Mary Beth Wilcher began her Erie FCU career as the receptionist at the East 38th Street office in 1987 and was appointed CEO of the Erie Federal Credit Union in 2010. She is an Erie native graduating from East High School and Mercyhurst University.

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy having the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of our members by listening to what's important to them and their families. We take a genuine interest in our members by looking at their relationships with us such as how long they've been a member and what needs they have that we can fulfill. We look for ways to structure their finances in a way that when they walk out of the branch, they're in a better financial situation than when they walked in.

You held many roles before becoming CEO. Which one was your favorite?

Working as a loan officer was challenging and rewarding. I had to put myself in the members' shoes to better focus on their unique needs to help them reach their financial goals.

How do you and your leadership team at the credit union get involved in the community?

We strive to be an active and supportive corporate neighbor. I encourage our leadership team to either serve on a board or volunteer for a local 501(c)(3). As a result, many of our employees have followed their lead and are doing the same by volunteering in the community.

I currently serve on the volunteer board of directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation, and the Hamot Health Foundation. I see the impact of what we're collectively doing and I never want to look back and say, “I had a chance to make a difference and I didn't take it.”

What do you like about being CEO of Erie Federal Credit Union?

I like working with people and trying to educate them to a higher level of understanding through mentoring the value of exceptional member service. For example; treating members with respect, regardless of their circumstances, creates amazing relationships that flourish and ultimately nurture new relationships. All of this comes together in the form of growth for the membership and for the credit union. Sometimes moving the needle, be it ever so little, makes all the difference in the world.

Why did you decide to stay and do business in Erie?

Being a lifelong Erie resident and working for the Erie FCU for over 17 years, gives me great cause to stay true to the Erie community. The credit union recently acquired the former Glenwood Elementary School with plans to convert it to a new Corporate and Branch facility by the end of 2014. We're very excited about the Glenwood project. We see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to create work space that fits our unique culture. The location is central to Erie and providing a full service branch in that area will be a welcome addition to our existing branch structure.Mary Beth Wilcher began her Erie FCU career as the receptionist at the East 38th Street office in 1987 and was appointed CEO of the Erie Federal Credit Union in 2010. She is an Erie native graduating from East High School and Mercyhurst University.

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy having the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of our members by listening to what's important to them and their families. We take a genuine interest in our members by looking at their relationships with us such as how long they've been a member and what needs they have that we can fulfill. We look for ways to structure their finances in a way that when they walk out of the branch, they're in a better financial situation than when they walked in.

You held many roles before becoming CEO. Which one was your favorite?

Working as a loan officer was challenging and rewarding. I had to put myself in the members' shoes to better focus on their unique needs to help them reach their financial goals.

How do you and your leadership team at the credit union get involved in the community?

We strive to be an active and supportive corporate neighbor. I encourage our leadership team to either serve on a board or volunteer for a local 501(c)(3). As a result, many of our employees have followed their lead and are doing the same by volunteering in the community.

I currently serve on the volunteer board of directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation, and the Hamot Health Foundation. I see the impact of what we're collectively doing and I never want to look back and say, “I had a chance to make a difference and I didn't take it.”

What do you like about being CEO of Erie Federal Credit Union?

I like working with people and trying to educate them to a higher level of understanding through mentoring the value of exceptional member service. For example; treating members with respect, regardless of their circumstances, creates amazing relationships that flourish and ultimately nurture new relationships. All of this comes together in the form of growth for the membership and for the credit union. Sometimes moving the needle, be it ever so little, makes all the difference in the world.

Why did you decide to stay and do business in Erie?

Being a lifelong Erie resident and working for the Erie FCU for over 17 years, gives me great cause to stay true to the Erie community. The credit union recently acquired the former Glenwood Elementary School with plans to convert it to a new Corporate and Branch facility by the end of 2014. We're very excited about the Glenwood project. We see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity to create work space that fits our unique culture. The location is central to Erie and providing a full service branch in that area will be a welcome addition to our existing branch structure.