2024 Board of Directors Election and Annual Meeting
The results of Member voting will be announced at the 2024 annual meeting which will be held:
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 3:00 pm
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Reid Park | Ballroom
445 S. Alvernon Way | Tucson, AZ 85711
We’ll also be hosting a Membership Fair at 2:00 pm (prior to the meeting), where representatives from different departments will be available to answer your questions and discuss their latest initiatives and programs. More details to come.
Advanced RSVP required! Registration link coming soon. During the annual meeting, no votes will be cast and no call for nominations from the floor will be made for these seats.
ELECTION INFORMATION
We are pleased to announce that all eligible Members as of April 15, 2024, will be invited to have a voice in the future of Vantage West during our upcoming election.
Three board seats are up for regular election. The Nominating Committee has announced their three nominees, listed in alphabetical order by last name. Personal statements from each nominee are provided below.
Robert E. “Bob” Logan
Manny Lucero
Kara Riley
There were no nominations by petition. To ensure all eligible Members are given the opportunity to cast a ballot, regardless of where they live or work, this year’s election will again be primarily held online. We have selected Survey and Ballot Systems to administer this process.
IMPORTANT ELECTION DETAILS
Eligible Members will be invited to cast a ballot in one of three ways between May 15 and June 22, 2024:
- For eligible Members who are actively enrolled in online banking: You will have an option to link directly to your ballot once you have successfully logged in to online banking.
- For eligible Members with an email address on file: Survey and Ballot Systems will send an email to the email address we have on file for you on May 15 with a link and a unique PIN that you may use to participate in the online election.
- For eligible Members who have not opted to receive eStatements and are not actively enrolled in online banking: You must request a paper ballot before June 7 by 5pm. Request a paper ballot using one of these methods:
- By filling out a form.
- By visiting any Vantage West branch
- By calling our Member Solutions Center at 800.888.7882
Regardless of the voting method you choose, each eligible Member will only be permitted one vote.
DEADLINE TO CAST YOUR BALLOT
Members who choose to vote online must submit their ballot online no later than 11:59 pm Tucson, Arizona time on June 22, 2024, for it to be counted. Paper ballots from those Members who requested one must be received at the address that will be specified in the ballot materials no later than 11:59 pm Tucson, Arizona time on June 22, 2024, for it to be counted. Survey and Ballot Systems will conduct all ballot counting activities.
Whether you choose to vote online or request a paper ballot, we hope you will add your voice as a Member-Owner during this year’s election!
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR – PERSONAL STATEMENTS
Robert E. “Bob” Logan
I will never forget in 1968, holding unto my father’s hand as an 11-year-old as we walked into the Vantage West CU (formerly DM Federal CU) to open up my very first credit union account. My father was a 28-year Air Force veteran, and he taught me the value of saving for the future. Now, here we are 56 years later, and I am honored to be considered to serve for another 3-year term on the Vantage West CU board of directors. Clearly, my relationship with Vantage West has come full circle.
I attended and/or received degrees from the US Air Force Academy and Northern Arizona University. I spent the early years of my career in high school education and coaching, and later on received my Master of Business Administration from the UA Eller College of Management. I spent a few years in corporate management for AT&T and then was hired for a 33+ year career at the University of Arizona. My career at the UA was quite broad, as a football coach (we beat ASU all three years!), as an Associate Athletics Director, and as an Assistant Dean for the College of Science. Since my retirement in 2019, I formed Find Your Path, LLC, a motivational speaking and consulting firm.
As for the community, I have been heavily invested in making Tucson a better place. I have either volunteered, served on the board or been president of the following organizations: DM50, Salpointe Catholic HS, Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona, YMCA, Rotary Club of Tucson, Father’s Day Council, Special Olympics, and others. Vantage West cares about the Tucson community and I have the very same values.
I am totally committed to Vantage West and the credit union movement, completed nearly three years on the board of directors. I have served on the Risk & Finance subcommittee and been active in increasing the visibility of Vantage West in the Tucson community. I work closely with the CEO and the Executive Coalition along with my fellow board members. You should be proud of the strong board Vantage West has to represent you. It would be an honor and a privilege to continue to represent the members of Vantage West and I thank you in advance for your consideration.
Manny Lucero
I am a Phoenix native and proud graduate of Arizona State University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in business management from the W. P. Carey School of Business. It is an honor serving and representing the members of Vantage West Credit Union throughout the state of Arizona.
I am the founder and CEO of Lucero Consulting Group (LCG), a firm providing small business and nonprofit consulting services, marketing services, and event planning services to clients from around the country. Additionally, I teach a wide variety of courses on topics including starting a business/nonprofit, marketing, accounting, HR, access to capital/fundraising, networking, and storytelling, and much more. I have a passion for helping individuals and organizations, from all backgrounds, build sustainability and impact in their communities. In addition to pursuing the best financial services for our members and providing my knowledge on business continuity, marketing, hiring/retention, and strategic planning, I am dedicated to growing our continued efforts in supporting our small business members.
Previously, I served in various development capacities for Arizona nonprofits and worked in the financial services industry. I served as the Deputy Director for the Arizona Women’s Business Center and also worked with the Veterans Business Center, having secured funding for entrepreneurs being released from the justice system.
I was appointed to the National Small Business Association Leadership Council in 2023 and served three terms on the City of Phoenix City Development Block Grant (CDBG) Board of Directors and on various education and diversity and inclusion focused Boards for local organizations and universities in the past. Additionally, I served as an adjunct faculty member teaching small business/entrepreneurship and HR courses for the Maricopa Community College District for three years.
As a returning Director, currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of the Risk and Finance Committee, I am eager to continue building on the momentum of the Credit Union. If re-elected, I look forward to actively working with the Board, CEO and Executive Coalition to pursue innovative financial services, ensuring DEI efforts, and committing to member safety and financial soundness.
Kara Riley
I am honored to once again be nominated for the Vantage West Board of Directors and am asking for your vote. I was raised internationally, where my father believed in teaching people how to grow food with their natural resources. This allowed me to live in Abu Dhabi, Taiwan and in Sudan, Africa. I began my career in public safety in 1992 where I have loved serving the citizens of Arizona.
I attended and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and I went on to complete my master’s degree in education with an emphasis in counseling, from the University of Phoenix in 1995. As I progressed through my career, I was fortunate enough to attend the Northwestern Police Staff and Command school in 2012 and the FBI National Academy in 2015.
I am currently the President of the Oro Valley Optimist Club which focuses on raising funds for youth in the community. I am also a huge supporter of the Special Olympics and have spent my entire career raising funds for Special Olympics in Pima County and the entire state. I also participate in many fundraising events for Project Graduation, which allows our youth to be safe on one of the most dangerous nights, graduation night.
It is a privilege to be part of the Vantage West Board of Directors and to serve on a member-owned institution. It is critical for you to know that I focus on the mission of Vantage West every time I attend a meeting or event, and always serving with integrity and professionalism.
