Getting to know our members: Nuvision CEO Roger Ballard takes questions from Alaska members at virtual town hall

As a credit union focused on helping members build their lives, our team places a high value on the relationships we form. That’s why our CEO, Roger Ballard, wanted to make himself personally available to every member in Alaska with a question, concern, or comment. Earlier this month, he spent part a Tuesday afternoon recording from the Financial Center Branch in Anchorage, sharing his vision with members and taking questions over Zoom at a virtual town hall meeting.

“We’re not your typical suit and tie bank,” he told members on the call. “We’re really focused on the hard-working people in the communities we serve.”

Finally uniting under one Nuvision name after three years has made this month busy, but also extremely rewarding. It brought to mind something Roger repeatedly emphasized: the central mission Denali and Nuvision have always shared.

Decades of serving hardworking members in several states

No matter where they live, our members can look back on a multi-generation history of their credit union supporting the dreams of everyday, hardworking people.

Denali was founded in 1948 as a credit union for Anchorage employees, eventually growing to serve railroad workers and others. Nuvision was founded in 1935 to serve the workers at Douglas Aircraft and has been growing ever since. Both have always had members at the center of their mission.

Roger reminded members that this will always remain our goal.

“As good as we think we are at serving your needs, we know we can always get better. We’re always in the listening and learning mode,” he said.

Even as the signs have changed in the transition to Nuvision Alaska, the service, staff, and dedication to meeting member needs is stronger than ever.

“I am fortunate to work with over 500 team members who are dedicated to serving the needs of our members--200 are based in Alaska. We’re on the same team, regardless of where you work from,” Roger said.

“We’re committed to finding ways to make an impact at the local level, wherever we are.”

For three years, we’ve been investing in local Alaska communities. Roger emphasized that commitment and shared some of the highlights of the past few months, including:

• NuvisionCares – Early last year, we delivered meals to healthcare workers working on the front lines. By partnering with restaurants hit hard by the pandemic, we were also able to support local business.
• Fighting food insecurity – Last month, we launched a GoFundMe account and opened up our branches for food drop offs. We raised $6,000 for the community, and Nuvision will be adding $7,000 more. The money and food will go towards helping a variety of local food pantries, including Children’s Lunchbox in Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks student pantry, Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, Mat-Su Food Bank, and Helping Hands in Juneau.
• Honoring first responders and veterans – This September on the 20^th anniversary of 9/11, we brought 400 meals to Anchorage firefighters. For Veterans Day, we distributed free gas cards to veterans at our branches and hosted veterans’ lunches at the American Legion Jack Henry Post 1 and the Anchorage Senior Center.

What’s next? Expect Nuvision to continue investing in Alaska—and in you!

“Alaska makes up 40% of our branches and members,” Roger said. “It is extremely influential, and we are committed to serving and being rooted here.”

“I’m here in Alaska frequently,” he said. “I have a place in Eagle River.”

We’ve already been investing in Alaska for the past three years. Most recently, we broke ground on a new branch in Wasilla. Partnering with local contractors, we’re introducing ITMs, more convenient benefits, and modernized facilities and products.

We will always be present whenever there is a need for financial services. Roger himself, as he mentioned in the town hall, will often be in Alaska too. He emphasized how much he loves visiting, telling members that he looks forward to meeting them in person.