Credit Union Leaders and Their Pets Take Center Stage

When it comes to credit union CEOs’ extended furry family – once was not enough. Last year in the special NAFCU Annual Conference issue (July 23, 2003), Credit Union Times featured CEOs and their pets. Since then other CEOs have volunteered info on their animals, so here’s another edition of CEOs and their pets. Dogs seem to be the clear-cut favorites as seen in our “pet” gallery below: Brandy Tops with Montauk CU CEO “Brandy is my first child,” said Montauk Credit Union CEO Louis Jimenez. “My wife and I have two wonderful kids but Brandy has been with us for 12 years.” Jimenez adopted the Labrador/Shepherd mixed dog from an animal shelter in Port Washington, New York and Brandy-so named because of her cognac colored coat- has been home ever since. “You’d think when I’d get home from a long day at work my seven and five year old would jump off the couch to greet me, but what can I say, cartoon network rules,” joked Jimenez. “But Brandy she is always there to let me know how much she loves me.” Louis Jimenez President/CEO Montauk CU Not Just a Dog Allegacy Federal Credit Union W.K. Keener, Jr.’s five year old Rachmaninoff de la Hoya -Rocky for short-prefers the company of people to other dogs. “Rocky is like living with a two year old,” said Keener. “He thinks the world revolves around him and he loves parties where he can be the center of attention.” The “large” miniature dachshund is named after the Russian composer and the super welterweight boxing champion. “He should just be a regular miniature but he eats a lot and is always on food patrol,” said Keener. W.K. Keener, Jr. President/CEO Allegacy FCU Silver State Schools CU CEO A Solid “Dog Person” The unconditional love of two Lhaso Apsos Adam and Eve has made Silver State Schools President/CEO Dave Rhamy a dog lover for life. Rhamy adopted the pair from Great Falls Teachers CU CEO Stan Turner when they were just two years old. Turner wanted the pair to have a good home since he was relocating and Rhamy, working 14-hour days at that time needed a pressing reason to go home at the end of the day. The pair quickly took over the Rhamy household. “Miss Evey” is now 15 years old and sadly Adam died in 2001. “She may not hear or see too well any longer but whenever I come home she’s always so pleased to see me, and no matter what kind of a day I’ve had her enthusiastic greeting instantly puts me in a better mood,” said Rhamy. Dave Rhamy President/CEO Silver State Schools Family CU A Perfect Match For Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union President/CEO Tom Dorety his cocker spaniel Spencer is truly man’s best friend. Dorety says Spencer was part of a package deal and is a “step dog”. “He’s actually my wife’s dog, I joke that one of the many reasons I had to marry her was to get him,” said Dorety. “We’ve got a strong bond, Spencer and I, since he is the only other male in a female household.” Tom Dorety President/CEO Suncoast Schools FCU Finding Teddy a Family Affair Schools Financial Credit Union President/CEO Jim Jordan found his black Labrador Theodora or Teddy at a breeder in Granite Bay. “It was a funny meeting because the breeder had told us on the telephone in advance that she was going to meet our family and decide if she would be willing to sell us her puppy,” said Jordan. Apparently the week before Jordan called a family had wanted to buy Teddy but the breeder didn’t like the way their kids acted. “We told our girls if they wanted to get a puppy they would have to be on their best behavior,” said Jordan. We picked Teddy because she was so cute and the only puppy available at the time we went looking. Jim Jordan President/CEO Schools Financial CU The More Dogs the Merrier After moving into a new home on five acres Leaders Credit Union President/CEO Todd Swims and his family went in search of a dog and found Shetland Sheepdog Carson. “My son “is” named Carson,” said Swims. “Carson got car sick on the way home after he was purchased and the name seemed to fit.” Two years later Swims went looking for a female and found Macy who was named by his daughter after her favorite baby doll. Last summer Macy gave birth to six female puppies and the Swims couldn’t be happier. “This was a great experience for our children,” said Swims. “They asked many questions and needless to say the children have learned a lot about love and life from the whole puppy experience!” Todd Swims President/CEO Leaders CU Lucky Break for Dade County FCU’s Joseph Dade County Federal Credit Union CEO George Joseph found his dog Lucky four years ago while visiting friends at a ranch near the Everglades. “She was this stray dog and she stumbled into the party,” said Joseph. “It turns out that she had been shot by a prefragmeted bullet which is a hollow shell but filled with hundreds of pellets and we had a vet there who helped take out some of the pellets-it took about two weeks for her to heal.” Joseph’s kids fell in love with the playful Poodle/Shih-Tzu mixed dog and she’s been a part of the family ever since. Joseph says the vet wasn’t able to remove all the pellets and to this day you can still feel some of the pellets just under her skin. George Joseph President/CEO Dade County FCU