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Transforming Dover Federal Credit Union: A Journey of Success and Partnership

CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union, discusses the credit union’s journey of transformation and the ongoing success they have experienced since working with TSG. The conversation reflects on the challenges faced by the credit union when they initially partnered with TSG. During that time, Dover Federal Credit Union was struggling in various aspects. There were…

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CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union, discusses the credit union’s journey of transformation and the ongoing success they have experienced since working with TSG. The conversation reflects on the challenges faced by the credit union when they initially partnered with TSG.

During that time, Dover Federal Credit Union was struggling in various aspects. There were issues with board relationships, executive team dynamics, financial losses, outdated technology, infrastructure problems, low morale, regulatory concerns, and physical branch issues. Chaz became the CEO in 2016 and sought support to improve the credit union’s situation.

The partnership with TSG went beyond a typical consulting engagement. Chaz highlights that they needed someone who could fully immerse themselves in understanding the credit union, its community, and its specific needs. TSG’s approach involved becoming an integral part of the executive team rather than just a consultant. This personal involvement and understanding were crucial to address the credit union’s complex challenges.

Since 2017, Dover Federal Credit Union has experienced significant positive impacts under Chaz’s leadership. Financially, they have achieved record-breaking years with strong loan growth, low delinquency rates, and higher margins compared to their peers. Culturally, they have invested in creating a positive work environment, recognizing the importance of their teams as the organization’s most valuable asset. The credit union now has a diverse senior leadership team, fostering diversity of thought and bringing in different perspectives for better decision-making. Additionally, the credit union has actively engaged with the community, changing their reputation and making a positive impact through community involvement and participation.

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

So wanna welcome Chaz CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union. It's been a phenomenal friendship, working relationship during the time that we worked together from twenty fifteen to twenty seventeen and still today. So, just a few questions just to catch up on the success of the credit union since we worked together. So, first question for you is, when we did work together, from twenty fifteen to twenty seventeen to lead the turnaround of the credit union. What was going on at that time that wanted our partnership when you look back. So, wow, Jack, kind of a hard question because as you know there was so, so so much going on at the time. Essentially you were brought in by our Board of Directors to help us get on track. This really wasn't a great time for the Credit Union, and we were struggling just about everywhere. I arrived at Dover Federal at the end of twenty fourteen as the -- That's right. -- services. And shortly before for the board had engaged your services. So, there was a terrible relationship with the board, there was a terrible relationship amongst the executive team. In twenty sixteen, we lost almost seventeen million dollars or seven million dollars are -- we had crumbling an ancient technology, a core system that went down, few minutes after the hour. I remember that. Phone systems that went down every Friday, we had a recent big data breach. We had horrible infrastructure And we literally had some of our branches that had roofs that were falling down above us, but this wouldn't go into some rooms because the roof was not good. We had horrible morale, big issues with our regulator and a terrible experience, you know, and the list really from there just goes on and on and on. In twenty sixteen, the former CEO retired, and I was chosen as the new CEO. And at that time, I really needed someone to help support me. Gives me advice and help me get my arms around how to really get the credit union in a better spot. So, I think you really helped with that. I appreciate that. I do. When working together, why was the partnership and approach not only needed But really beyond just being a consultant right to you and the team, because one thing you share with me which means the most of me beyond anything of business, but personally was something you said to me, you really were more a part of the exec team and a consultant. Why was that needed and why did that turn to that for you? So I get kind of another difficult question, but maybe a little bit shorter. So honestly, we had so many issues that we didn't need a consultant to come in and give us a shot there. We needed someone who could come in immersed themselves into who we were, what our community was like, and what we needed instead of what so many consultants do and that has come in with their list of best practices and start popping out their reports, we just didn't need that. We needed partner that could act and be a member of our team and not just a consultant coming into Checkabox. No, that's well said and anybody that's what's really critical when you bring in somebody from the outside. What was the impact then in Since twenty seventeen that this not only shaped but really obviously is propelled even further with your leaderships or even beyond our time. The overall impact is really hard to measure Sure. There are so many different things. I mean, wow, you know five years later, some of the things that we have accomplished are number one financials. So twenty twenty one is gonna be the best financial year in the history of the credit union. Right. Like multiple years of really, really, really strong industry leading loan growth, low loan delinquency or charge off rates have gone way down. Our margins are higher than our peers, a lot of good stuff there. On a culture, from a culture standpoint, we have spent lots of time money and effort, as you know, making the organization a good place to work, and that has occurred. Our teams should be the most important asset that we have as an organization. I think sometimes leaders forget that and we were kind of really into shape. And instilled that year. With a team, we really have an incredible and very diverse senior leadership team, which brings diversity of thought to the table Like the team, most leaders lack the understanding of what diversity of thought can do for an organization. And I think that one of the biggest things that our organization has gained throughout that is we really have diversity of thought, lots of people from lots of different walks of life are able to share their story and provide input to come up with the best solutions, not just the ones that have a bunch of people that look like me are able to come up with You know, I think another big one is community. We talk about this oftentimes because when I started here, I was embarrassed to wear my logo wear into the community a couple times. I did. I forget two weeks into being here, I came out of a gas station and got my head ripped off from a member that just had a horrible experience that said it came, I came to the conclusion rather quickly that I wasn't the only one going through that. We've really changed that around, and we are all in now. We go out in the community, everybody wearing their logo wear. Every member of our team is involved in the community. Somehow, it is everybody. Every member of our executive team and senior leadership team is on at least one. Some two or three boards that are really driving good in the community. And I think lastly, most important think of all is we're improving society and making the world a better place. And as a credit union, that's our job to make our own better place. And I think we're really doing that. I love hearing that. And from a credit union perspective, that is the heart. You're absolutely right. And the trajectory that you've taken not only to do that, but be able to still forwardly think into okay, how do we continue to lead and impact communities because you got your own shop, right, right, is exactly what's most critical. So last question, why personally would you recommend credit unions, obviously, or anyone to partner with TSJ. In the end, because you get results. If you're not getting results and you take a step back, you're not afraid to take a step back and take a different approach. In my opinion, leadership is about results, and you helped us get on track to achieve results. And again, that's what it's all about. Sometimes as leaders, we want a's for effort and a's for effort, a, but phase for effort never achieved the results, then we're not really leading the way we need to. So, I think TSG helped us achieve results, and that's what we were looking for. As always my friend, thank you. Appreciate the time. You are welcome. It's been fun.

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