January is a time for resolutions to better yourself. Wauna Credit Union got better by the hiring of all our employees celebrating anniversaries in January.
If you want to be one of the people celebrating next year, check out our careers page.
Waunaversary Celebrants
Jen Katon – 5 years
What is your current position?
I am the Executive Assistant to the CEO. I work directly with the CEO as well the other Chiefs and the Board of Directors., and get to make a difference to local high-schoolers by chairing the Scholarship Committee. When I am not completing administrative tasks I have fun planning Wauna’s events and retreats. I have also been fortunate enough to lead our Corporate sponsored charities fundraisers for local back pack programs for the last four years. I am proud to say that we have raised $59,581 for Charity since I started here in 2014.
What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Before I came to work for Wauna I didn’t know the Credit Union Philosophy. I absolutely love the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” and am so honored to get to be a part of helping people in our local communities.
If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I have many hobbies including, crafting, photography, crocheting, reading, sign making, scrapbooking, but I have been considering taking up hiking. Both of my kids do cross country and they make it sound so fun that I would like to do it with them. If time and money wasn’t an obstacle traveling the world would be what I would choose. I love to learn new things about other cultures and places. If I could travel to other countries and get to do charity work while I was there that would be a dream come true for me.
Dave Freeman – 1 year
What is your current position?
I’m a member of our IT team. My official title is IT Support Technician, which basically means I help our staff to provide our members with excellent personal service. That’s anything from making sure all of our financial tools are online to replacing an old computer. While members almost never see me, I’m constantly working in the back office to keep our systems online and working smoothly.
What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
It’s the commitment to staying true to our Core Values. Many companies will tell you about how “we’re a family” and “we strive to help the community”, but here those aren’t just empty words. That really impresses me. I grew up in the area, but was living in Nevada. I was on a steam train in the middle of the desert, and one of my friends from back home let me know the credit union was hiring, and I applied immediately, and that community involvement was a big reason why.
If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I’m an enthusiastic amateur photographer and history buff, and I’d like to spend more time doing that. I love the PNW and it’s rich history and amazing scenery. I left Oregon about 15 years ago, but came back home about a year and a half ago and have come to realize exactly how much I missed this part of the country.
Jeff Kratka – 1 year
What is your current position?
I’m an IT Support Technician. I’m based out of Westport, but I go from Astoria to Vernonia to support all Wauna employees with any computer and technical aspects of their daily duties to help with making their job easier and more efficient.
What is something that working at WCU has taught you?
Wauna has taught me how working with a family can be enjoyable again. Not just being a number but a person.
If you could choose one new hobby what would it be?
I just took up SCUBA Diving. It’s something I have always enjoyed. I have been snorkeling many times but not SCUBA.
Others
- Pam Weller
- Randy Buholts
- Serena Schlosser
- Trevor Shelby
- Amanda Heikkila