Over 45 years, CO-OP Financial Services CEO Stan Hollen hasbuilt a reputation of creating environments that foster and developemerging credit union leaders.

Sixteen of his former employees became CEOs.

We asked a few of his protégés for help in creating a list of Hollen's top 10leadership lessons but thought we'd also share some of theirpersonal experiences.

Do you have a great personal story about your experience withHollen? Please share in the comments section!

With Stan there's justthis theme of innovation.

I was low on the totem pole at The Golden 1 from 1987-91 in ITand I thought that was going to be my career path.

It was a place that was open to technology and Stan set thattone. He hired great people who were outstanding mentors,encouraging me to go down the leadership path. It's becauseof Stan creating an environment surrounding himself with people whopursued their potential and helped others develop and grow that I'ma CEO today.

Stan and those many mentors saw things in me that I didn't seein myself. That tone of possibilities, not just of your currentposition, but where you could be, created a very dynamic,supportive momentum of growth in the organization. He set a reallyhigh bar and yet took the time to send a personal birthday note toevery employee.

I'm grateful to Stan and the others he put in my path.

Roger Ballard

President/CEO

NuVision FCU

Stan is a greatmentor and I will always value the time we worked together at TheGolden 1 Credit Union. Stan not only identifies people whohave potential, he believes in them and he empowers them to getresults.

The most important things I learned from Stan are:

Believe in Yourself

If you believe in yourself, others will believe in you andtogether you'll achieve great things. Believing in yourself is anessential building block to successful leadership.

Find Solutions

When you encounter a problem, analyze the situation and find asolution. Critical thinking is so important to the successfuloperation of any organization.

Embrace Change

Under Stan's leadership, change was the norm at the Golden 1. Itwas an amazing experience to work for a CEO that was forwardthinking and driven to achieve great things.

Take Risks

Understand the risks associated with your business decisions,but don't avoid them. Stan has a great mind and he could quicklyanalyze an opportunity and act on it. It's been 14 years since Iworked with Stan, but I often hear him in conversations with mystaff.

Stan was my mentor and I often smile when I think how much Ilearned from him. I always wanted a boss that I could learn fromand look up to. With Stan, I got that and more, I also got afriend!

I owe him so much to him, but knowing Stan, the fact that Ibecame the CEO of the University of Hawaii FCU in 2009, is thanksenough.

While he never wanted us to leave The Golden 1 stable, he alwayswanted us to succeed.

He has done so much for so many, but he should be very proud ofhis personal accomplishments and those of his protégés.

Jeanine Morse

President/CEO

University of Hawaii FCU

Stan was alwayson the leading edge of technology.

When we were at Golden 1 the ATM deployment initiatives werevisionary. Stan always worked with all the chief officers to keepthe initiatives moving. Stan taught everyone that you have to havea strong technology platform in place before you make branchexpansion plans.

When I was at Golden 1 we were just starting to evaluate theconcept of a CUDL system. Think about what the CUDL system hasbecome!

He continues his technology excellence today with CO-OP. The senior executive team at Golden 1 used to respectfully kidaround about “pedal to the metal” Stan. Stan is and has beena technology leader.

I have shared this philosophy with the senior team at 1st UnitedCredit Union. The only issue that I had with Stan when I was atGolden 1 was his choice of football teams – the Chicago Bears. Whenthe Bears won the Super Bowl, we 49er fans all had to put up with“Go Bears” for a year!

Victor Quint

President/CEO

1st United CU

Due to having theopportunity to work with Stan for eight years I shared thefollowing with my senior management team:

• Strongly believe in delegation with full reign to manage yourareas of responsibility, to continually learn, make mistakes andprepare for potential career moves. If major mistakes are made,meetings are called with all the players involved to talk throughwhat happened and how to prevent in the future.
• Encourage employees to join boards and committees, sign up forcontinuing education classes and attend conferences within thecredit union industry not only for sharing but to network withpeers.
• “This is the way we have always done it” – take it out of yourvocabulary. Instead management is encouraged to challenge theprocedure, product or service and look for something better.
• Be sure to wait until the morning coffee has been consumed ifsomething negative has to be discussed. Also never have earlymorning meetings.
• Our credit union will happily share and help other creditunions whether through a merger or just assisting them isimportant. No need to reinvent the wheel if we have done theresearch already.
• Each of the senior management team will be able to overseevarious areas – as an example the chief information officer willalso oversee branch operations for a period of time to gain theknowledge, perhaps suggest improvements, and see how it relates totheir area.
• Communication is key – the good, the bad and the ugly followedby listening – know when to shut up. If you make a promise we mustkeep it.
• The job is extremely important, however, at times family mustcome first. We are flexible with all employees.
• Rewarding and recognition are a must.

