Connie Barlow is a busy woman. When she is not walking her dog, Lizzi, she is a Town Councillor in Golden, the Executive Director of the Golden Community Resources Society, and she has been a Board Director at Columbia Valley Credit Union for ten years. “Serving on the Credit Union Board is a chance to give back to the community, have fun and learn something new. We are a valuable community partner. Our team always puts our members’ best interests first. And perhaps most importantly, the money that comes into the Credit Union stays right here in our community.”

Meet Monica Parkinson. Monica and her family own Parky’s Heating and Cooling in Golden, and she is a long time, active volunteer in our community. Monica served as the Chair of the Kicking Horse Culture Board of Directors, and currently serves on the Board of the Golden Community Resources Society and the Metis Nation Columbia River Society. “Our credit union is a supporter and builder of our community. As a Board, we are focused on advancing the credit union so it can continue to play an important role in our economy and community.”

Glen Ewan is busy. When he is not spending time with his grandchildren, Glen serves as one of your CVCU Board Directors. He is also Vice-Chair of the group exploring a merger among six partner credit unions. He is a past Chair of the Golden & District Community Foundation and serves as a Board member for the Insurance Council of BC. As a lawyer, he earned his QC designation in 1999. After over 40 years in law practice, he retired in 2017, Glen had time to give back. “I believe it is my duty and responsibility to use my background and expertise to better my community.” As a Director, he brings a lifelong commitment to credit unions that began with the University Community Credit Union when he attended law school at UBC. “Credit unions focus on keeping local money local and investing in our community. CVCU is a critical player in ensuring Golden and area continue to thrive.”

We would like to introduce another member of the CVCU family. Meet Lyle Johnson. When he is not serving as the Vice-Chair of the CVCU Board of Directors, he works at the mill, runs his own eavestrough and gutter business and takes advantage of the Valley by either hiking, paragliding or fishing. With so much on his plate, why has he served CVCU for nearly 17 years? “I am a strong believer in the cooperative nature of credit unions, and that cooperative spirit extends to our Board. We have many different minds and perspectives around the table. Everyone is community minded and it’s our mission to give back as much as we can – to our members and to causes big and small – while still running a successful financial services business.”

Meet Scott King. When he is not regenerating forests as a Silviculture Forester with Louisiana Pacific, or spending time outdoors with his wife and two children, he gives his time and expertise to Columbia Valley Credit Union. Scott has served as a Board Director for 8 years. “I’ve always been impressed with the opportunities our Credit Union brings to our members and our community. Our employees and management team work hard and are so dedicated. It’s easy to be a part of the Credit Union because it’s community helping community.”

Meet Scott Weir. Scott and his wife own Kicking Horse Janitorial. Scott also serves on the Board for the Golden Community Economic Development, is one of the founders of Golden Coop Radio, has a background in finance, helping to start the East and West Kootenay Community Investment Co-ops. “The credit union is an important institution in Golden, and your Board of Directors is focused on building the credit union and ensuring it thrives so it can do even more for our economy and community than it currently is. I am an advocate of credit unions, cooperatives and organizations that put money and capacity into local hands.”

Meet Paul Ricard. He’s been a member of CVCU for 60 years, has rich family history of community building, and is an avid golfer, ice fisherman and devoted grandfather. Paul is also the Chair of the Board of Directors for CVCU, drawing on his accounting background and previous board experience. “The Columbia Valley is very important to me. My ancestors played a significant role in the development of Golden and the Valley, and I want to continue that legacy. The credit union has a quiet but significant impact on the building of our community, so it is easy for me to give my time to the members of CVCU.”

Meet Rob Parker, the CEO of Columbia Valley Credit Union. Rob was appointed as CEO in 2021 for his proven track record of leadership at CVCU, his dedication to the credit union’s members and community, and his ideas and plans for the future. Rob has held progressive roles within the credit union for the past 20 years, with responsibilities for IT, marketing, commercial lending, compliance and finance. “I am very excited about continuing my journey with Columbia Valley Credit Union as CEO. I believe in the credit union and the cooperative principles we are founded on, and I feel fortunate to have found my place here.”