WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.–It's time to break out the beach chair and settle in for a good read, so Credit Union Journal asked CU executives: name one book you plan to read this summer and why? What one book would you suggest others read this summer? The result is the inaugural edition of the CUJ Book Club. Read on to see what your peers are reading.
RICHARD GRADY, vice president, marketing, public relations and communications, Texas CU League, Dallas
1) Name one book you plan to read this summer and why?
“White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters” by Robert Schlesinger.
Although we attribute great words to great leaders, many times it is great writers, the individuals that crafted the important policy statements, that are the real authors of the great words. I want to know more about them and their thinking.
2) What one book would you suggest others read this summer? “Generations: The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069” by Neil Howe and William Strauss.
It will challenge your thinking about history and the future simultaneously, thus causing your right and left brain to meld in new thought. I would also recommend “The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression” by Amity Shlaes, in case we have forgotten why credit unions were given birth in the U.S. and are so important in today’s society, and for the little guy (so we do not reach a point of repeating it).
MARK ANDREWS, vice president, sales and marketing, Clark County CU, Las Vegas
I’ve just begun reading “The Late Great USA” by Dr. Jerome Corsi. The implications of the coming political and economic merger of the three nations on the North American continent, mean death to our nation’s sovereignty and complete disruption of every American’s way of life. This is the book I recommend–it’s quite an eye-opener.
JASON MEYERS, director of marketing and public relations, Desert Schools FCU, Phoenix
1) Name one book you plan to read this summer and why?
I plan to read, “The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million” by Daniel Mendelsohn
This NY Times Bestseller is a writer’s search for the truth behind his family’s tragic past in World War II. I plan to read it as a way to connect with my Jewish heritage and teach my kids about their great grandparents.
2) What one book would you suggest others read this summer?
“The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding” by Al Ries and Laura Ries. This book offers visionary insight on how to position your brand for business competition, maximize advertising creative and connect with consumers.
ELLIS WALLER, manager, CUNA Councils, Madison, Wis.
I am in the midst of re-reading “Mary Queen of Scots,” by Margaret George, having just finished the biography of Blackhawk, “The Battle for the Heart of America” by Kerry Trask. If I find the time I may delve into Moody and Fite’s “The Credit Union Movement.”
BRIAN WARFEL, SVP of sales and service at Power Financial Credit Union in Pembroke Pines, Fla., and Chair of CUNA’s Tech Council
Smithsonian Magazine (monthly)
Good to Great by Jim Collins (for the 2nd time)
Powerlines by Steve Cone
I also subscribe to Smarthouse (online magazine) and Tone Audio (online magazine).
FRANK SELKER, president of AssetExchange, Portland, Ore.
I am just finishing “Three Cups of Tea.” It is about a man who has been building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is a very inspiring book about what one person can do. I’m not a lover of business books, I find them very faddish. But I do plan to read “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey to Educate the World’s Children” by John Wood.
WALTER LASKOS, director, public relations for WesCorp, San Dimas, Calif.
I plan to read, “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception,” by former White House press secretary, Scott McClellan. I want to know how a press secretary can change his tune so radically. Did he find religion?
As a book worth reading, I recommend, “It’s Not Easy Being Me,” by Rodney Dangerfield. Never dismiss the power of laughter!
RICH JONES, VP of marketing, Elevations CU, Boulder, Colo., and vice chair of the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Executive Committee
1) Name one book you plan to read this summer and why?
“Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Managers Remake Them” by Donald Sull
“Blue Zones” by Dan Buettner
“The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch
2) What one book would you suggest others read this summer?
“The Breakthrough Company” by Keith McFarland
“Blue Ocean Strategy” by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
PAMELA FINCH, vice president of administration and chief financial officer, Mid Minnesota FCU, Baxter, Minn., and vice chair of the CUNA CFO Council
I LOVE to read so my list is really quite long, but I will keep it short:
1) Book I plan to read this summer: for fun–Janet Evanovich’s “Fearless Fourteen”; for business–“Leadership and Self-Deception–Getting Out of the Box” and “Now, Discover Your Strengths” (I haven’t decided which one comes first.)
2) Book for others to read: for fun–Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series (hilarious detective-type fun); for business–“The Oz Principle”
RON WOODBURY, executive vice president and chief information and administrative officer, Altura CU, Riverside, Calif.
As soon as I’m finished with Aldous Huxley’s: “Brave New World”–which I am finally getting around to reading–I will grab my copy of John Grisham’s “The Appeal”
From a recommendation perspective, I have a few from the fiction rack:
1) John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces” (Hilarious)
2) Christopher Moore’s “A Dirty Job” (Dark Humor)
3) Nelson DeMille’s “Wildfire” (Espionage)
And a couple from the leadership rack:
1) A long-time favorite Oakley & Krug’s “Enlightened Leadership”
2) And, Patrick M. Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable.”
If I had to pick just one of the recommendations: “A Confederacy of Dunces.”
DAN PAULSON, CEO, WestStar CU, Las Vegas
On Memorial Day weekend I read a book I picked up while at Barnes and Noble: Robert Ballard’s “Guadalcanal: Exploring the Ghost Fleet of the South Pacific.” This book detailed the battle of Guadalcanal during World War II and the underwater exploration of the ships that were lost to the sea during that battle.
