Member Spotlight: David Rutenber

CUNA Councils
February 22, 2007

David Rutenber is vice president of information systems for Sidney Federal Credit Union in Sidney, New York. Born and raised in Sidney, he has worked in the financial industry for 26 years, the last 21 of those at the credit union. While working full time he also earned an AAS degree in accounting via night courses. David and his wife Beverly live in Sidney and have two children.

Biggest challenge

Trying to stay on task with our "heaping plate" of IT-related projects within the credit union, along with data security and BCP.

Best advice received

A supervisor encouraged me to enroll in some college accounting courses. This directed my career path from banking to the credit union industry.

Greatest benefit of Council membership

Networking, exchanging ideas, online discussions for resolutions to similar problems/issues, resources available to assist with job responsibilities, as well as for career development and growth.

Best part of my job

Researching and reviewing latest technologies and software, finding ways to improve service to our members, and enhancing the tools our employees have to make their jobs more effective and efficient.

Hardest part of my job

Keeping abreast to all of the changes in the industry—technology, regulations, compliance, security—and prioritizing each one into our implementation plans and budgets.

Hobbies and interests

Playing volleyball, watching children's sporting events, doing decorating/home improvement projects around our home.

People would be most surprised to learn that . . .

During high school I studied automotive mechanics, my first job being a mechanic at a local garage.

Recent book

John Grisham's The Broker.

Life goal not yet accomplished

Senior-level position or CEO at a credit union. Also traveling to visit a foreign exchange student we hosted from Thailand for four months during 2003-2004 school year.

Something that always makes me laugh

A good, clean, safe, practical joke!

If I had an extra hour in the day . . .

I’d find a way to spend it doing something fun with the family.