Gustafson retires after 37 years with Credit Union
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Zoe Gustafson
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News from Whitefish Credit Union
WHITEFISH — After more than 37 years of outstanding service, Whitefish Credit Union’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Zoe Gustafson, retired on Dec. 31.
Gustafson began her Credit Union career in March of 1980 as a teller in Whitefish, the Credit Union’s only branch at that time. Gustafson has since worked her way through nearly every position there, helping the Credit Union grow and making a lasting impression on all those who worked alongside her, said Whitefish Credit Union’s President and CEO Jim Kenyon.
“Our credit union has grown more than a billion dollars since the arrival of Zoe,” said Kenyon. “The effect she has had on this credit union and its members can’t be described in a few words. It would take a book to truly capture her impact. She is a great mentor and, while she will be greatly missed, our members will continue to see Zoe’s passion for member service engrained in our employees.”
As the senior vice president of operations, Gustafson was responsible for the implementation of all facets of member service across Whitefish Credit Union’s seven branches, including their operations center. She said it’s been remarkable to watch and be a part of Whitefish Credit Union’s growth over the years. When she began there, the Credit Union had recently celebrated reaching $10 million in assets, had just eight employees, and transactions were still calculated by hand with pencil and paper. Today, Whitefish Credit Union operates seven branches in the four northwest counties of Montana, has nearly $1.4 billion in assets, and almost 150 employees.
“With all of these changes during my time here, I’m proud that our basic philosophy of providing exceptional member service still hasn’t changed a bit,” Gustafson said. “Looking back, the high points of my career with Whitefish Credit Union have always been the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of meeting, helping and working with here.”
Sue Schenck, administrative assistant to the senior management team at Whitefish Credit Union, has worked with Gustafson for 15 years and has known her most of her life. She said Gustafson embodies the Credit Union’s values of integrity, dedication, loyalty, friendliness and reliability.
“Zoe is our rock. She has been a ‘go to’ person for every employee, no matter what their title, from the maintenance department all the way up to the CEO,” Schenck said. “She has extraordinary knowledge of policies and procedures and a clear vision of what a respectable and helpful employee of Whitefish Credit Union should be. She has worked her way up the ladder of success, and as she retires, I sincerely hope she enjoys the view from the top. She’s certainly earned it.”
In the future, she looks forward to volunteering in her community, working with the elderly, and sharing her passion for literature with young people.
