Our board represents a cross-section of our community and has a passion for our organization and those we serve. The members work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization and oversee that the funds raised directly affect those in need.
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JoAnne Fillwock served as President and CEO of Option 1 Credit Union (formerly Financial Health Credit Union in East Lansing, MI) for 20 years, retiring from that position in 2007.
During her tenure as CEO she served as the Chairperson of the Michigan Credit Union Act Modernization Task Force, the MCUL Community Reinvestment Initiative and she Chaired the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors Credit Union (NASCUS) Advisory Council. She was a member of Michigan’s Office of Financial and Insurance Services Credit Union Advisory Council, the Credit Union National Association Governmental Affairs Committee, and served on the Ingham Regional Healthcare Foundation Board. In 2004, she received the Michigan Credit Union League’s Distinguished Service Award and was elected into the Michigan Credit Union Hall of Fame. She lives in Lansing with her husband, Jim.
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Beth Troost serves as the Financial Education Coordinator for the Michigan Credit Union League. A Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor, Beth provides support, training, and resources for financial education for credit union staff and members. Beth is a board member of the Michigan Jump$tart Coalition, and the League’s representative for Money Smart Week, the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), and MSU Extension.
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Kathy Carlson is President/CEO of Member First Mortgage in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Member First Mortgage is a mortgage CUSO (Credit Union Service Organization) that is owned by 12 Credit Unions in Michigan. Currently MFM serves over 60 Credit Unions. Kathy has been involved in mortgage lending for the past 24 years and has held various senior management positions with Community Banks and Credit Unions before joining MFM in December of 2005. Kathy serves on the Credit Union Advisory Board for Freddie Mac and is also a member of the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association. Kathy lives in Saranac, Michigan with her husband Bruce. She enjoys spending her free time reading books, horseback riding and playing with her two dogs.
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Karen Casler is the Manager of Financial Counseling at CASE Credit Union and has worked in the credit union industry over 30 years holding various positions in Lending, Audit, Compliance, Security and Member Services. A Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor, she also works to bring financial education to the CASE Credit Union membership and the Lansing community as a National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and Family Economics & Financial Education (FEFE) certified trainer. In her community she volunteers in Girl Scouting and as a Board Advisor for CASE Cares, a 501 (c) (3) organization, as a grant writer. CASE Cares is dedicated to making a difference for those in need currently working to bring a barrier-free playground and Miracle League Baseball Field to the greater Lansing area.
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Margo is the President/CEO of Astera Credit Union, formerly known as Auto Body Credit Union. She has worked at the credit union for 28 years, the last eight as the CEO. She currently serves as a director of Member Driven Technologies, a credit union service organization (CUSO) providing IT services to credit unions and the Michigan CUES (Credit Union Executive Society) Council. She is the past chairperson of the Lansing Chapter of Credit Unions and currently serves on the Executive Board. Margo is active in the Grand Ledge Rotary, Michigan Historical Foundation and the Cole Briggs Post 48 Ladies Auxiliary, where she is the co-chair of Veterans Affairs. She is the past recipient of the Lois Lawrence Volunteer of the Year Award. Margo received her “Certified Chief Executive” (CCE) designation from the Credit Union Executive Society. A lifelong resident of Grand Ledge, Margo currently lives in Watertown Township with her husband Richard.
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Martha is the Director of Membership Relations at the Michigan Credit Union League, overseeing the credit union relationship managers, the CRI International partnership, financial education programs, and the Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF). Prior to joining the MCUL, Martha was the Vice President of Consulting for the Maryland/DC Credit Union Association and also has experience working for the World Council of Credit Unions. She was previously the CEO for St. Cletus Credit Union in Michigan.
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Pat is a lifelong resident of the Greater Lansing Area. He is Senior Vice President of Marketing at LAFCU. Pat has over 15 years of management experience in credit union operations. His experience includes operations management, sales / marketing, negotiations, community / public relations, regulatory compliance and asset liability management. Pat is a Past President of the South Lansing Holt / Rotary. He sits on several committees including: Michigan Historical Foundation, Bank On Michigan, Greater Lansing Food Bank, and Boars Head Theater. Pat works closely with the leadership of LRCC, LEAP and elected officials on community initiatives. Pat has experience as a CEO, Credit Union Volunteer and Real Estate Sales Broker. Pat holds a Michigan Real Estate Brokers License. He is a past recipient of the Marion Marshall Community Service award. Pat is married to Katie and they reside in East Lansing.
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Robin is the AVP of Mortgage Services at Lake Trust Credit Union. Robin has worked in the Financial Institution Industry for 29 years and she currently serves as the Chapter President for the Mid Michigan Mortgage Lenders and also belongs to the Women’s Council of Realtors. Robin has been committed to consumer financial and homeowner education, creating and presenting seminars to members and the public. She has also partnered with Ferris Development, Teen Parenting, Alternative Education, Churches, and MSU Extension to educate consumers. Robin received her undergraduate degree in Business from Northwood University in 2004 and went on to complete her MBA at Northwood in 2007.
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Erica Tobe is a Coordinator for the Family Economics and Consumerism Team with Michigan State University Extension. This teams focus areas consist of: adult and youth financial education; housing counseling and foreclosure prevention; and youth entrepreneurship and career development.Erica’s primary areas of expertise consist of youth financial education and youth entrepreneurship. She is the state representative for the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program; chair of the IGNITE K12 Youth Entrepreneurship Committee as part of the Moving Ideas to Market Initiative and Prima Civitas Foundation, and past National Extension Liaison to the Credit Union Movement. Erica has a Masters degree in Social Work and a Bachelors of Science degree in Family and Consumer Resources, both from Michigan State University. Erica began working with Michigan State University Extension in 1998. Erica is also a Credit Union Development Educator, a designation from the Credit Union National Association.
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Dave Toepp has been President/CEO of Mortgage Center since 1995. He has 28 years of Mortgage Banking experience encompassing all areas of the business. Mortgage Center is a Michigan credit union owned Credit Union Service Organization serving the members of 75 Michigan credit unions. They currently own and service $1.2 billion in mortgage loans for credit unions and their members. The Company was formed in 1990 and has a Board of Directors comprised of the CEO’s of the six owner credit unions.
Dave received a Bachelors Degree from the Indiana University School of Business in 1980 and resides in Farmington Hills, MI.
