Credit Union Leaders Unveil Hidden Talents

Seven credit union leaders who are doing some unexpected things in the hours they're not on the job.

Premier America CU’s Marci Francisco (front row, second from right) poses with the rest of the cast of “A Chorus Line.”

Ask someone to list the talents associated with executive leadership in the credit union industry, and you might hear about operational proficiency, analytical competency, tech knowledge or results-driven abilities. But like the organizations they help run, credit union executives are complex creatures. There’s often more to them than meets the eye – hidden talents few people might expect.

That’s why back in March we took to the CU Times Facebook page with a plea to industry executives to reveal those hidden talents. What we received were stories and photos that were surprising, amusing, humbling and heartening – reminders that at their core, credit unions are built by people, run by people and exist for people. The submissions enabled us to see credit union professionals in a way we had never seen them before, and revealed hidden talents ranging from musical theater to home remodeling.

Here’s a look at seven leaders who are doing the unexpected and, along the way, highlighting some of the rich variety that makes the industry and credit union community so special.

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Amy Nelson

President/CEO Amy Nelson choreographs the operations at Point West Credit Union, but she also choreographs youth community theatre productions. The former dance team coach and competition judge said it’s a way to spend time with her son. “It also is a way to give back to my community while enjoying an incredibly creative and focused craft outside of work. Total brain break!” she said.

Nelson has “The Lion King,” “Seussical,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Beauty and the Beast” under her belt; this fall, she plans to add “Aladdin Jr.” to the list. Each production takes 40 to 80 hours of choreography, concept design and costume prep before auditions even start, she said, but flexibility is important. “Many times a teen will throw in a fun dance move, or a youngster will have a silly expression that ‘just fits.’ Their spontaneity is much better than what I could ever put together,” she said.

“There are no embarrassing dance moves,” Nelson added. “My own style is probably a cross between Kevin James from ‘Hitch,’ with a little Paula Abdul thrown in. My kids tell me I’m Elaine from ‘Seinfeld.’ All three of these people give a ton of heart to their dance moves, and that’s really what it’s all about.”

Point West CU President/CEO Amy Nelson directs young performers during a rehearsal. (Source: Amy Nelson)
Point West CU President/CEO Amy Nelson (right) choreographs for youth community theatre productions in her spare time. (Source: Amy Nelson)
Point West CU President/CEO Amy Nelson rehearses with youth community theatre performers. (Source: Amy Nelson)

Joe Gillies

Joe Gillies is “The Catman” in the KISS tribute band Alive! ’75. “What was originally intended to be one weekend of shows has been running for five years now due to popular demand,” he said. “We have performed as far north as Montreal and south to Baltimore. We have also appeared at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana,” Gillies said.

The former Cardtronics Vice President said the band, formed in 2014, came to life after two other members saw another KISS tribute group that was “true to the music but had no show.” Today, Alive! ’75 plays gigs about once a month, and everyone does his own makeup. “I like two hours so I don’t have to rush,” Gillies explained. “The other benefit to the makeup and costumes is that no one can tell how old we are!”

Joe Gillies performs as the The Catman in the KISS tribute band Alive! ’75. (Photo credit: Brian Matus)
Joe Gillies performs as the The Catman in the KISS tribute band Alive! ’75. (Photo credit: Brian Matus)
Joe Gillies performs as the The Catman in the KISS tribute band Alive! ’75. (Photo credit: Brian Matus)

Dave Schiffer

Oregon Community Vice President of Finance Dave Schiffer plays piano at a local hospital, where a calming environment is especially valuable to people who are under a lot of stress. “The hospital is really after a tranquil vibe in the main lobby, so I tend to play quietly and just try to blend into the surroundings. But I also try to play music that is recognizable so people can connect with it,” he said.

Most of Schiffer’s set list leans toward modern church service pieces, but sometimes he reads the room and switches things up. “I’m always game to break into a Disney tune like ‘Let it Go’ for a passing child dressed as a princess. And yes, when the lobby is fairly empty and I need to mix it up, even ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ by Guns N’ Roses can be mellowed enough to blend into the background,” he said.

