Steve Rick is the chief economist for America's Credit Unions Mutual Group. He is an economic researcher, analyst and forecaster with an expertise in consumer markets and the credit union industry. Rick’s forecasts are the starting point for the strategic planning process and help create a clear understanding of the underlying trends and links between the general economy, the financial services industry, and America's Credit Unions Mutual Group’s policy owners. Rick was previously the senior economist for America's Credit Unions’s Economics & Statistics Department for 22 years. In addition to his work at America's Credit Unions Mutual Group, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Wisconsin Credit Union (UWCU), a $3.2 billion financial institution. The owner of a B.S. in Finance and a B.S, an M/S and a Ph.D in Economics, Rick shares his fiscal and economic expertise as a senior lecturer with the Economics Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the facilitator/instructor of America's Credit Unions Management School’s Stanford Bank Game.

Laura Vann has more than 30 years experience working with not-for-profit organizations in member relations, business development, communications, training, and fund-raising positions. Currently, Laura serves as Vice President, Shared Branching, CU Service Centers of Alabama. In this role, she facilitates cooperation among Alabama credit unions in the design, development, and operation of shared branching; functions as the chief operating officer in the management of shared branching activities; develops and executes strategies to increase the number of credit union members with access to shared branching; and conducts training on CO-OP Shared Branching network policies and procedures. Laura previously served as the VP, Membership Relations for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions.

She is a graduate of The University of Alabama at Birmingham with a major in English and a minor in communications. Laura completed the National Credit Union Foundation’s Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) program in 2012 and is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor.

Patrick is beginning his 43rd year with the credit union movement and has worked for St. Louis Community Credit Union for the past 32 years. Patrick was appointed CEO/President of St. Louis Community Credit Union in January, 2008. His efforts today focus exclusively on the strategic direction of SLCCU.

The credit union has witnessed substantial growth while maintaining high levels of financial strength. They currently maintain the highest level of name recognition/brand awareness among St. Louis city residents. St. Louis Community Credit Union has 60,000 plus members and is one of the most active Community Development Financial Institutions in the country. SLCCU focuses on serving the stressed and distressed communities of St. Louis City and near County. The credit union employs 190 people, 90% of which reside in those same stressed and distressed communities. With the credit union’s 17th branch, SLCCU has an office within two miles of 98% of the St. Louis City population.

Patrick has spoken worldwide with companies for over 25 years. Based on your mood, Patrick is either motivating or aggravating. His presentations are informative and urge people to have the “ah-ha” moments that lead to success.

Patrick has a beautiful wife, four grown kids and five beautiful grandkids.

Marcus King is the Vice President for CU Audit and Compliance Group for Leverage. He has his Undergraduate Degree for Freed Hardeman University and recently graduated with his Masters of Business Administration from Freed Hardeman University. Marcus has been auditing Credit Unions since 2013 and is certified as a Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist. He is currently sitting for his CPA License and hopes to complete that in 2020. In his spare time, Marcus is an avid New England Patriots fan and enjoys playing golf, tennis, and spending time with his wife and three doodles.