Member Spotlight: Jeff Johnson

September 23, 2011 | COMMENTS

Jeff Johnson is senior vice president and CIO for BCU in Vernon Hills, Illinois. After graduating from college in the mid-1980s Jeff worked for three nationally recognized non-financial services firms before landing in the world of credit unions in 1997.

“The change was refreshing and I have every intention of staying in this industry,” he says.

Jeff has held a variety of positions in technology over the years—his most enjoyable being within BCU and the credit union community. He and his wife have three children and live in the Chicago area.

Biggest challenge

Turning lemons into lemonade—despite the terrible economic meltdown of the past few years, credit unions are in a great position to add new members and grow. We need to be faster and
smarter to win.

Best advice

Be humble and seek feedback, both positive and negative—don't take it personally, but learn from it.

Greatest benefit of Council membership

Networking with peers and having the springboard that provides for further collaboration. One of the greatest advantages we have is our ability to collaborate and learn from each other. We need to harness that to much greater advantage.

Best part of my job

The constant change and challenge that comes with that change.

Hardest part of my job

As things change, so do IT staffing models. It is hardest when people have to leave the organization.

Success story

We've had great feedback from our members on RDC and our mobile offerings. Also, our checking accounts have taken off in the past six months. NPS is a great way to measure member satisfaction.

Biggest misconception about my job

Many people outside of IT think the CIO plays with technology all day. A good CIO spends the majority of the time figuring how to meet business objectives through the application of
technology.

Hobbies and interests

I bike year-round in the north suburbs of Chicago and target 10,000 miles per year. Try that in the snow!! I’m always interested in the latest micro-brew. With three teenagers, I attend lots of kids sporting events (baseball, football, volleyball, water polo, basketball, wrestling, and lacrosse).

Recent book

Mostly I read books when I travel and they are off the bestseller rack at the airport. For work it is Bank 2.0.

Life goals not yet achieved

On the personal side, seeing my kids make it into adulthood and being better than me. On the professional side, making an impact that outlives my career.

Favorite quote

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” (Abraham Lincoln).

If I could spend a day with anybody it would be . . .

A full day with my family with no outside distractions.

How I would explain the credit union difference to a potential new member

We provide similar products as a bank only better rates, better service, fewer fees, cooler technology, and same federal guarantee on deposits.

> Connect with Jeff on CUNA Councils Connect