Our April guest is Ryan Cash, Chief Experience Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union in beautiful Santa Cruz California. With over two decades of industry experience at the intersection of lending, operations, and member experience Ryan has played a key role in evolving how the organization serves its members in an increasingly digital world. He talks about his role, which is relatively new in the industry, and the responsibility he has to deliver on the promises made to Bay FCU's members. Ryan shares his thoughts about the looming death of branches, or lack thereof, and how member engagement requirements have increased in ways that often include branches. High-tech has become high-touch in banking, leading to critical new processes and technologies at Bay FCU. Interesting insights abound in our conversation with Ryan - listen in!

Interviewers: Shonna Shearson and Nate Burns

Producers: Ryan Kane and Steve Schmidle

Supporting cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, Ryan Olsen, and James Wileman

George San Martin serves as the President & CEO of Novo Credit Union, and as our guest this month. A graduate of our most recent WCMS class, George has served in the industry for multiple decades and volunteers for multiple industry and community organizations. Novo CU is a relatively small CU ($20 million), but making a big impact in their community. George, relatively new in the position, initially focused on assessing the capabilities, experiences, and strategy of the organization. With his first strategic planning session George and the team decided to refocus their efforts on the greatest financial needs of its members, leading to a new loan product aimed at the unique costs associated with employees of their primary sponsor. George goes on to cover other topics including: wearing multiple hats as CEO, merger considerations, expansion opportunities, and the impact of WCMS on his career. His insights provide a unique view on the challenges and opportunities that smaller CU's face every day, as well as ideas and inspirations for CU professionals of all asset sizes. Listen in!

Interviewers: Nate Burns and Ryan Kane

Producers: Steve Schmidle and Ryan Kane

Supporting Cast: Shonna Shearson, Robert York, James Wiseman, Jeff Morris, and Original Ryan Olsen

We are going behind the WCMS curtain today to hear from the school's two new administrative team members, Bonnie Clapp and Cory McDaniel. Bonnie's day job is as a Business Analyst for iQ Credit Union in Vancouver, WA, but also volunteers as the Director of Operational Support for WCMS. Cory, a long-time CU leader, now works for SWIVEL (a subsidiary of SWBC) as its SVP of Business Strategy while volunteering as Director of Campus Activities at WCMS. They have both been able to leverage their student and GA experience to support Brandi Gleason and Dr. Mike Steinberger in the planning and running of the school each Summer. Today Bonnie and Cory share their view on how the industry is evolving, and what the school and curriculum is doing to keep up. They go on to provide a glimpse into how the sausage is made, how this small team pulls off the annual school session, and what has surprised them along the way. It may seem effortless to the students, but behind the scenes this team is hustling to keep the experience and culture alive! Listen in for a new perspective on the the school we all love!

Interviewers: Nate Burns and Shonna Shearson

Producers: Ryan Kane and Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, Ryan Olsen, and James Wileman.

We are kicking off 2026 with a distinguished WCMS alumni, one of only a few to have graduated from the program with Highest Honors. Ben Greiving serves as General Counsel & Chief of Staff at Canvas Credit Union in Colorado where he not only leads the CU's legal, compliance, and policy functions but also strategic planning and advocacy. Ben shares his views regarding the strategic importance legal professionals can play within credit unions, preparing the organization for the challenges and opportunities that laws and regulations may provide. He also covers his advocacy responsibilities while providing a great overview of the philosophies CU leaders tend to use when it comes to the topic of mergers. Looking to learn a lawyer's take on our industry's future? Listen in and learn from one of the best!

Interviewers: Shonna Shearson & Steve Schmidle

Producers: Ryan Kane & Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Nate Burns, Robert York, Ryan Olsen, Jeff Morris, and James Wileman.

The Frogcast is finishing 2025 strong with someone who's name has been in credit union news a lot lately. Scott Simpson, recently appointed President/CEO of America's Credit Unions, joins us to speak about how he plans to lead the CU movement in the future. Scott's experience within the industry is vast, within a number of states and associations. However, his new responsibilities will require him to cover credit unions nationwide. The messaging is the same, and our antagonists are the same, as are the regulatory pressures - so it is more of a function of scale. Scott shares the unique pressures of advocacy in our industry and how it changes day to day, providing a few recent examples along the way. He goes on to offer his thoughts and optimism for the opportunities CU's will have in the coming years. Listen in for an aspirational discussion and gain a new perspective for the efforts that occur in Washington DC on our behalf.

