NUTLEY, N.J. -
During McKittrick's tenure, Proponent FCU has grown to $400 million in assets, opened branches in New Jersey and North Carolina, and has routinely appeared on Ward-Smith's list of "High Performance" credit unions. McKittrick also has served as president of the CUES New Jersey Council for the past 30 years.
CU Journal: Describe your early career and the situation when you arrived at the Proponent FCU.
McKittrick: In my first job in 1961, I was part of a four-year Accelerated Career Training program for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. While there, I went through all the operating areas of the bank, which gave me a solid basis for running a credit union. I left Chase Manhattan in 1968 and began as an accounting clerk for Hoffmann-La Roche, a pharmaceutical company and at that time the credit union's sponsor. I soon became a credit and accounts receivable manager and, because of my credit background, was asked to assist the Credit Committee of what was then HLR FCU.
When I was selected as full-time manager of HLR FCU in April 1974, I had already served two years as a Credit Committee volunteer and had just been elected to the board of directors, from which I then resigned. The credit union had $4 million in assets, four employees and offered regular shares with life savings insurance, which we still provide to members this day, and auto and signature loans. The bookkeeper left for maternity leave the week I started, so I spent weekends and evenings doing bank reconciliations and financials.
CUJ: How did you progress and what goals did you have for the CU?
McKittrick: Since we had great sponsor support, we wanted to serve our members and sponsor group really well. We soon went to a cash operation, which the members loved, and also allowed the sponsor to shut down its cashier's office. Certificates of deposit, checking and money market accounts soon followed, as did home equity and other loans. In the early 1990s, we began offering first mortgages.
CUJ: What challenges did the CU face?
McKittrick: During sponsor layoffs in 1985 and again in 1995, we were at the outplacement center from day one with those who were terminated. We had one of the few positive messages for that group, which was, "You keep your credit union membership and we will stand by you through tough times." Many of those people are still viable members today.
CUJ: How has the CU grown during your tenure?
McKittrick: Today we have 11 branches in New Jersey and North Carolina, 120 employees, $400 million in assets and just about every major product and service members want, including home banking and bill pay, financial planning, investment and insurance products, and others.
I've been blessed with a great management team and staff, not to mention dedicated boards of directors through the years.
CUJ: Please provide a snapshot of your CU today.
McKittrick: Proponent FCU is in good shape and set for the future. We've expanded beyond our original sponsor and have merged with a small CU into our member base. Proponent FCU is willing to consider all possibilities for future.
CUJ: Anything you wish you would have done or done differently?
McKittrick: We probably should have converted data processors sooner than we did, and there may have been other things to consider. But we've looked at our situation carefully and the strategic plan is right. Now it just needs continued execution.
CUJ: What are your post-retirement plans?
McKittrick: I plan to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren, do more around my house and church, and get out fishing more often.
I may also take some golf lessons to see if I can actually play the game decently. (It's lonely when you play left-handed.) And hopefully, there still will be time left to help some of the smaller credit unions in my area.
It has been a great feeling to know that, at the end of the day, you and your staff have actually helped someone have a better life through the services you provide.
