BISMARCK, N.D. — The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas on Monday said Jeff Olson will take over as the next president and CEO of the trade association.
In late June, Robbie Thompson, president and CEO of the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas since July 2010,
Olson, who has served as CUAD's EVP government affairs since 2008, became the trade group's interim CEO effective July 24, while the board searched to permanently fill the position. On Monday, that search ended.
Travis Kasten, who serves as CUAD's board chair and also is president and CEO of $139 million Service First FCU, Sioux Falls, S.D., said, "Everyone at CUAD, and more specifically, our members across the Dakotas, are excited that Jeff Olson will be leading our professional credit union association."
"As our government advocacy leader for the last several years, Jeff certainly has a handle on the complex issues facing our industry today," Kasten said in a prepared statement. "More importantly, he has the experience and leadership skills to continue moving our association forward in a positive direction."
Olson said he is "very excited" about the opportunity to lead the association.
"The financial cooperative model today faces many challenges; however, there is a unique opportunity to collectively collaborate and successfully strengthen our operating environment while promoting credit unions as a financial alternative to traditional banking," said Olson. "I am looking forward to working collaboratively with the board and staff in serving and meeting our members' expectations."
Endorsements from Nussle, Kenyon
Jim Nussle, president and CEO of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), said, "Jeff Olson's appointment as president and CEO of the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas is welcomed news. Jeff is a forceful and effective advocate for credit unions, and the CUAD board of directors made a great decision in placing him in this leadership position. I look forward to continuing to work with him to strengthen the partnership between CUNA and state leagues across the country as we work to represent the best interests of state and federal credit unions."
Tracie Kenyon, president/CEO of the Montana Credit Union Network and chair of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (ACCUL), said, "Jeff's heart is with the Dakota credit unions. I look forward to working with him in his new role as league president; he brings years of advocacy and public relations experience that will benefit the entire credit union system," added Kenyon.
Experience in Advocacy, Strategic Communications
CUAD said Olson has nearly 30 years' experience in government affairs, advocacy and strategic communications. Prior to joining the trade association, he was a partner in an advertising and marketing firm specializing in public and media relations, corporate image branding, strategic marketing planning, and creative writing and production. He has worked in both radio and television as an on-air personality and news anchor/reporter at several broadcast affiliates throughout North Dakota and northern Minnesota.
Olson has previously advocated for higher education, home builders, developmentally disabled, and for smoke-free issues. He worked in the North Dakota Governor's Office as the director of constituent services, and has served as a political strategist and consultant on a number of legislative campaigns and initiated measures throughout North Dakota. Olson holds a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism from Bemidji State University in Bemidji. Minn.
Olson said he is prepared to step into this leadership role, stating, "Our mission moving forward is simple — we will continue to be a strong and effective member-driven trade association for our credit unions so they can better serve their members."
CUAD serves 79 credit unions in North and South Dakota with assets in excess of $6.2 billion and serving over 469,000 credit union members. For more information about CUAD visit
