My Journey to Credit Union Leadership: Chris Fredricks of USF Federal Credit Union

Name: Chris Fredricks

Credit Union: USF Federal Credit Union ($1.1 billion, Tampa, Fla.)

Title: Director of Strategic Partnerships

Age: 47

Number of years at current credit union: 10

Educational background: Degrees in Economics and Communications/Journalism from St. John Fisher University (Rochester, N.Y.)

CU Times: What are your key responsibilities in your current role?

Fredricks: My team and I work to strengthen relationships with our community partners to help educate employers, employees, students and families about all the ways USF FCU can help them along their financial journey. Strategic community partners include the many departments and colleges of the University of South Florida (our core sponsor), more than 40 select employee groups, networking groups and charitable foundations.

CU Times: What drew you to the credit union industry?

Fredricks: My education in economics and communications/journalism is a perfect fit for marketing and business development with a credit union. Once I went through employee orientation and was introduced to the credit union movement, I was hooked. The not-for-profit concept of people helping people in finance resonated with me very strongly.

CU Times: What unique skills, experience and attributes do you bring to your role?

Fredricks: Credit union business development is all about education and relationship building. It is important to do the research and understand your community partners. The more you understand about their needs, the more you will be able to help them meet their goals and be a true genuine partner. I have built business development programs from the ground up and listened to our partners and employees to create value for all involved.

CU Times: Which person (or people) do you credit the most for helping and supporting you along your career journey?

Fredricks: Former Chief Marketing Officer Deborah Clark hired me at USF FCU and continually gave me the tools and support to grow our partnerships program into what it is today. She trusted me, guided me and collaborated with me as we explored opportunities to strategically grow partnerships.

CU Times: What are some of the biggest differences between working in your current executive level role and your previous, non-executive roles?

Fredricks: In the past, I was a department of one trying to get some new relationships off the ground. But today, with a team of five, spreading the great story of USF FCU is that much more enjoyable. We celebrate small, as well as big, successes. We are a team that continuously looks to lift each other up as well as other departments.

CU Times: What’s a challenge you faced when you first joined your executive team, and how did you overcome it?

Fredricks: It really was more of an opportunity than a challenge. It was a matter of thinking bigger, more tactically, and listening and growing with our community partners.

CU Times: How would you describe your current leadership style?

Fredricks: Trust, support and collaboration. My goal is to put team members in the best position to succeed. My leadership style is to lead by example, show my passion, and support and empower my team to explore business relationships that will benefit the cooperative.

CU Times: Do you approach your job any differently now compared to how you did pre-pandemic? If yes, how so?

Fredricks: The pandemic allowed our organization and our wonderful staff to showcase their flexibility, agility and excellence. We were able to help many people in our community during a challenging time. We provided meals to frontline workers at our health care SEGs and provided Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to those in need. The pandemic helped me appreciate how valuable handshakes and in-person events are, but realize we are not limited to helping and partnering with those that we can meet in person.

CU Times: What big-picture impact do you hope to make within your credit union, as well as for your members and community?

Fredricks: We partner with groups to relieve any financial stress they may have and allow them the freedom to do what they do best. Students become our new community leaders, educators teach those new leaders, and health care workers keep our community healthy and safe.

CU Times: What career advice would you give your younger self?

Fredricks: Trust your instincts. You are either winning or you are learning. Every interaction is a chance to learn and improve.

Would you or someone you know like to share your journey to credit union leadership? Please reach out to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com. To qualify, you must have been placed or promoted into a new senior-level leadership role within the last three years at a credit union.