Employees Conference

As a part of the Carolinas credit union movement for over 42 years, Nick believes in the great power of credit unions working cooperatively.  In 2023 he became a credit union advisor offering education, strategic planning, management consulting and executive coaching to credit unions. His assistance specifically focuses on small credit unions and their unique challenges, and he offers his time and talents at no cost.

Nick previously served as the President & CEO of the Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union of Columbia, South Carolina, a role he held for over 28 years. During that time, Palmetto Citizens grew to a $1.35 billion credit union serving over 100,000 consumers. Prior to joining the credit union, Nick served as Vice President of League Operations for the South Carolina Credit Union League.

With the CUsTogether Conference, his goal is to promote education, leadership development and networking within credit unions.  He hopes to provide a venue to encourage professional growth and cooperation for credit unions across the Carolinas.  Nick is proud to recognize registration fees exceeding direct costs are donated to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, with participating credit unions and program leaders recognized as the contributors.  Since 2019, over $90,000 has been donated to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to fund its program offerings and to further its mission.
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In 2020 Nick became a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). The National Credit Union Foundation’s signature CUDE program helps established and emerging leaders in the credit union movement understand and leverage our unique business model to serve members and our communities in new and better ways.  Development Education is a process dedicated to understanding fundamental barriers that prevent the prosperity of people and communities across the globe.

Mr. Brehmer’s credit union career spans 45+ years with experience at both the retail and corporate side of the industry. Mr. Brehmer recently retired from his 30-year tenure as President/CEO of First Carolina and Vizo Financial Corporate CU. He currently serves as board chair for Latino Community CU in Durham, NC where he has served as a volunteer for 22 years. He also currently serves as vice-chair of the Carolinas CU Foundation. He has always immersed himself in the credit union movement having taken leadership positions on the board of US Central FCU, CU Business Group, and the Corporate CU Alliance. Prior to his transition to the corporate credit union system, he served as President/CEO of San Diego Postal CU and senior management positions at San Diego County CU and Torrey Pines FCU, as well as serving as President of the San Diego Chapter of the California CU League. He also served as President of Torrey Pines Federal, Inc., a CUSO that provided insurance and auto brokerage services. He has been a frequent speaker at credit union events and has facilitated numerous credit union planning sessions. Mr. Brehmer earned his Credit Union Development Educator certification in 2018 and was the recipient of the Charlie Clark Leadership Award from Western CUNA Management School in 1992. In 2014, he received an Individual Professional Achievement award from the Carolinas CU Foundation.

Since the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s founding in 1993, only a handful of individuals have served at the helm of leading this philanthropic organization. In late 2015, Lauren Whaley was hired to serve as the President of the Carolinas Foundation having most recently served as Vice President of Governmental Affairs in Raleigh, NC at the Carolinas Credit Union League. In her nearly eight years at the League, Lauren developed influential relationships with lawmakers and credit union officials while advocating for credit union business concerns as well as their unique focus on people and communities. Lauren was also instrumental in the growth of CUaware having served as a founding Board member while at the League. Lauren’s passion for the credit union industry started shortly after graduation from NC State University when she served as public relations and marketing coordinator for Truliant Federal Credit Union of Winston-Salem.

In her current role at the Carolinas Foundation, Lauren has expanded its focus in serving as a philanthropic partner to credit unions, business partners and Chapters in the Carolinas. Lauren currently serves as the Chair of the State Credit Union Foundation Network, comprised of her counterparts around the country at other state foundations as well as those at the National Credit Union Foundation and the Worldwide Credit Union Foundation. Lauren earned her Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation in 2019 and was recognized in 2023 with the Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues.

Currently – Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, CDC Federal Credit Union in Atlanta, Georgia with over $450M in assets and approximately 20,500 members. He oversees the investment portfolio, accounting, operations, lending, branches, marketing, and the member contact center.

Previously — Tim was a Sales Executive at CUNA Mutual Group that covered Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, serving 40 credit unions.

During his time at CUNA Mutual Group, he was also the General Manager for Sales and Distribution in the European Segment of CUNA Mutual’s International Division.  Tim lead the sales account teams in Europe, managed the Financial Services Programs, as well as third party relationships while based in Dublin, Ireland.

Prior to joining CUNA Mutual, Tim was the Financial Analyst for Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union in Washington, D.C.  He was responsible for the investment portfolio and preparation of the monthly financial statements.  Earlier, Tim was an investment analyst at Merrill Lynch while attending college.

Tim attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree in Finance, Upper Iowa University for a bachelor’s in accounting, has received an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago, and his Masters of Accountancy from the University of Michigan.

CDC Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and provides financial services to its members.

CUNA Mutual Group is headquartered at the Credit Union Center in Madison, Wisconsin, and provides insurance and financial services to credit unions and their members.

Betty Parker is a business owner, professional speaker, author, and trainer. She is a communications expert with more than 30 years’ experience presenting to audiences including work in radio after earning a degree in broadcast journalism from Louisiana State University (LSU), and in 2021, a masters in organizational development from Columbia College. Betty began her career as a sales professional and trainer in 1998 in the biotech industry. She started Sharper Development Solutions, Inc., a training and development company, in 2006.

Betty has educated thousands of leaders and staff across the country in a variety of performance areas like leadership, self-awareness, conflict management, teamwork, strategic planning, employee engagement, customer service, communications, diversity, equity, and inclusion and others. She is a highly sought out speaker for conferences. Betty is the author of Crushing Goliath: Winning Practices in Slaying GIANT People Problems (2021). She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a Certified Professional Coach. She is also an Authorized Partner with Wiley Publishing, the makers of Everything DiSC products.

