Member Spotlight: Karen Richey

CUNA HR/TD Council
September 16, 2009 | COMMENTS

Karen Richey is vice president of human resources and operations for Helena Community Credit Union in Helena, Montana.

“I grew up in a tiny town 30 miles from the Canadian border in Montana, went to college and got a degree in health information management,” says Karen. “I was a department head for a home care agency for several years that grew by leaps and bounds, and picked up HR by accident, doing both HR and medical records.”

As the company continued to grow Karen eventually chose to work exclusively in human resources. She received her SPHR in 1997 and worked for the home-care company for 22 years before joining Helena Community Credit Union in 1999.

Biggest challenge

Attracting and retaining quality staff and playing with the "big dogs" (banks).

Best advice

Stay tuned to the worker expectations and generational challenges coming in the next 5-10 years.

Greatest benefit of Council membership

The detailed list serve advice.

Best part of my job

The people

Hardest part of my job

Paying competitive wages in comparison with banks and health care. The financial services industry is several years behind in terms of wages compared to health care.

Success story

Improvement of member service through the use of mystery shoppers and training. It took us a few months, but we finally got the points across in a non-punitive manner, even to the younger staff.

Biggest misconception people have about my job

That HR is all negative, nasty stuff.

Hobbies and interests

I build miniatures (dollhouses, etc.).

Recent book

The Shack by William P. Young.

Life goal not yet accomplished

Travel to all 50 states (38 and counting).

Something that always makes me laugh

Little kids and my basset hounds.

If I had an extra hour in the day . . .

I'd sit in the garden and read.

Favorite quote

“Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor, Satan shudders and says "Oh shit, she's awake!!"

What's playing in the MP3 player

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

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

My husband. He's the greatest guy in the world.

How I would explain the credit union difference to prospective new members

Talk about their wishes, desires and needs, relate how we can help them, and how we view them as individuals, not just numbers.

> View Karen's Profile in CUNA Councils Connect