WCMS Alumni Frogcast

Hosted by WCMSAA

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May 2026

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About the show

Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) is a 3 year educational/training program created to give credit union leaders a deep dive into the purpose and mission of operating a cooperative business model. The Frogcast was created to continue our unique WCMS education, to deepen our connection to the school, each other, and the credit union industry, and maybe spark a memory or two from our time on campus at Pomona College. In this podcast we interview the faculty and alumni of the school on the challenges and opportunities we face. Come along as we jump into a conversation of head and heart!

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60 recent

May 30, 202618 min

Episode 59 - Nate Burns (May 2026)

My, how the tables have turned! Our guest this month is none other than our own Nate Burns, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at TruStage. To make it even better, we have the WCMS legend Nancy Wood filling his spot as interviewer! Nate, a graduate of the Iota class of 2011, provides a unique perspective as someone who supports many $1 billion+ CU's every day. He shares with us the insights he has gained working with these CU Executives, covering subjects from CEO recruitment and succession planning to scenario planning and industry sustainability. An ambassador of WCMS, and credit unions, Nate also weaves in the stories and spirit of this industry that we love.PS. Hang on until the end for some great outtakes and bloopers!Interviewers: Nancy Wood and Shonna ShearsonProducers: Ryan Kane and Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, James Wileman, and Original Ryan Olsen

April 28, 202622 min

Episode 58 - Ryan Cash (April 2026)

Our April guest is Ryan Cash, Chief Experience Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union in beautiful Santa Cruz California. With over two decades of industry experience at the intersection of lending, operations, and member experience Ryan has played a key role in evolving how the organization serves its members in an increasingly digital world. He talks about his role, which is relatively new in the industry, and the responsibility he has to deliver on the promises made to Bay FCU's members. Ryan shares his thoughts about the looming death of branches, or lack thereof, and how member engagement requirements have increased in ways that often include branches. High-tech has become high-touch in banking, leading to critical new processes and technologies at Bay FCU. Interesting insights abound in our conversation with Ryan - listen in!Interviewers: Shonna Shearson and Nate BurnsProducers: Ryan Kane and Steve SchmidleSupporting cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, Ryan Olsen, and James Wileman

March 30, 2026Episode 5717 min

Episode 57 - George San Martin (March 2026)

George San Martin serves as the President & CEO of Novo Credit Union, and as our guest this month. A graduate of our most recent WCMS class, George has served in the industry for multiple decades and volunteers for multiple industry and community organizations. Novo CU is a relatively small CU ($20 million), but making a big impact in their community. George, relatively new in the position, initially focused on assessing the capabilities, experiences, and strategy of the organization. With his first strategic planning session George and the team decided to refocus their efforts on the greatest financial needs of its members, leading to a new loan product aimed at the unique costs associated with employees of their primary sponsor. George goes on to cover other topics including: wearing multiple hats as CEO, merger considerations, expansion opportunities, and the impact of WCMS on his career. His insights provide a unique view on the challenges and opportunities that smaller CU's face every day, as well as ideas and inspirations for CU professionals of all asset sizes. Listen in!Interviewers: Nate Burns and Ryan KaneProducers: Steve Schmidle and Ryan KaneSupporting Cast: Shonna Shearson, Robert York, James Wiseman, Jeff Morris, and Original Ryan Olsen

February 27, 2026Episode 5624 min

Episode 56 - Bonnie Clapp and Cory McDaniel (February 2026)

We are going behind the WCMS curtain today to hear from the school's two new administrative team members, Bonnie Clapp and Cory McDaniel. Bonnie's day job is as a Business Analyst for iQ Credit Union in Vancouver, WA, but also volunteers as the Director of Operational Support for WCMS. Cory, a long-time CU leader, now works for SWIVEL (a subsidiary of SWBC) as its SVP of Business Strategy while volunteering as Director of Campus Activities at WCMS. They have both been able to leverage their student and GA experience to support Brandi Gleason and Dr. Mike Steinberger in the planning and running of the school each Summer. Today Bonnie and Cory share their view on how the industry is evolving, and what the school and curriculum is doing to keep up. They go on to provide a glimpse into how the sausage is made, how this small team pulls off the annual school session, and what has surprised them along the way. It may seem effortless to the students, but behind the scenes this team is hustling to keep the experience and culture alive! Listen in for a new perspective on the the school we all love!Interviewers: Nate Burns and Shonna ShearsonProducers: Ryan Kane and Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, Ryan Olsen, and James Wileman.

January 26, 202622 min

Episode 55 - Ben Greiving (January 2026)

We are kicking off 2026 with a distinguished WCMS alumni, one of only a few to have graduated from the program with Highest Honors. Ben Greiving serves as General Counsel & Chief of Staff at Canvas Credit Union in Colorado where he not only leads the CU's legal, compliance, and policy functions but also strategic planning and advocacy. Ben shares his views regarding the strategic importance legal professionals can play within credit unions, preparing the organization for the challenges and opportunities that laws and regulations may provide. He also covers his advocacy responsibilities while providing a great overview of the philosophies CU leaders tend to use when it comes to the topic of mergers. Looking to learn a lawyer's take on our industry's future? Listen in and learn from one of the best!Interviewers: Shonna Shearson & Steve SchmidleProducers: Ryan Kane & Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Nate Burns, Robert York, Ryan Olsen, Jeff Morris, and James Wileman.

