Member Spotlight: Nancy Lee Seamons

CUNA Councils
April 14, 2008 | COMMENTS

Nancy Lee Seamons is Human Resource Director for East Idaho Credit Union in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Born and raised in Blackfoot, Idaho, Nancy worked at the Idaho National Laboratory for over 17 years. She also graduated from Idaho State University with bachelor's degree in Human Resource Development/Corporate Training.

“I put my children through college first and then I went college,” says Nancy. “From there I managed a staffing service and enjoyed that very much. Then I was given the opportunity to join East Idaho Credit Union, where I have been for ten years.”

Nancy was the first human resource person ever hired for East Idaho Credit Union. “It has been very rewarding to come in and set up the Human Resource Department,” she says. “The employees were not sure what an HR director does, or if they even needed one. I have helped train the managers in leadership, documentation, employment laws, and all other aspects of the human resource department.”

Biggest challenge

We are steadily growing and are currently opening up our tenth branch, which of course as all of you know requires hiring several employees, moving employees around, and settling the dust. East Idaho Credit Union is located in Bonneville County, which currently has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. This makes it extremely difficult to find qualified candidates for the jobs that are currently open.

Best advice

Document, document, document, which I am very sure all of you already know!

Greatest benefit of Council membership

The feedback everyone so willing shares. It is great for networking with people that are dealing with the same concerns and problems. I appreciate all of the members of HR/TD Council. Thank you for all of your help.

Best part of my job

It is never boring. I love the challenges that employees present. I love the diversity of the job and the problems to be solved.

Hardest part of my job

Having to let someone go, especially when that person has been with us for along time. It is so difficult because you know how it is going to impact their life.

Success story

Passing the human resource audit with flying colors. The auditor told me that there were always several areas that she had never found any credit union to have in place in her 22 years of conducting audits, and we had them both.

Biggest misconception people have about my job

That it is easy.

Hobbies and interests

I have a wide variety of interests, such as, golf, camping, fishing, dancing, painting, reading, horseback riding, long rides, singing, to name a few.

Life goal not yet accomplished

To be a millionaire, of course!

Favorite quote

"Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you." (William Arthur Ward)

What's in your CD player or iPod?

Country western, show tunes, easy listening, and oldies.

If I could spend a day with anyone it would be . . .

Barbara Barrington-Jones, because she is intelligent, funny, loving, and truly cares about people.

How would you describe or show the credit union difference to a prospective new member?

The credit union makes a difference in people's lives because it is owned by the members. We are interested in helping each of our communities. We don't answer to big corporations, stockholders, or highly-paid board of directors. We are non-profit and return any profit back to the members in lower interest rates and less fees. We are here for our members and to meet their needs and interests.