EL CENTRO, Calif.-Dale Johnson is a man of few words, and his management style reflects it.
Johnson became president and CEO of $277-million Sun Community FCU, after having served as EVP and CFO for two years prior. He replaced Harold Walk, who was CEO from September 2006 to January 2013.
Prior to coming to Sun Community FCU, Johnson had experience at several banks. He was president and CEO, founder, and director of Homestead Bank from 2001 to 2006 before the bank was sold to Security Bank. From 2006-08, while waiting out a non-compete clause with Security Bank, he was a consultant with three banks in Georgia. Most recently, he was EVP at American United Bank for two years.
Johnson also has run a software company and been regional director of consulting for PriceWaterhouse Coopers. He is a U.S. Army veteran.
Johnson said his management philosophy is to stay out of the way.
"I have learned to empower the managers, to let them do their jobs," he said. "The CEO should concentrate on the big picture and not micro-manage."
Johnson believes the role of a credit union CEO is to be able to, "communicate the vision for the organization and set a good example."
The skill set that prepares someone to be a credit union CEO includes an understanding of the numbers involved, but Johnson said he or she should "strive to be a good communicator," and be "open and honest in dealing with people."
No amount of training can prepare a CEO for how to be calm in a crisis, he noted. "This is something you learn on the job."
