Volunteer of the Year More Than $500M Jon Kirssin Members 1st Federal Credit Union Enola, Pennsylvania Jon Kirssin has been a member of Members 1st Federal Credit Union his entire life. Carrying on the legacy of his father, who also served on the Members 1st Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, Kirssin joined the board in 2011 after previously serving on the supervisory committee. Kirssin was appointed chairman of the board of directors in April 2018 and has worked tirelessly on decisions that will ensure the longevity of Members 1st’s success ever since. Within Kirssin’s first year as chairman, Members 1st’s net income grew 15.4% and revenue grew 12.6%. Today, under Kirssin’s leadership, Members 1st holds an asset size of over $7 billion, has more than 540,000 members, and serves a ninecounty footprint. As chairman, Kirssin has made several notable changes to ensure board and leadership team cohesion. He modified board policies requiring board members to complete annual continuing education modules to further their credit union knowledge on policies and procedures. Because of this, board members are strongly encouraged to attend annual conferences to enhance their credit union knowledge and to network with fellow credit union board members from across the industry. Kirssin spearheaded the construction of Members 1st Federal Credit Union’s new administrative headquarters that opened in March 2022. Holding hundreds of the credit union’s back-office associates, the building brings all administrative associates under one roof to create increased collaboration and efficiencies for members—and it has an expense-neutral result. Under his leadership, Members 1st created an Associate Emergency Fund to provide financial assistance to associates in need. Through the program, each qualifying associate can receive up to $1,000 per emergency along with complimentary financial counseling should it be necessary. In addition, Kirssin was instrumental in the creation of an insurance credit union service organization to serve the credit union’s members. Kirssin brings a great deal of member feedback to the monthly board meetings for the team to discuss to ensure the credit union is protecting the safety and soundness of members’ dollars and he interacts regularly with the leadership team. He has been a champion for technological advances at Members 1st to ensure the organization stays relevant, meets the ever-changing needs of members, and fulfills its mission dutifully. 28 THE NAFCU JOURNAL September–October 2023
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