Charlotte-Metro Credit Union's McLean is simply enjoying "la vida"

<p>CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Though she isn’t part of the hot R&B group, Charlotte-Metro Credit Union Marketing Vice President Deb McLean is definitely “destiny’s child”. Things have a way of falling into place for the two-time CUES award winner, from meeting her husband Geoffrey on a blind date to working in credit unions. “It was sheer accident,” said McLean. “With my commercial art/advertising degree I knew I wanted to get more into the creative writing aspect of it, and there happened to be an ad in the paper from a credit union looking for someone to do everything from writing to commercial art design layout and production. It was just a case of wonderful timing and at the time I had no idea what a credit union was. The interviewer was kind enough to lay it out for me and I am forever grateful!” After three years she moved on to a community bank as vice president of marketing and quickly realized credit unions were the place to work-again fate stepped in. “The bank was a good opportunity to learn a lot, but I really just wanted out. There was an opening here at Charlotte-Metro CU, and here I was eight and a half months pregnant and applying for the position,” chuckled McLean. “I don’t think they really knew what to do with me especially since I went into labor the day of the interview! Two weeks later the job was offered to someone else who happened to pass it up. I came in and the rest is history.” McLean not only loves her job but also has a lot of fun with it. The over $95 million credit union’s unique campaigns generally tap her tongue-in-cheek humor that has garnered its reputation for being a little irreverent. Last year McLean won the CUES Best in Show award for an Einstein “It’s smart to belong to a credit union” campaign. At this year’s CUES Awards Banquet as she and her friends at the table held hands while waiting for the CUES Marketer of the Year winner to be announced, McLean and Kinecta FCU Senior Vice President of Marketing/Communications Teresa Freeborn were both happily surprised to share the honor. “I promised myself not to have a Halle Berry meltdown.but I may end up doing it anyway,” said McLean in her acceptance speech. Recognized for her accomplishments and involvement in numerous community-focused groups such as the North Carolina CU League Piedmont Chapter, McLean says she is most grateful for her credit union management and board being 100% behind her team’s long term commitment to the Latino community, which involves not only hiring a bilingual staff and teaching a Hispanic Inmate Financial Education program, but also McLean learning more than just the basics of Spanish. In her spare time, McLean spends time reading, watching movies, and her latest activity Kempo Karate she shares with her children twice a week. Viewing it as a nice break from what she does during the day McLean is testing for a blue belt at the end of the month and is practicing Nunchakas, which are two sticks linked with a chain that originally were used to beat out wheat. “I was inspired by the Bruce Lee films,” said McLean. “Although it could be a weapon I view it as more of an art form and actually it has a basis in geometry to do it well. The kids and I are having a blast with it- it is a very challenging workout not just physically but mentally too.” Known by fellow staffers for her fun-filled hard work ethic, high “almost bouncing off the walls” energy and sense of humor- she jokingly dubbed herself “marketing diva” – McLean says people would be most surprised to discover that she is actually a very quiet person. “Yes, believe it or not I do need time to recharge and sometimes I don’t even talk,” said McLean. “These days you never know what life may throw your way so I try to enjoy life as much as possible and stay positive.” -</p> <p>[email protected]</p>