Stan was truly my best mentor ever! I have been proud over theyears to say that I was a former employee of The Golden 1 CreditUnion working with two other senior management employees directlyunder Stan.

Vikki Kaiser

President/CEO

Great Lakes Credit Union

I was in charge of humanresources when Stan was hired as president/CEO. During his firstfew years, it was necessary make some tough business decisions inorder to reduce expenses and improve our financial performance. Iwas very fortunate to be part of that transformation.

Stan gave you lots of room to do your job once you provedyourself and your capabilities. It was a time of tremendous growthand opportunity, much change and lots of competition. But what alearning experience!

Thanks to Stan, I've shared the following leadership lessonswith my teams:

• It's not enough to be competent in the functions that report toyou. As a senior leader you need to have a good understanding ofthe entire operation in order to make sound business decisions.Stan frequently changed the reporting structure at the Golden 1 togive his SVPs exposure to different areas. He was disruptive beforebeing disruptive was cool.
• Be willing to take risks to achieve your goals – whetheraccepting a new position, developing a new product, or creating anew organization to serve the industry.
• Be prepared and consider the possible outcomes but don't beafraid to go after what you want. Change creates opportunity.
• Don't be afraid to compete. Competition makes us challengeourselves and our credit unions to be better.
• Help others succeed by achieving their full potential. Quiteoften we hold ourselves back because we doubt our own skills andcapabilities. Stan believed in the importance of training anddevelopment and encouraged us to seek opportunities outside thecredit union to make a difference in our communities and in thecredit union industry.
• Develop your own leadership style. Learn from others andobserve what works and doesn't work for them but be true to who youare and what you stand for.

He definitely helped shape my career. I was very fortunate tohave reported to him and also many years later, really enjoyedserving on the CO-OP board.

Patsy Van Ouwerkerk

Retired President/CEO

Travis CU

First, a littlebackground. I started working with Stan in the mid 70s at CEFCU inPeoria, Ill.

“Back in the day,” credit unions were very simple – we had shareaccounts and auto loans. That was also when things were changingvery quickly and drastically. I had the pleasure of workingfor Stan, who led CEFCU to new heights – implementing share drafts,credit cards, ATMs – and a locally shared ATM network, mortgagelending, and the list goes on.

These were all great examples of the innovative,forward-looking, competitive and tenacious leadership style thatbegins to describe Stan. He was also very passionate about thecredit union movement and the value and importance it played, andcontinues to play, in who and why we are here. He was alwayslooking for ways to create and innovate solutions to benefit ourmembers and industry.

Stan took his leadership attributes and passion to The Golden 1Credit Union, to Liberty Checks and finally to the CO-OP. At eachstop he led his companies to heightened levels ofsuccess.

I also had the pleasure to work for Stan at The Golden 1. It'shere that Stan really helped me develop as a leader. He continuallyprovided new opportunities, guidance and encouragement to grow indifferent areas of the credit union and the industry. Along the wayhe taught me a lot about leadership, about people, about thebusiness and most importantly, about what it takes to besuccessful.

I am where I am today, and the leader I am today, largely due toStan Hollen.

Back to your question: The top leadership lessons I've learnedfrom working with Stan Hollen and shared with my own team are:

Always look forward, find that next “thing” that will createvalue for your member and give it to them – innovate, innovate,innovate.

Have the courage to take risks. You can't innovate and succeedby playing it safe.

Take care of your people and they will take care of your membersand business.

Thank you, Stan!

Jim Harris

President/CEO

USE CU

I worked with Stan whenhe first arrived at the Golden 1 Credit Union to take over theleadership as CEO. I always admired his ability to solve problems.It is ironic that I too will be retiring this year, as of June 30.

After giving it some thought and although many years havepassed, I have provided you with a few answers.

The top leadership lesson(s) I have learned from working withStan Hollen and shared with my own teams are:

1. Lead the way with cooperation and trust. Seek out solutionsto problems by including those who may agree or disagree with yourproposed solution.

2. Be creative and innovative. Find ways of doing things moreefficiently. Others may not see your idea as having a positiveimpact. You will need to convince others in a way where they feelthe idea belongs to them.

3. Admit when you are wrong. You will gain respect from othersand it will help you build stronger decisions in the future.

4. Be honest, loyal, passionate and empowering. A managementteam will respect these traits and it will encourage them to do thesame.

5. Use common sense. Use your talent to pick out, recognize andevaluate answers to situations without much discussion.

6. Identify the problem. Seek out solutions, evaluate solutionsand consider a solution only after debating the effects.

Dale Verderano

President/CEO

Matadors Community CU

The top leadershiplessons that I have learned:

• Success is achieving results by thinking a few steps ahead ofthe competition.
• We are a stronger network as we collaborate together.
• Persistence and determination to get a plan completed.
• Hire top talent to get great results.

Steven Stapp

President/CEO

San Francisco Federal Credit Union