Happening at GAC: Thurman and Robinson Inducted into Hall of Leaders

Posted by Lynn Heider on March 2, 2025

2025 Inductees into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders

The 2025 national Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. kicked off on Sunday, March 2 with the best of traditions: honoring the credit union icons who were selected for induction into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders. Known as the “epicenter of advocacy,” the Credit Union House’s Hall of Leaders honors those who have made long-term, positive impacts on the Credit Union Movement.

The GoWest region’s 2025 inductees were Dan Thurman, CEO of Frontier Credit Union in Idaho Falls, ID, and Teri Robinson, CEO of Ironworkers USA Credit Union, Portland, Ore. Here are their amazing stories:

Dan Thurman

Dan Thurman

Dan Thurman began his Credit Union Movement career in 2005, while he was working his way through college, but the journey that shaped who he is as a leader began years earlier.

At the age of 15, Dan’s family moved to Salmon, Idaho, where he joined the Varsity Wrestling team. That year, the underconfident young student surprised himself by qualifying for the state tournament. He boarded the bus and noticed his coaches had brought suit coats with them – to wear, they said – when he would wrestle in the state championship match. Dan didn’t make it to the final match that year, but he exceeded his goals in the tournament and never forgot the difference a little bit of encouragement from his coaches made in his life.

Today, he tells credit union leaders to “pack your suit coats so your team members can see their full potential.” He brings that advice to life every day in his role as CEO at Frontier Credit Union. Dan became CEO five years ago, right around the time the credit union was recognized as the “Best Place to Work in Idaho.” He realized quickly that the culture there was “something special” and has worked with the team to keep building on it. It’s a place where there are no coats and ties; employees wear jeans, and they’re all in – all in for member service and all invited to be advocates, from the front lines where he began his own career to the executive level. Frontier has an internal Governmental Affairs Committee and regularly hosts town hall meetings and other events that welcome candidates and local leaders into the credit union.

A selfless advocate, Dan uses his voice on behalf of not only Frontier but on behalf of all credit unions. He’s a fixture at state and federal-level advocacy events and has built trusting relationships with elected officials. Dan contributes thought leadership to the GoWest Board of Directors and as a member of the Idaho Governmental Affairs Committee. For his successful efforts to help advance credit union advocacy, Dan received the GoWest Credit Union Association’s Summit Advocate Award in 2024.

On Dan’s watch, assets at Frontier have doubled to more than $662 million. Frontier now serves 48,586 members and the communities they call home.

“His belief in the power of community engagement has inspired the entire Frontier team to strive for excellence in all that they do,” said a statement on Frontier’s website.

For Dan, it all goes back to empowering the team.

“Having a leader who believes in you and helps you see your true potential is an absolute superpower,” he wrote in a recent article.

Dan is a super leader, and it would be fitting that as policymakers step into the Credit Union House, Dan is there, in the Hall of Leaders who made this movement what it is today, and built a foundation that will carry it into a bold new future

Teri Robinson

Teri Robinson with GoWest President & CEO Troy Stang

When Teri Robinson took the reins at Ironworkers Credit Union in 2009, the Great Recession was at its peak. Members were hurting financially. The credit union was on the brink, and the regulators were at the ready to take over. There was under $480 million in capital, the team hadn’t had raises in three years, and loan growth was at negative 2.87 percent. Many would have predicted a disaster and run for the hills, but Teri saw incredible potential and leaned into it. She cut expenses, created a net worth restoration plan and found opportunities through financial education to help more members stand up their finances and qualify for loans.

By the numbers, the results have been remarkable. Loan growth has averaged 23.92 percent for almost a decade now. Membership has doubled. Assets have grown from $10 million to over $115 million. But for Teri, it’s about so much more than numbers. It’s all about making membership in a cooperative credit union available to everyone. To do that, Teri saw an opportunity to meet members where they are by expanding to a national charter. Now ironworkers across the country can join and be part of Ironworkers USA Federal Credit Union.

It takes more than financial genius to achieve the things Teri and her team have achieved – it also takes heart. They’ve helped thousands of members avoid the pitfalls of predatory loans. She’s helped them grow their credit scores, save more money, and qualify for home loans. Teri and her team often sit down with members to talk through their real-life problems such as divorce or addiction and help them chart a journey to financial and personal well-being.

It may be that personal touch members appreciate most; Teri’s office is filled with thank you cards and testimonials from members who walked with their credit union through adversity and now stand on their own feet financially.

Teri is an icon in the Credit Union Movement, and a catalyst for improving her members’ lives.

Posted in Advocacy, Idaho, Leadership, Oregon.