Interviewers: Shonna Shearson and Nate Burns

Producers: Ryan Kane and Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, James Wileman, and Ryan Olsen

Our November guest is Justin Martin, CEO of TAPCO Credit Union in Tacoma, Washington. Justin has served in this role for four years, but had previously served the industry in various executive roles including CHRO, Chief Marketing Officer, and COO. In his current role, Justin has led the credit union using four strategic pillars - culture, digital, community impact, and data centricity. During this competitive and challenging environment TAPCO believes it all starts with a culture of belonging. This spans their business model both internally and externally, from their employees to their members. He also shares how his background in the training and people area has helped him align people around a common objective and empower them to move forward together. Listen in to hear how Justin and TAPCO's strategy leverages culture to deliver upon their other three pillars.

Interviewers: Shonna Shearson and Nate Burns

Producers: Ryan Kane and Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Jeff Morris, Robert York, James Wileman, and Ryan Olsen.

This month we are joined by Michael Nagl, President and CEO for Centennial Lending, LLC. As a CUSO, which is a company owned by credit unions and for credit unions and its members, Centennial Lending provides an important strategic partnership to the industry. Michael's career journey to credit unions was a "long, strange trip", going from bar/restaurant management, to golf pro, to the industry we all love. WCMS, of course, was an experience that became a turning point in his journey. Listen in if you want to learn more about this history of CUSO's, how they work today, and where they are going in the future!

Interviewers: Shonna Shearson & Nate Burns

Producers: Ryan Kane & Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Robert York, James Wileman, Jeff Morris, and Original Ryan Olsen

This month's guest is an icon of the credit union movement. With a career spanning four decades, Gene Pelham has proven himself an impactful leader across the movement and within the halls of WCMS. His 2022 retirement as CEO of Rogue Credit Union has not ended his impact at all. Gene continues to serve credit unions with a special focus on helping smaller CU's thrive in this difficult environment. His impact at WCMS, since graduating in 1995, is also notable. Upon graduating he was chosen by his classmates as the Charles M. Clark Award recipient at graduation, served on the WCMS Board of Trustees, and was recently awarded the Likens Award by the WCMS Alumni Association. During our conversation today Gene shares with us his approach to leadership and learning, and the importance of continuously building new capabilities within your organization. Listen in and learn from one of the best!

Interviewers: Nate Burns and Shonna Shearson

Producers: Ryan Kane and Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Robert York, Original Ryan Olsen, Jeff Morris, and James Wileman

We are fortunate to have Erin Estelle, Chief Marketing Officer at Valley Strong Credit Union, join us on the Frogcast this month. As a former collegiate and professional athlete, and with a previous career in Retail, Erin has some interesting viewpoints and valuable insights about the credit union movement. Among many things, she shares with us today her leadership of Valley Strong's impressive financial literacy initiative. Covering all aspects of financial wellness, for all stages of members, the CU is making an impact with this effort... and receiving recognition for it. Case in point, Valley Strong received a Diamond Award for their creative approach to youth financial education. Erin graduated from WCMS this year and shares with us why she decided to attend as a senior leader who is new to our industry. Listen in and learn how she, and Valley Strong, aligned and prioritized their work with a heart for impact!

Interviewers: Nate Burns & Shonna Shearson

Producers: Ryan Kane & Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, Original Ryan Olsen, and James Wileman

Today we have a double-hitter as both Darin Woinarowicz and Stefanie Villalobos joining the Frogcast. Darin serves as the President & CEO at Arrowhead CU, and Stefanie as the AVP of Philanthropy & Community Impact with the CU. The Alumni Association has asked them to join us because of their leadership of the ArrowHeart Foundation. Stefanie simultaneously serves as the Foundation's Executive Director and Darin its founder. The ArrowHeart Foundation is an organization intent on helping those Arrowhead neighbors that need it the most. Purposefully working under the radar, the Foundation does everything from awarding higher education scholarships, providing the homeless with items from their closing closet and pantry, and supporting community partners with the same philanthropic aim. Give the episode a listen to learn additional details and hear some inspirational stories about the Foundation's founding.

Interviewers: Shonna Shearson & Nate Burns

Producers: Ryan Kane & Steve Schmidle

Supporting Cast: Robert York, Ryan Olsen, James Wileman, and Jeff Morris