BrightStar CEO Crockett Announces Retirement
SUNRISE, Fla. — Ralph Crockett, president and CEO of BrightStar Credit Union for the past 15 years, is retiring.
Crockett joined the CU in 1999 as vice president of business development. He was named CEO in 2002. In the past 12 years, BrightStar has more than doubled in assets, from $209 million to $445 million.
In its most recent call report, BrightStar had a loss of $3 million in the first half of 2014. Its net worth ratio as of June 30 was 9.28%, making it well capitalized.
In 2013 BrightStar reported more than $2 million in net income, after paying $289,194 to the NCUSIF. Its net worth ratio was 10.47%, making it well capitalized.
BrightStar CU board member Dr. Colin Battle has been named interim CEO. Dr. Battle has been a BrightStar member since 1973 and a board member since 1992. He has served as treasurer, ALCO committee chair and board vice chairperson.
Vantage West CU, College Football Coach Join on Financial Literacy Videos
TUCSON, Ariz. — Vantage West Credit Union, Southern Arizona's largest CU, has kicked off the college football season by teaming up with University of Arizona Football Coach Richard Rodriguez to deliver life lessons and financial literacy tips through a six-week video series.
The first video in the "Vantage West Blueprint for Success," series debuted Sunday, Aug. 24.
"Like Arizona football, Vantage West has a rich tradition in Southern Arizona and across the state. In fact, a large portion of Vantage West's membership consists of UA students, alumni and faculty," Robert D. Ramirez president and chief executive of the CU said in a statement.
The videos will be posted at
Vantage West, based here, is a $1.3 billion CU with membership of more than 130,000. It provides service to Cochise, Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties through more than 1,600 select employer groups.
CUNA Council White Paper Explores the 'Power of Psychographics'
MADISON, Wis. — A new white paper from the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, "The Power of Psychographics: Segmented & Targeted Marketing Strategies," looks at how much credit unions really know about their potential markets and what matters most to them.
Although marketers have traditionally relied on demographic data, such as age, gender, and income, the white paper discusses whether those type of data provide the most relevant analysis to define potential markets.
In the paper, the council explores the concept of psychographics, explaining what it is, how it is used, ways to gather significant data, how CUs have used it and how they can use psychographics to improve overall marketing effectiveness.
Council members are eligible to receive complimentary copies of this and more than 300 other white papers.
The paper is available online in the white paper section of
The council is a member-led organization comprising more than 1,200 CU professionals across the United States.
Pleger Named As New NASCUS Chair
ARLINGTON, Va. — NASCUS today named Stephen S. Pleger chairman of the NASCUS board.
Pleger, who also serves as senior deputy commissioner for the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (DBF), replaces former NASCUS Board Chair Mike Wettrich, who resigned in order to serve as CEO at Education First CU in Westerville, Ohio.
"Steve has been an integral part of NASCUS and the NASCUS Board, and we are excited about the future of NASCUS with him at the organization's helm," said Mary Martha Fortney, NASCUS president and CEO.
Fortney also praised Wettrich's time at the trade group. "We appreciate his service tot eh state system and to NASCUs, and look forward to continuing our relationship with him as a state credit union CCEO."
Pleger has served as senior deputy commissioner of the Georgia DBF since May 2010, overseeing the department, developing policies and regulations, supervising, and liaising with the governor, legislature and other government agencies at both the state and federal level, as well as with various trade groups.
He is set to preside over the NASCUS Annual Meeting and during the NASCUS State Summit next month.
