As a fledgling 30-somethingwith a fresh coat of wetness behind my ears – and, in a room fullof peers with shoes older than me – perhaps I shouldn't haveapproached arguably the credit union world's biggest icon with suchconviction and naivety.

Jim Blaine, the CEO of the nation's second largest creditunion, was no stranger to credit union newswires, regularly takingfirm and sometimes unpopular stances on credit union issues.Initially, many in the movement were left scratching their heads atsome of Mr. Blaine's decisions, only to find themselves, soonthereafter, spraining calf muscles to hop atop his bandwagon. Thosewho were able to leave their minds open long enough wouldinevitably find the method to Blaine's madness.

Suffice to say, with every bit of controversy and headline,Jimbo Blaine knew exactly what he was doing all along. We just hadto stick around long enough to witness his plan unfold. He wassmarter than all of us, even Debbie Matz.

So, as I approached Mr. Blaine four years ago, at the retirementof the VP of lending at my $43 million credit union that “he justcouldn't miss,” perhaps I should have been a little morestar-struck. Looking back, I'm sure the lack of flair (and what weyoungin's refer to as “swag”) in his arrival misledme.

When the CEO of $30 billion-plus credit union whose face wouldmake credit unions' Mount Rushmore arrives, you wouldn't expect itwould be in a red, early 90s Chevy Trailblazer that had clearlyendured a long and difficult life. If you wanted flair, the shiny,pristine Chevy Blazer was not for you; and, for that matter,perhaps neither was Mr. Blaine.

Blaine, much like that seasoned Blazer, was not concerned with apristine image. Rather, much like the moniker that has guided SECUand its 3,800-plus staff members for so long, Blaine was governedforemost by “doing the right thing” and was willing to withstanddents along the way if it meant protecting his character and whathe considered to be fair and right.

“I see you've arrived fashionably late,” my smart-assed mouthdecided to utter, as I reached out my hand for a handshake andthanked him for coming. Little did I know that first meeting withMr. Blaine would entirely captivate me and sweep me away with thepurpose and underlying meaning of the credit unionmovement.

It is a natural human desire to crave purposeand meaning in our lives. While some are fortunate to find thispurpose in life, very few are able to find real meaning in theirwork lives, beyond the necessity of a paycheck. Jim Blaine was apioneer, a creator of disciplines and a constant reminder toeveryone of the purpose in our credit union work.

As SECU amassed billions and grew exponentially, we all keptwaiting for it to look more like a bank, as the bankers told uswould be the case. But as SECU's assets and membership continued tosoar, it continued to look like a bank in the same way that I looklike a 6'8”, ambidextrous and finely-tuned athlete who was worthyof donning the Carolina uniform that I always dreamt of wearing.

You see, no matter how large or ever-present SECU has become,its roots never changed. Jim Blaine and his 3,800 employees justcontinue to “do the right thing.” While Mr. Blaine was no strangerto controversy, the battles he chose to fight often revolved aroundworthy causes of fairness, having choices and providing creditunion members with superior products and services.

Simply put, as the credit union industry continues to grow andbecome more complex, Mr. Blaine was the ultimate advocate inpreserving the simplicity in the credit union difference of peoplehelping people, regardless of the dents, bruises or perceivedabsence of sexiness from onlookers along the way.

I, like so many, appreciate the time he devoted to me. I neverleft a meeting or lunch with Mr. Blaine without learning somethinglife- or career-changing. As Mr. Blaine enters the next phase inhis life, the credit union industry has lost a superhero.

Thanks for everything Mr. Blaine.

Michael Waylett

President/CEO

Vision Financial Federal Credit Union

Durham, N.C.