White Eagle Credit Union Welcomes New President and CEO

Augusta, KS – The Board of Directors has chosen Eric Brown as President and Chief Executive Officer of White Eagle Credit Union (WECU), starting Monday, May 23, 2022. The Board followed the succession plan to ensure an orderly process for executive leadership transition. WECU’s Board of Directors are elected by membership and give their time and experience to ensure the organization meets the needs of its members and the community.

“Eric excelled among a very strong pool of candidates and has demonstrated a solid vision for the future of WECU,” said Ron Reavis, Board Chair. Ron continued, “Over the past five months, the Search Committee and Board worked to find someone that would meet the current and future needs of White Eagle Credit Union. I am proud to say that White Eagle Credit Union’s reputation of changing lives and lifting communities through financial wellness and involvement inspired so many wonderfully gifted people to apply to lead our organization.”

Eric is an accomplished senior executive who brings more than 23 years of experience, growth, and leadership in the financial services industry. Eric has served as Senior Vice President – Branch Delivery with Emprise Bank and Vice President – Sales and Service with Meritrust Credit Union.

Today looks quite a bit different than it did 23 years ago. Eric explains, “Then, it was locations, locations, locations. Convenience of those locations was vital, being able to meet your member where they were shopping, living, or driving by. We did not have smartphones back then or the branch right in our pockets. Branches are important and will always have a key role in our Credit Union. However, meeting the member where they are now includes the branch that sits on their phone. So, continuing to evolve that channel and its capabilities while remaining safe and secure will be important for continued growth.”

Leadership

Eric’s passion and leadership style are centered on people helping people and neighbors helping neighbors. When asked why he chose WECU, Eric stated “When people can grow personally and professionally at the same time, they can achieve exponential growth. WECU’s employees have terrific tenure. What excites me about this, is our ability to grow together. When our employees are growing, our membership benefits from that and will grow as well.”

Community Service

Community service is a key part of what makes White Eagle CU. “When it comes to community service it goes beyond sponsorships and donations. These are just a couple of ways we can help support our communities. But beyond that, connecting with your community and having your community connect with WECU is about volunteering. It is about getting our hands dirty right next to the other people doing the work” Eric explains.

Goals

Eric’s main goal is with every person he meets or encounters that their day should be better. Whether it is a simple smile, a light-hearted laugh together, a cup of coffee or a financial product that can make your financial life better.

Eric lives in Augusta, KS with his wife Tricia. They have three sons – Easton, Ericson, and Emmett where they live by their passion as a family of people helping people. “When we bow our heads to pray at dinner, the one phrase we always pray is “help us be blessings to others”. For those of you that we have been fortunate enough to know, I hope you have felt that in one way or another. For those of you we have yet to meet, we very much look forward to it.”

Eric currently serves on the AHS CTE Advisory Committee and University of Kansas Advisory Council and has been involved in Augusta Youth Basketball, Football, Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Augusta Inc (currently known as GoAugusta!). Eric studied and graduated from Butler Community College, Emporia State University, Stonier Graduation School of Banking and received a Certificate of Leadership from the Wharton School at Penn.

Incoming WECU President and CEO Eric Brown officially assumes his duties on May 23, 2022. White Eagle Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving those in Butler County and the surrounding counties/communities.  White Eagle has three convenient branch locations in Augusta, El Dorado and Newton.  Currently, White Eagle Credit Union serves more than 14,000 members with assets exceeding 140 million. For 87 years White Eagle Credit Union has been serving its members and communities. Nothing has changed. They are Here to serve YOU today.

White Eagle CU will be hosting Open Houses at each branch during the months of June and July. Please follow us on social media and visit us online at WhiteEagleCU.com for dates and times.