Introduction

The 2024 annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 and available to view on our website by Saturday, March 30, 2024.

Below are the candidates running:

Board of Directors
David Rainwater
Thomas Pettus-Czar
Mark Neary

Supervisory Committee
Bryson Bristol
Robert Erick

Board Members

David Rainwater

Years of Credit Union Membership – 14 years 

Education 

• Postdoctoral studies – Washington State University, Pullman, WA 

• Ph.D., Cellular and Molecular Biology – University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 

• BA, Biology – Chapman College, Orange, CA 

Work Experience 

• Research scientist, biochemical/statistical research on genetics of heart disease 

• Post-Doctoral, Staff Scientist; Assistant Scientist; Associate Scientist; Scientist, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (Texas Biomedical Research Institute), San Antonio, TX (>125 scientific papers published) 

Credit Union Service 

• Board of Directors 

• Executive Committee 

Community Service 

• Member Institutional Review Board, University of Oregon 

• Oregon Money Management Program 

Candidate Statement to the Membership 

1. WHAT WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE BOARD AND CREDIT UNION? 
   Although my working life was spent doing scientific research, one of my passions has been the credit union movement, so I bring a unique perspective to the Board.  I have served on the Boards of Directors for three different credit unions during the past 20 years and have attained multiple certifications aimed at improving my ability to contribute to the Board. 

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE BOARD? 
   I have been a credit union member for over 40 years, most recently of Northwest Community Credit Union, which merged into TwinStar Credit Union in 2023. I hope to leverage my long-term interest in financial matters and unique perspective to the benefit of the members, the staff, and the communities in which we live. 

Thomas Pettus-Czar

Years of Credit Union Membership – 8 years 

Education 

• BA Psychology – University of Oregon 

• BA Art History – University of Kansas 

Work Experience 

• Owner, Temporary Wall Systems Willamette Valley 

• CSO, Syndicate Media Group 

• Founder/Owner, Farmers Union Coffee Roasters 

• Founder/Owner, The Barn Light 

Credit Union Service 

• Board of Directors 

• Executive Committee 

Candidate Statement to the Membership 

1. WHAT WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE BOARD AND CREDIT UNION? 
   I will contribute experience, honesty, hard work, and accountability. As a younger Director, I approach problems differently, thinking outside the box. I care deeply about what is fair and what is best for our membership and our employees. As a small business owner, I contribute a unique perspective that I'm determined to use in ways that help us grow and develop smartly to create opportunities for others. 

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE BOARD? 
   During my experience as a Director serving Northwest Community Credit Union for over five years now, I care deeply about the credit union movement and our organization — its membership and employees — and more so now that we've merged with TwinStar and all of that is growing. There is very important work to be done to ensure we do the best job possible to see this through to success and beyond. 

Mark Neary

Years of Credit Union Membership – 10 years 

Education 

• BS Business Administration/CPA – Oregon State University 

Work Experience 

• Mason County Administrator 

• Chief of Staff/Assistant Secretary of State, Office of the Secretary of State 

• Deputy Secretary of State, Office of the Secretary of State 

• Director of Central Services, Thurston County 

• Financial Services Division Manager, Thurston County Auditor’s Office 

• Internal Auditor, Thurston County Auditor’s Office 

• Utility Accounting Manager, City of Auburn 

• Assistant Regional Audit Manager, Washington State Auditor's Office 

Credit Union Service 

• Board of Directors 

• Executive Committee 

• Associate Board Member 

• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Committee 

• Administrative Committee 

• Governance Committee 

Community Service 

• American Institute of CPAs, Member 

Candidate Statement to the Membership 

1. WHAT WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE BOARD AND CREDIT UNION? 
   I possess the understanding of the financial risks facing the credit union as well as the different factors that are involved in evaluating financial based decisions brought before the Board.  I have a broad range of accounting experience in a regulatory environment and managing large operations with an emphasis in human resources and information technology.  I am a good collaborator and add value to the robust discussions on topics facing the credit union. 

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE BOARD? 
   I enjoy giving back to the community in which I live and work. I feel this opportunity allows me to participate in an organization that shares a similar vision and values I have personally. I add value to the Board. 

Supervisory Committee

Bryson Bristol

Years of Credit Union Membership – 3 years 

Education 

• BS Accounting; minor in Business Administration – Western Washington University 

Work Experience 

• Performance Auditor, Washington State Auditor’s Office 

• Program Manager, Washington State Auditor’s Office 

• Audit Manager, Washington State Auditor’s Office 

• Assistant State Auditor, Washington State Auditor’s Office 

• Forest Service Botanist Assistant/Intern, US Forest Service 

Credit Union Service 

• Supervisory Committee 

Community Service 

• First Tee Golf Coach, Tumwater, WA 

• Park Stewardship Program, Olympia, WA 

• Elementary School Volunteer 

Candidate Statement to the Membership 

1. WHAT WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE AND CREDIT UNION? 
   I would contribute over 15 years of dedicated auditing field experience, frequently analyzing financial statements, assessing internal controls, and ensuring regulatory compliance. I’m skilled at interpreting complex financial information and understanding implications on an organization.  These skills are directly applicable to the Supervisory Committee’s role of ensuring regulatory/financial reporting compliance and protecting the assets and financial interests of our members. 

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE? 
   Serving on the Supervisory Committee lets me support TwinStar’s vital role of providing financial stability to members. My auditing and financial oversight experience aligns perfectly with the requirements of this role, making me well-equipped to be an effective committee member. 

Robert Erick

Years of Credit Union Membership – 5 years 

Education 

• Masters in Data Analytics – Georgia Tech (in progress) 

• BS in Computer Science – Oregon State University 

• BS in Accounting – Oregon State University 

Work Experience 

• Senior Financial Analyst, The Pape Group Inc. 

• Various accounting roles, University of Oregon Foundation 

• Staff Accountant, City of Springfield 

Credit Union Service 

• Supervisory Committee 

Candidate Statement to the Membership 

1. WHAT WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE AND CREDIT UNION? 
   I will contribute my financial expertise, diligently review materials, and attend meetings to ensure external and internal audits are satisfactory and the results are used to inform the establishment and maintenance of internal controls. 

2. WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE? 
   The Supervisory Committee has an important role in helping to ensure the oversight of the credit union, mitigation of risk, and general financial stewardship. With this in mind, I feel a desire and commitment to further the credit union's success by being a careful and attentive member of the Supervisory Committee.