Downtown Dayton, Ohio. (Source: Shutterstock)
In the western part of Ohio, Universal 1 Credit Union ushered in a new era with a new leader this week as Jessica Jones stepped into her role as the credit union's CEO.
The board of directors for the $477 million Universal 1 Credit Union in Dayton, Ohio named Jessica Jones president/CEO in April after Loren A. Rush announced her retirement. Rush served as the credit union's top executive for 23 years.
Universal 1's Board Chair Thomas Hickey said, "Jessica brings a true passion for credit union values and will ensure that our members remain the central focus in everything we do."
Jessica Jones Jones joined Universal 1 in 2014, and has served in a variety of leadership roles since then, including treasurer and SVP of finance.
In a statement, Paul Mercer, president of the Ohio Credit Union League & Affiliates, said, "In selecting Jessica Jones, the board of directors has accomplished yet another brilliant, seamless CEO succession and locked in Universal 1's bright future."
Mercer continued, "Jessica is driven for growth and success. With deep experience, irrepressible spirit and superior leadership skill she will propel Universal 1 to new horizons of performance and impact while keeping purpose constant … Universal 1's mission is all about the members. With Jessica leading the way, Universal 1 will continue to stand out for all the right reasons!"
"I am honored by the opportunity to serve in an organization committed to helping our members, employees and communities," Jessica said. "I will continue the incredible legacy of community and exceptional service. U1's foundation and culture has positioned us well for the future."
Universal 1 will celebrate 85 years of service to the Dayton area in April 2022. "In recognition of the anniversary, U1 will endeavor in new sponsorships, events and enhancements that will greater support members and the community. These movements will aim to enrich member experiences and develop relationships that drive the credit union philosophy of 'people helping people!'" the credit union said in a statement.
Universal 1 serves more than 49,000 members.
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Michael Ogden
Editor-in-Chief at CU Times. To connect, email at [email protected]. As Editor-in-Chief of CU Times since 2016, Michael Ogden has led the editorial team in all aspects of content strategy and execution, including the creation of the publication’s exclusive and proprietary research database of the credit union industry’s economic landscape. Under Michael’s leadership, CU Times has successfully shifted to an all-digital editorial product with new focuses on the payments, fraud, lending and regulatory beats. Most recently, he introduced a data-focused editorial product for subscribers that breaks down credit union issues into hard data, allowing for a deeper and more factual narrative for readers. In 2024, he launched the "Shared Accounts With CU Times" podcast, which offers a fresh, inside-the-newsroom perspective through interviews with leaders from the credit union industry and the regulatory world. He dives into pressing credit union issues, while revealing the personalities working behind-the-scenes to push the credit union world forward. His background includes years as a radio and TV anchor/reporter and a public relations and digital/social media manager, where he covered the food and music industries, as well as cooperatives and credit unions. Over the years, he has launched numerous exclusive video and podcast series, including a successful series of interactive backstage interviews with musicians at music festivals, showcasing his social media and live streaming production skills.
