,” Travis Kasten, board chair of the Dakotas associationand president/CEO of the $139 million Service First Federal CreditUnion in Sioux Falls, S.D., said. “As our government advocacyleader for the last several years, Jeff certainly has a handle onthe complex issues facing our industry today. More importantly, hehas the experience and leadership skills to continue moving ourassociation forward in a positive direction.”

Olson holds nearly 30 years of experience in government affairs,advocacy and strategic communications.

He previously advocated for higher education, homebuilders, thedevelopmentally disabled and smoke-free issues, according to theleague. Olson also worked in the North Dakota Governor's office asdirector of constituent services and served as a politicalstrategist and consultant for legislative campaigns throughoutNorth Dakota.

Prior to joining CUAD, he was a partner in an advertising andmarketing firm.

Olson also worked in radio and television as an on-airpersonality and news anchor/reporter at several broadcast stationsin North Dakota and northern Minnesota.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead theassociation,” Olson said. “The financial cooperative model todayfaces many challenges; however, there is a unique opportunity tocollectively collaborate and successfully strengthen our operatingenvironment while promoting credit unions as a financialalternative to traditional banking. I'm looking forward to workingcollaboratively with the board and staff in serving and meeting ourmembers' expectations.”

The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas serves 79 creditunions that manage an excess of $6.2 billion in assets.

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