Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Great Basin Federal Credit Union.
Jennifer Denoo: We are a local member-owned financial institution. We were formed in 1951 by phone company employees and are now serve the entire Washoe County community. We have 40 dedicated employees who work very hard to deliver exceptional service and value to our community and membership. What most people are unaware of about a credit union is that we are member-owned. That means our goals and vision must be centered on serving those who have accounts with us, unlike a bank whose main goal might be to serve its stockholders. We are a not-for-profit cooperative, so all income or capital must be returned to our members through low loan rates, higher dividends on savings and a low-fee structure. We have a volunteer board of directors who are our members and elected by members. The only benefit they get from our success is to help our members achieve their financial dreams, not multi-million dollar bonuses for themselves.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Denoo: I oversee all branch and loan operations.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Denoo: My dad told me how important it was to be a credit union member (as opposed to a bank customer), so I opened my checking account at the age of 16. Every time I went in to do a transaction all the employees seemed like they enjoyed their job and each other and I felt like I needed to be a part of it. After some thought, I realized that they also got weekends and holidays off, too! That was a bonus. So, when I turned 18 years old I applied for a part-time job. They called me back for an interview the same day and I was hired!
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Denoo: A nurse. I love helping others. I did not get into that profession because I started at the credit union and fell in love, and still am in love.
NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office?
Denoo: With my husband of 12 years and three amazing kids.
NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation memory?
Denoo: We had a lot of great theme park vacations, but my favorite was always camping at Donner Lake.
NNBW: Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable?
Denoo: Eat dinner together as a family each night and talk about your days together. Also, I learned how to manage my finances responsibly and independently.
NNBW: What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with, and why?
Denoo: Michelle Duggar ("19 Kids and Counting"). I admire her patience and outlook on life. I would love parenting tips too!
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Denoo: Make a personal investment in people. The dividend is invaluable.
NNBW: What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
Denoo: I love helping people enrich their lives by empowering them with financial knowledge. I least like that I see so many suffering financially due to job loss.
NNBW: What is the one thing you most want people to remember about you?
Denoo: That I had integrity and that I was a great mom, wife and friend.
The basics:
Name: Jennifer Denoo, Great Basin Federal Credit Union, vice president/chief operations officer.
How long have you been in this job? 16 years
How long in the profession? 16 years
Education: High school diploma
Best book you've read? "Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons"
What's on your iPod? Over 1,000 songs ranging from Brad Paisley to Kid Rock to Snoop Dog and John Denver
Do you have a nickname? If no, have you ever? "The Dragon"
