This week, Wauna Credit Union will experience a major change. It’s not a new branch, or the latest technology, on Friday, March 25th our Internal Auditor Randy Brackman will “punch out” for the very last time!
After 28 years (yes, TWENTY EIGHT years!) at Wauna Credit Union, Randy will hand the reigns over to new Internal Auditor Rachel Kamaunu, and head out into the sunset for a life of leisure spent with family, and traveling – including perhaps a trip to England!
The Wonderful World Of Wauna caught up with both Randy and Rachel to find out more about both of them, the passing of the torch, and what exactly an Internal Auditor does. Today, we are talking to Randy, and on Monday, we’ll post our interview with Rachel.
So, what exactly does an internal auditor do?
Randy: The Internal Auditor is unique in that he or she has two different direct supervisors to report to; Robert Blumberg, CEO/President of the Credit Union and the Supervisory Committee Chair, which oversees the members of the Supervisory Committee. The role of the Internal Auditor is to be the “eyes and ears” of both supervisors to ensure the internal controls of the Credit Union are up-to-date and being followed by the staff. This is accomplished by conducting a series of audit exams annually to test the internal controls in place. Finally the Internal Auditor acts as the liaison for the Credit Union during the NCUA annual examination and the Outside Auditing Firms annual audit.
What was Wauna Credit Union like back in 1988?
Randy: There were four branches in operation (Clatskanie, Astoria, Warrenton and Westport). I was hired to develop a Collection Department and work on lowering a delinquency ratio of over 4 percent. Technology was more a blimp in the future. The Collection Department (me) received the first desktop computer and printer. The rest of the branches had large terminals at each station, connected to each other by cable. If a terminal went down the rest of the line also stopped working. Pulling reports were cumbersome and took hours to complete. Month-end reports generally meant the IT Department would spend the entire weekend in the Clatskanie branch, and resting on cots, while waiting on the reports to be completed.
You’ve seen some big changes then?
Randy: If I had to list all that Wauna Credit Union done and accomplished over the past 28 years it would take several pages. The Credit Union has done a phenomenal job of working on the growth of the membership base. In doing so, the asset size has blossomed to nearly $200 million in assets, and there appears to be no decline in sight. Technology became extremely valuable as a tool to keep the Credit Union on pace with or ahead of the other credit unions in our field of membership.
How have you changed over the years??
Randy: I’m sure I have gone through changes over the past 28 years. When I started, delegation was not in my vocabulary. I have learned to delegate projects more frequently and not lose sleep over each decision. I find that I listen more before making a decision at work. My work ethic has never changed. I give a 110 percent to the Credit Union and have the utmost respect for the management supervisors I have reported to during the years.
How does it feel to hand the reins of this position over after so many years?
Randy: I am at peace with my decision to retire. I have always been a firm believer if I did the work assigned to me to the best of my ability, with the good of the Credit Union fully in the forefront, then I am happy and I have gained the respect of management. It was always my desire to go out on my terms and that is why I requested my retirement date to be the same month and day that I was hired. . . March 28.
What are you planning to do with your new found freedom? World travels? Gentleman of leisure?
Randy: I’m sure there will be a “honey-do” list created for me before I know it. I will be retained by the Credit Union to do consulting work on an as needed basis. Much of my time will be spent with the family. Traveling will probably include trips to Southern Oregon; Washington DC, and possibly England.
Good Luck Randy! We are all going to miss you around here!