Member Spotlight: Melissa Hunt

CUNA Councils
July 3, 2008 | COMMENTS

Melissa Hunt is vice president of business development for Smart Financial Credit Union in Houston, Texas. Melissa was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and began her career in the banking world, “but soon saw the light and crossed over to the glory land!”

She worked for Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union for 14 years in various roles, including accounting manager, before joining Smart Financial Credit Union in 2004.

“Through my career with Suncoast,” says Melissa, “I had the opportunity to get involved with many projects, including heading up the implementation of the first-ever high school student-operated credit union in Florida. Knowing how much I enjoy working with the public, I began to seek opportunities that would bring me out of my office and into the public eye.”

That led to her to Smart Financial Credit Union, where she accepted the position of vice president of business development. Melissa now directs a department of four, with responsibilities that include core and SEG nurturing, open enrollments, business accounts, student loan portfolios, and all community events.

Biggest challenge

We have two major challenges. The first is determining what events in our community to participate in, weighing the cost of the event against the benefit, while keeping in mind that we are spending our members' money. We always want to make the best decision for our community as well as our members. The second would be getting potential members over the hurdle of actually switching their accounts to us. It is viewed by most as a hassle and inconvenience, when in truth it is somewhat painless if our switch-kit is utilized.

Best advice

My advice to anyone, credit union family or not, is to be passionate about what you do! When you are passionate about your career, family, life in general, it shines through and success is inevitable!

Greatest benefit of Council membership

The Council allows me to get a variety of outlooks and ideas from credit unions of all sizes and field of memberships. Also, having the ability to solicit my peers for advice, input, and information is invaluable.

Best part of my job

Being able to go out and share the credit union culture. My favorite audience is an audience that is unfamiliar with credit unions and the history we hold. When I share the differences between credit unions and banks and our philosophy of "people helping people" and the true meaning behind that philosophy, I know it encourages people and plants a sincere desire to be a part of such an extraordinary movement.

Hardest part of my job

I love my job and would be hard pressed to label anything as "hard.”

Success story

Our most recent success was creating a four-hour, in-house business development training program that will give all our staff members the opportunity to do business development, be it through a three-minute elevator speech or representing us at an event.

Biggest misconception people have about my job

That it is all fun and games. Other credit union staff members see my team and I laughing and having fun, and of course we are out of the office a lot, so the misconception is that our job is easy. What many of them don't realize is the number of evening and weekend events we work, the preparation involved in pulling off a successful event, the necessary reporting that we do to track our successes, the Sunday afternoon phone calls we receive from members on our cell phone, and of course my personal favorite, the challenge of making sure all of our goodies aren't swiped from our table by an over-excited attendee!

Hobbies and interests

Outside of spreading the credit union culture, I love spending time with my husband and our three girls. I also enjoy reading inspirational material and working on Suduko puzzles.

Recent book

The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

Life goal not yet accomplished

Becoming financially secure so I can teach elementary education.

Something that always makes me laugh

People-watching with my husband!

Favorite quotes

"A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits." --Richard Nixon

"When you choose to live your life on purpose, you will reveal the purpose of your life." --Mike Jones

If I could spend a day with anyone . . .

It would be Hillary Clinton. She is a woman who has faced public scrutiny, personal embarrassment, social challenges, and still she perseveres. Moving forward every day, regardless of what others perceive as obstacles in her life. She makes the choice to live every day on purpose with purpose. I don't agree with everything she represents, but I do admire her courage and ability to stand strong in who she is!

How would I show/explain the credit union difference to potential new members?

The best way to convey the credit union difference is by giving a short history lesson on where, when, and most importantly, why credit unions began. Explaining that every member has a voting privilege and even the opportunity to make decisions for the credit union by occupying a seat on the board. Explaining exactly what not-for-profit means and what that means to our membership as well as explaining where bank profits go. Giving examples of how we give back to the community. And finally conveying my passion and belief for this industry by the pure excitement and commitment in my voice and body language!