As a fledgling 30-something with a fresh coat of wetness behind my ears – and, in a room full of peers with shoes older than me – perhaps I shouldn't have approached arguably the credit union world's biggest icon with such conviction and naivety. 

Jim Blaine, the CEO of the nation's second largest credit union, was no stranger to credit union newswires, regularly taking firm and sometimes unpopular stances on credit union issues. Initially, many in the movement were left scratching their heads at some of Mr. Blaine's decisions, only to find themselves, soon thereafter, spraining calf muscles to hop atop his bandwagon. Those who were able to leave their minds open long enough would inevitably 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 had to stick around long enough to witness his plan unfold. He was smarter than all of us, even Debbie Matz.

So, as I approached Mr. Blaine four years ago, at the retirement of the VP of lending at my $43 million credit union that “he just couldn't miss,” perhaps I should have been a little more star-struck. Looking back, I'm sure the lack of flair (and what we youngin's refer to as “swag”) in his arrival misled me.  

When the CEO of $30 billion-plus credit union whose face would make credit unions' Mount Rushmore arrives, you wouldn't expect it would be in a red, early 90s Chevy Trailblazer that had clearly endured 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 a pristine image. Rather, much like the moniker that has guided SECU and its 3,800-plus staff members for so long, Blaine was governed foremost by “doing the right thing” and was willing to withstand dents along the way if it meant protecting his character and what he considered to be fair and right.   

“I see you've arrived fashionably late,” my smart-assed mouth decided to utter, as I reached out my hand for a handshake and thanked him for coming. Little did I know that first meeting with Mr. Blaine would entirely captivate me and sweep me away with the purpose and underlying meaning of the credit union movement. 

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

As SECU amassed billions and grew exponentially, we all kept waiting for it to look more like a bank, as the bankers told us would be the case. But as SECU's assets and membership continued to soar, it continued to look like a bank in the same way that I look like a 6'8”, ambidextrous and finely-tuned athlete who was worthy of 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 just continue to “do the right thing.” While Mr. Blaine was no stranger to controversy, the battles he chose to fight often revolved around worthy causes of fairness, having choices and providing credit union members with superior products and services.    

Simply put, as the credit union industry continues to grow and become more complex, Mr. Blaine was the ultimate advocate in preserving the simplicity in the credit union difference of people helping people, regardless of the dents, bruises or perceived absence of sexiness from onlookers along the way.   

I, like so many, appreciate the time he devoted to me. I never left a meeting or lunch with Mr. Blaine without learning something life- or career-changing. As Mr. Blaine enters the next phase in his 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.