Recognized as a Top Business Leader by Valiant CEO Magazine, named a Brainz Global 500 Award recipient, featured on The Today Show, ABC, the Global BV-TV Network, Beyond the Business Radio Show, and CEO World, Dr. Troy Hall is an award-winning talent retention consultant, international speaker, and multiple bestselling author.

As the founder of Cohesion Culture™, Dr. Troy has dedicated his career to establishing a cycle of culture wellness in the corporate and professional sphere. His consulting and executive coaching engagements are built on the strategic framework of Cohesion Culture™, making the concepts of belonging, value, and shared commitment easy for organizations to adopt and implement.

Ben-Jamin Toy works with elite clients spanning the globe, from well-known Fortune 500 companies to special ops forces representing five countries. He is the founder of On Purpose Adventures, a driving force in purposeful, unconventional, and effective team building for over a decade, and co-founder of Cohesion Culture™. A sought-after facilitator, consultant, and speaker, Toy continues to focus his heart, soul and substantial knowledge of culture wellness into each learning experience, promising a fun and engaging encounter with tangible results.

Having grown up on credit union Dum-Dums, it was no surprise when Allie found herself working for her first credit union in 2015. Her passion for building up others was quickly matched with the principles and philosophies of the Credit Union Movement, and Allie has been here ever since. Now, Allie works with the Carolinas Credit Union League to promote the CU Movement, support its relationships with credit unions, and provide development opportunities to the young and emerging leaders of the Carolinas. Allie is a wife, mom, and young professional herself, so she takes pride in her ability to advocate for the success of others.

Caleb has been happily married for 14 years and a father of two boys aged 10 and 3, cherishing family time and community involvement has lived in the Outerbanks of North Carolina for 17 years. A graduate of East Carolina University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Caleb begun his banking career at Wells Fargo, where he worked for two years. Then in 2010 joined the North Carolina State Employees Credit Union, where he has dedicated the past 14 years of his career. Starting as a teller, then progressing through roles as a loan officer and mortgage officer, eventually becoming an assistant branch manager. He now proudly serves as the branch manager in Columbia, NC. He is passionate about the credit union movement, and advocates for the benefits they provide to all communities. He enjoys contributing to the community and educating others about financial wellness

Dustin has been an advocate for the credit union movement since joining REV in 2005. In his current role as Public Relations Manager, Dustin is first and foremost a Brand Ambassador that is passionate about enhancing internal culture, empowering team members, and sharing the success stories of the exceptional outcomes REV creates in the communities it serves.

As an active member of the business community, Dustin previously served as the 2-time Chair of Charleston Young Professionals, Member of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and just completed a 3-year term on the CUNA Young Professionals Steering Committee. 

In his spare time, Dustin enjoys photography, fitness, traveling, and actively works with law enforcement agencies across the Carolinas to develop community oriented policing strategies, recruitment campaigns, and social media content.

Chris Peterkin, MPA  is a Senior Account Manager with Coastal Credit Union out of Raleigh NC. Chris has been in the credit union industry for over 10 years. He has worked in the branch level as well as back office as a lending compliance analyst. He graduated from UNC Pembroke in 2013 with a degree in Communications then in 2018 he graduated from Strayer University with a masters in public administration.  He is a believer in giving back. Chris has a passion for serving his community. From going to schools presenting financial literacy presentations to county and state agencies providing financial information. He has served on various boards at his undergrad alma mater Alumni Association. (UNC-Pembroke). He currently serves on the UNCP Foundation Board, He is a member of the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy (WYMLA) Business Alliance Board (Raleigh, NC) and is currently an ambassador with the Credit Union Emerging Leaders Council in connection with the Carolinas Credit Union League. Chris also plays the drums for his church. He believes that if you have benefited from receiving good, that you should double the portion and give back

Carrie began her career in 2016 with South Carolina Federal where she was first introduced to the Credit Union Movement and “People Helping People” Philosophy. Dedication to embracing these values and strengthening her skillsets resulted in Carrie’s swift advancement and promotion to her dream role as Training Specialist within the Learning Center in 2019.

Carrie’s passion for learning, development, and volunteerism forged her servant leader mentality resulting in personal growth and professional achievements which she uses to empower others. Carrie became a certified facilitator of Integrity Solution’s: The Member Advantage program in which she instills credit union values, communication, and listening skills in her participants. She was nominated by her leadership to participate in a three-year High Potential Employee development program, serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, was selected as South Carolina Federal’s Protégé in 2022 and 2023, and volunteers with her credit union’s Foundation Committee as Promotions Specialist.  

Carrie also is active in the movement beyond her credit union as she likes to engage in local chapter meetings, enjoys networking at League events, is an Ambassador of the CUxEL network, and participated in the Carolinas Credit Union League Mentorship Program. After attending last year’s Principals and Philosophy Conference where she learned about Credit Union History, our founding figures, the Cooperative Principles, and 12 Developmental Issues, Carrie left motivated to do even more to meet the needs of her community. Inspired by the CUDEs who led the conference, Carrie searched for opportunities to further her education and excitedly applied for a scholarship to attend CUDE Training. Carrie was honored as one of five scholarship recipients by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and is now eagerly waiting to attend the transformative, weeklong session and earn her designation by learning more about the Developmental Issues and how she can help others achieve financial freedom.

Autumn works as a Business Development Officer at Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union. Her passion is community engagement and financial education. Autumn currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Cooperative Council of North Carolina and is proud to be a CUDE class of June 2023 (best class ever)! 

Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union was originally formed to meet the financial needs of telecommunications workers in North and South Carolina. Our expanded membership charter gives all persons within our service areas the opportunity to apply for credit union membership.