In some families, the ‘people helping people’ philosophy is more than a motto. It’s a calling.
When I started at Fairwinds in 1988, it was still called Navy Orlando Federal Credit Union, and I had no intention of staying there long term. Being a member service representative was simply a job that helped me pay rent and eat so that I could move to Florida. Little did I know then that I would hold increasingly responsible positions at that credit union for more than 16 years, including 12 years as the president of its credit union service organization!
Today, 37 years later, I can’t imagine working in another industry. Some of my closest friends are people I met during my first week at the credit union. The credit union core value of “people helping people” is in my blood, and I get to deliver on that every single day at PARC Street Group.
I’m proud that one of my sons also works in this industry. He started at a credit union where I am a member and have done business, and is now with Allied Solutions. I have loved hearing about my son’s accomplishments from his bosses, people I know and respect. My son and I attended the same conference this year and for the first time, I was able to watch him present. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face!
Inspired by this connection, I wanted to learn more about my PARC colleagues who also span the generations in the credit union world to understand the value they place on the industry and its commitment to being “people helping people.” I hope you’ll find the stories as inspiring as I did.
Credit Unions Work for Their Members, Not Shareholders
For Andrew Smith, working with family at PARC happened out of the blue, but “now they can’t get rid of me!”
Andrew, a case design specialist with PARC, had taken a year off from school in November 2020 due to COVID. “Bruce (Andrew’s father and a partner in PARC Street Group) didn’t want me to do nothing for a year until I went back to school, so he brought me into the business,” Andrew says. “At the time, I didn’t even know what a credit union was.”
Today, however, Andrew has a deep appreciation for the credit union model, particularly that CUs work for their members rather than for shareholders, as banks do. He finds the difference compelling: “When you talk to a board member and find out they’d rather voluntarily dissolve the credit union and distribute the net worth they’ve built up to the members who’ve been with the organization for many years rather than merge into a larger organization, that’s very interesting.”
Andrew completed his degree in business administration at Washington College in 2021. His brother, Matthew, also joined the company in 2021 as a graphic designer and marketer.
Helping Executives Retire Well Is Cool
The Berman family also values its multi-generational involvement in the credit union industry. An associate executive benefits consultant at PARC, Jacob “Jake” Berman feels like he grew up in the credit union industry because his dad, Jason Berman, an executive benefits consultant for PARC, has worked with credit unions for 25 years.
“I’m extremely grateful to be able to work on the same team with my dad, as he was always someone I looked up to growing up,” Jake says. “I also get the opportunity to travel and meet industry leaders, learn from them, and expand my knowledge in the credit union space. The credit union industry has some of the nicest and most down-to-earth people. Everyone wants to help everyone, and I love being a part of that.”
Jake’s brothers also work in the credit union space, one at Alloya Corporate and the other at Tyfone. Their father, Jason, recalls taking them to credit union conferences when they were young kids. “They had such great experiences, they wanted to do what dad does,” Jason says. “Now, many years later, there are times when we are all at conferences representing our respective companies.”
When you ask this PARC father-son duo why they love working with credit union people, you’ll find similarities across the generations and reminders of the “people helping people” mantra. Jason notes, “My best friends are execs at CUs or other vendors. I joined PARC to help my friends plan for retirement.” Jake adds, “Being able to help executives retire effectively and giving them the opportunity to sustain their lifestyle at retirement is a really cool thing to be able to do. To know we helped someone and their family out is what we strive for.”
Generational Commitment: A Good Thing for Our Industry
The shared values across generations expressed by my PARC colleagues make me hopeful for the future of credit unions and their members. As new generations join the ranks, they bring fresh perspectives, while upholding the industry’s foundational values that are being passed down to them. The enthusiasm expressed by young professionals like my son, Jake Berman, and Andrew Smith ensures that the focus on member well-being will remain central, solidifying credit unions’ unique position as compassionate and trustworthy financial institutions.
About the Author
Tammy O’Hara, CCUE, AAI, CCD, CIE, CLU®
Executive Benefits Consultant & Partner
Tammy O’Hara, Executive Benefits Consultant & Partner with PARC Street Group, works with credit unions to design Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs) that attract and retain high-performing leaders. With over 35 years of experience in the credit union and financial services industries, she combines deep institutional knowledge with a client-first approach. Tammy is recognized for delivering innovative executive benefit solutions backed by exceptional service, and she leverages her extensive background in governance, strategy, and leadership development to help credit unions strengthen their executive teams.