I am now reading at night: “Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue” by Geoff Schumacher. One day I saw it advertised in the Las Vegas Review Journal that Geoff was going to autograph the book at Borders bookstore. I went and retrieved a copy and obtained his signature. The book is interesting in terms of how much effect on others’ lives this powerful man had.
JENNIFER MORSE, VP of human relations, training and development, Empower FCU, Syracuse, N.Y., and Vice Chair of the CUNA HR/TD Council
I had a hard time narrowing it down so I listed two each:
Two books I plan to read this summer: “Toyota Talent” by Liker/Meier; “50 Best Girlfriend Getaways in North America” by Marybeth Bond
Two books I suggest others read: “Quiet Strength” by Tony Dungy, “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne.
STAN HOLLEN, CEO, CO-OP Financial Services, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Name one book you plan to read this summer and why? Jim Cramer’s “Stay Mad for Life.” It is a financial planning tool by the CNBC mad man.
What one book would you suggest others read this summer? “The Black Swan–The Impact of the Highly Improbable.”
DENNIS DEGROODT, president and CEO, Missouri Corporate CU, St. Louis:
I plan to read “Profiles in Courage” by John F. Kennedy. I read it years ago and plan to read it again this summer. I just finished reading “Against Death and Time” by Brock Yates. It’s a book about auto racing. If you’re an auto racing fan, it’s a great read.
JOHN MCKECHNIE, director of public and congressional affairs, NCUA, Alexandria, Va.
I’m reading the “The Last Shot: The Incredible Story of the C.S.S. Shenandoah and the True Conclusion of the American Civil War,” by Lynn Schooler.
I have always been fascinated by the Civil War, and have exhausted almost every other facet but this one. A truly arcane, yet moving part of the most important four years in America’s history, this Confederate warship sailed the globe for almost nine months following Lee’s surrender, oblivious that peace was being declared everywhere else.
In this era of instantaneous communication, it’s easy to forget just how detached it was possible to be in that bygone era. Summer is a time to get away, and this book will provide a glimpse into what escapism really is.
I recommend “1920: The Year of the Six Presidents,” by David Pietrusza. Now that we’re heading into a wide-open election, this book is a reminder that American politics has always been a multi-faceted, intense, and unpredictable tableau. Six past, current, and future presidents played key roles in that year’s election (which, like this one, featured no incumbent president or vice president on the ballot, and resulted in the election of a U.S. Senator), and the soap opera-like back story of the campaign almost seems like fiction–except it all really happened.
KATHY THOMPSON, CUNA SVP and associate general counsel for regulatory compliance and legislative law, Washington
I’m a big George Washington fan, so I’ve read a couple of Joseph Ellis books: “His Excellency: George Washington” and “The Founding Brothers,” and now have his 2007 “American Creation” at the top of my stack. And my husband just bought me a gigantic “Atlas of the American Revolution” by Craig L. Symonds so I can plot out more trips to follow in George Washington’s footsteps.
What made me a George Washington “groupie” (having a whole bookcase dedicated to Washington books and memorabilia): a few years back, my husband got me hooked on the Shaara Civil War series. So then I read Jeff Shaara’s “Rise to Rebellion” and “The Glorious Cause.” The books made me realize how fortunate our country was to have had George Washington to set the standard! I recommend them.
JOHN MAGILL, CUNA senior VP of legislative affairs
I’m reading “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett, and it’s one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) suggested reading it at a luncheon we attend together at the start of each month. It’s about the struggles of a monastic community and its efforts to build a cathedral in the Middle Ages in England.
May sound like boring subject matter, but its insight into the strength of the church, a tale of knights, feuding kings, and the economic struggles of the times is utterly fascinating. For the first time in my life, I found myself re-reading pages and chapters along the way due to the spellbinding way in which it’s written. Absolutely captivating.
RICHARD MCBRIDE, CUNA EVP/chief of staff and chief operating officer
I have just read the reprint of Edward A. Filene’s “Speaking of Change.” It is an adapted version of his writings and speeches published by the Filene Research Institute. It is terrific and very relevant to today. Fascinating insight through his own speeches and writings.
RODNEY HOOD, NCUA vice chairman, Alexandria, Va.
I just read and greatly enjoyed the book, “Blue Ocean Strategy,” by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne. The metaphor of red and blue oceans describes the market universe. A red ocean is the known market space where companies operate with little or no innovation. Conversely, a blue ocean is a dynamic market space where companies embrace innovation and create a new value proposition simultaneously for the consumer and the company. I like this book because it highlights several areas that are applicable to the credit union industry as it seeks to differentiate itself from other financial services providers.
This summer, I intend to read “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Goodwin is a phenomenal presidential historian and I can’t wait to learn a little more about President Lincoln.
MARK WILLER, chief operating officer, Royal Credit Union, Eau Claire, Wis.
I am reading “Crucial Conversations.” I’ve started reading this book and have found that like many things, successful techniques in your business life are easily adapted to your personal life. It isn’t always about work.