December 12, 2025Episode 5424 min

Episode 54 - Scott Simpson (December 2025)

The Frogcast is finishing 2025 strong with someone who's name has been in credit union news a lot lately. Scott Simpson, recently appointed President/CEO of America's Credit Unions, joins us to speak about how he plans to lead the CU movement in the future. Scott's experience within the industry is vast, within a number of states and associations. However, his new responsibilities will require him to cover credit unions nationwide. The messaging is the same, and our antagonists are the same, as are the regulatory pressures - so it is more of a function of scale. Scott shares the unique pressures of advocacy in our industry and how it changes day to day, providing a few recent examples along the way. He goes on to offer his thoughts and optimism for the opportunities CU's will have in the coming years. Listen in for an aspirational discussion and gain a new perspective for the efforts that occur in Washington DC on our behalf.Interviewers: Shonna Shearson and Nate BurnsProducers: Ryan Kane and Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, James Wileman, and Ryan Olsen

November 24, 2025Episode 5321 min

Episode 53 - Justin Martin (November 2025)

Our November guest is Justin Martin, CEO of TAPCO Credit Union in Tacoma, Washington. Justin has served in this role for four years, but had previously served the industry in various executive roles including CHRO, Chief Marketing Officer, and COO. In his current role, Justin has led the credit union using four strategic pillars - culture, digital, community impact, and data centricity. During this competitive and challenging environment TAPCO believes it all starts with a culture of belonging. This spans their business model both internally and externally, from their employees to their members. He also shares how his background in the training and people area has helped him align people around a common objective and empower them to move forward together. Listen in to hear how Justin and TAPCO's strategy leverages culture to deliver upon their other three pillars. Interviewers: Shonna Shearson and Nate BurnsProducers: Ryan Kane and Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Jeff Morris, Robert York, James Wileman, and Ryan Olsen.

October 27, 2025Episode 5223 min

Episode 52 - Michael Nagl (October 2025)

This month we are joined by Michael Nagl, President and CEO for Centennial Lending, LLC. As a CUSO, which is a company owned by credit unions and for credit unions and its members, Centennial Lending provides an important strategic partnership to the industry. Michael's career journey to credit unions was a "long, strange trip", going from bar/restaurant management, to golf pro, to the industry we all love. WCMS, of course, was an experience that became a turning point in his journey. Listen in if you want to learn more about this history of CUSO's, how they work today, and where they are going in the future!Interviewers: Shonna Shearson & Nate BurnsProducers: Ryan Kane & Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Robert York, James Wileman, Jeff Morris, and Original Ryan Olsen

September 26, 2025Episode 5117 min

Episode 51 - Gene Pelham (September 2025)

This month's guest is an icon of the credit union movement. With a career spanning four decades, Gene Pelham has proven himself an impactful leader across the movement and within the halls of WCMS. His 2022 retirement as CEO of Rogue Credit Union has not ended his impact at all. Gene continues to serve credit unions with a special focus on helping smaller CU's thrive in this difficult environment. His impact at WCMS, since graduating in 1995, is also notable. Upon graduating he was chosen by his classmates as the Charles M. Clark Award recipient at graduation, served on the WCMS Board of Trustees, and was recently awarded the Likens Award by the WCMS Alumni Association. During our conversation today Gene shares with us his approach to leadership and learning, and the importance of continuously building new capabilities within your organization. Listen in and learn from one of the best!Interviewers: Nate Burns and Shonna ShearsonProducers: Ryan Kane and Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Robert York, Original Ryan Olsen, Jeff Morris, and James Wileman

September 2, 2025Episode 5020 min

Episode 50 - Erin Estelle (August 2025)

We are fortunate to have Erin Estelle, Chief Marketing Officer at Valley Strong Credit Union, join us on the Frogcast this month. As a former collegiate and professional athlete, and with a previous career in Retail, Erin has some interesting viewpoints and valuable insights about the credit union movement. Among many things, she shares with us today her leadership of Valley Strong's impressive financial literacy initiative. Covering all aspects of financial wellness, for all stages of members, the CU is making an impact with this effort... and receiving recognition for it. Case in point, Valley Strong received a Diamond Award for their creative approach to youth financial education. Erin graduated from WCMS this year and shares with us why she decided to attend as a senior leader who is new to our industry. Listen in and learn how she, and Valley Strong, aligned and prioritized their work with a heart for impact!Interviewers: Nate Burns & Shonna ShearsonProducers: Ryan Kane & Steve SchmidleSupporting Cast: Robert York, Jeff Morris, Original Ryan Olsen, and James Wileman