Oregon Community CU Vice President of Finance Dave Schiffer moonlights as a pianist at a local hospital. (Source: Dave Schiffer)
Oregon Community CU Vice President of Finance Dave Schiffer moonlights as a pianist at a local hospital. (Source: Dave Schiffer)
Oregon Community CU Vice President of Finance Dave Schiffer moonlights as a pianist at a local hospital. (Source: Dave Schiffer)

Robert Schroeder

Robert Schroeder started his band, Apoplexy, in 1995 when he moved from banking to the credit union industry. Apoplexy hit the recording studio twice and recorded 18 songs for two albums. Schroeder wrote the music and lyrics, sang and played rhythm guitar. “It is the best feeling in the world. I had all these songs I wanted to record with the band. It was fun to lay the track and edit each song. I felt a sense of accomplishment,” he said.

Although the band broke up after a few years, Schroeder still keeps a guitar in his office and sometimes he plays it there. “I wait until everyone leaves,” he said. “It reminds me music is still important in my life.”

Schroeder also plays at his church with Apoplexy’s former drummer. “Although he is a banker, I can honestly say that this is the one time where banks and credit unions play well together,” he said.

Prince George’s Community FCU President/CEO and musician Robert Schroeder (pictured) sometimes performs with his band’s former drummer, who happens to be a banker. (Source: Robert Schroeder)
Prince George’s Community FCU President/CEO and musician Robert Schroeder (pictured) sometimes performs with his band’s former drummer, who happens to be a banker. (Source: Robert Schroeder)

Marci Francisco

Premier America Credit Union SVP Marci Francisco has worked professionally as a principal singer in musical theater, has performed for celebrities and a U.S. president, has sung the national anthem for the San Antonio Spurs and has even done commercials and print work. She still does voiceover work. “I’ve worked for many entertainment companies and have performed throughout the United States, as well as in Mexico, Japan and throughout Europe,” she said.

One life lesson Francisco has learned from show business: Never wing it on an audition. Instead, prepare and then shake off the nerves. “You have to give them your best out of the gate, as there are no second chances,” she explained. “You will get rejected over and over. That’s a given. All you can do is give it your best each time, and know – whether you get the gig or not – that another opportunity is just around the corner.”

Premier America CU’s Marci Francisco (front row, second from right) poses with the rest of the cast of “A Chorus Line.”

Marcus Rhymer

Marcus Rhymer’s hidden talent emerged at age 14, when he received an electric guitar and a small amp for Christmas. “I learned to play with a few months of lessons, learning to read tabs and practicing constantly,” he said.

“Blue Sky” by The Allman Brothers Band is his favorite jam, and Dickey Betts is his favorite famous guitarist. Rhymer said playing guitar has also helped him professionally. “Negotiating contracts, agreements, employee and member needs, and what is best for the credit union as a whole is very important. Many bands play with two guitars, several other instruments, a singer and lots of moving parts. Playing guitar involves negotiating rhythm and lead parts in order to play many songs,” he explained.

Now Rhymer is passing his strumming skills on to his seven-year-old son. “I also try to teach him a little bit about using money wisely,” he said.

Latitude 32 CU President/CEO Marcus Rhymer’s hidden talent is playing guitar. (Source: Marcus Rhymer)
Latitude 32 CU President/CEO Marcus Rhymer playing guitar with his son. (Source: Marcus Rhymer)

Jim Minge

Jim Minge started remodeling houses in 1992, when he and his wife purchased their first home and decided to spruce it up. Decades later, their weekends are filled with drywall installations, painting, setting tile and working with contractors to revive old houses. New DIYers beware – projects almost always take longer than expected (“Our latest project is going on two years,” Minge said), and water leaks are usually the worst part of a fixer-upper. “I once had an eight-by-10 ceiling collapse on me; wet nasty insulation, mouse poop and all,” he said. “Good news – wet drywall falls apart easy.”

Start with something that only needs a minor refresh rather than a complete overhaul, and don’t expect to make a ton of money, he advised. “For us it’s as much about the joy of accomplishing the project as it is about an investment. That really helps take the pressure off, at least for us.”

Jim Minge doing demo work of an old home to remodel. (Source” Jim Minge)
Remodeled kitchen done by Jim Minge and his wife. (Source: Jim Minge)

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