I would recommend “Dream Manager” by Matthew Kelly–An easy read about leadership and the importance of having and achieving dreams.
DENNIS DUNN, CEO, Mountain High FCU, Provo, Utah
Finding one book I’m reading might be a little tough, since reading is my favorite pastime and I always have piled at least a half dozen books off my short list. I am currently reading Steven R. Covey’s “6 Events” and next up is one of the two novels I will read this month – the historical Amazon adventure of Theodore Roosevelt, “The River of Doubt” by Candice Millard.
The one book that I would make required reading for all graduating high school seniors and their parents is the timeless classic by George S. Clason, “The Richest Man in Babylon,” a simple but inspiring book in parable form that teaches how easily people can change their fiscal habits to enjoy a comfortable level of financial independence.
KENT STREULING, VP-human resources, America First Credit Union, Ogden, Utah, and chair of the CUNA HR/TD Council
I have just completed “Harry Potter,” am currently reading “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch and my next book will be “The Ultimate Question” by Fred Reichheld.
The book that I would recommend is my current reading “The Last Lecture,” if you want to have a reminder of the things that are really important.
JOANN JOHNSON, NCUA chairman, Alexandria, Va.
I recently completed Ken Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth.” It qualifies not only as the longest book I’ve ever read, but also as my favorite. Set in the Middle Ages around the building of a cathedral, the story covers the entire lives of the central characters. I intended for the book to simply help pass the time while on a long flight, but found I couldn’t put it down after I returned home.
This summer I’m eager to read the sequel, “World Without End,” which picks up two centuries later in the same village of Kingsbridge.
CLAIRE IPPOLITI, VP of Lending, Philadelphia Credit Union, Philadelphia, Pa.
I am reading “Dead Ringer,” by Lisa Scottoline. I enjoy a good mystery and I like the fact that Lisa’s stories are based in Philadelphia.
I would suggest: “A Freewheelin Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties,” by Suze Rotolo. Suze was Bob Dylan’s girlfriend for four years and part of this book explores that relationship. The reason I enjoyed this book and would recommend others read it is for the historical perspective it gives. Suze was a red-diaper baby (communist parents) and the book takes you back to a time in history that was very political and polarizing. I think we can learn a bit about where we are today and where we should possibly be.
DAVE DOSS, CEO, Arizona Savings and Credit Union, Glendale, Arizona.
I have a few books that I am in process of reading. One is “Scenarios: The Art Of Strategic Conversation,” by Kees Van Der Heijden. This book is thought provoking and takes me out of the day to day and helps me get to the 30,000 foot level with focus on our future. I try to stay at this level most of the time however events of the day can pull me into operations issues. Also for leisure I am reading “Fool’s Paradise” by John Geirach, this is about fly-fishing, one of my favorite pastimes. It is humorous and helps me to remember to not take myself too seriously.
BILL SPEARMAN, President and CEO, Mid-Hudson Valley FCU, Kingston, N.Y.
I am reading “Counter Intuitive Marketing,” by Kevin Clancy and Peter Krieg. The book was suggested by consultants that are performing a Marketing Audit of MHV this year. The book promises to provide insight to into the broad area of successful marketing including research, branding, positioning, targeting and implementation. So far the book has provided interesting tales of Fortune 500 companies success and failures and more importantly why.
However, I have a broad range in interest when it comes to reading books. I generally read between 25 and 30 books per year.
Two of my favorites this year include David Baldacchi’s “The Whole Truth.” I have read all of Baldacchi books including the “Camel Club.” Fans of the “Camel Club” include Presidents’ Clinton and George Bush. A second book, “A Beautiful Boy,” by David Scheff tells a heart-wrenching true story of parents dealing with a son battling an addiction to drugs and how they dealt with this painful process.
ERIN MENDEZ, SVP-finance and technology, SchoolsFirst FCU, Santa Ana, Calif., and chair of CUNA CFO Council.
Being at a California-based credit union, I’m brushing up on managing risk and have just started an academic book titled “Managing Bank Risk,” an introduction to board-base credit engineering by Morton Glantz. Below is a synopsis:
Featuring new credit engineering tools, Managing Bank Risk combines innovative analytic methods with traditional credit management processes. Professor Glantz provides print and electronic risk-measuring tools that ensure credits are made in accordance with bank policy and regulatory requirements, giving bankers with the data necessary for judging asset quality and value. The book’s two sections, “New Approaches to Fundamental Analysis” and “Credit Administration,” show readers ways to assimilate new tools, such as credit derivatives, cash flow computer modeling, distress prediction and workout, interactive risk rating models, and probabilistic default screening, with well-known controls. By following the guidelines of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Managing Bank Risk offers useful models, programs, and documents essential for creating a sound credit risk environment, credit granting processes, and appropriate administrative and monitoring controls.
We are currently implementing more advanced methods for credit risk management and forecasting loan charge-offs here at SchoolsFirst FCU, and so I felt it prudent to prepare myself and others in this regard. The intent is to have this book serve as a reference document as well (internally). Although this is far from pleasure reading, the better informed and able we are to respond to market conditions and improve processes, the better we serve our members. (c) 2008 The Credit Union Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.cujournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com
