FORT KENT, Maine — Over the course of 2019, Acadia Federal Credit Union has been working toward aligning and developing its core management team as part of an institution-wide reorganization. Part of the reorganization includes putting greater emphasis on building relationships with staff, members, and the communities Acadia serves, which has resulted in the creation of new positions.
One of the newly-created positions that was developed during year-long strategic planning sessions is that of training manager. Sheila Ouellette, who had been branch manager in Madawaska for nearly four years, was promoted to this role.
Having been with Acadia FCU for nearly 15 years, Ouellette has worked in many different capacities, including teller, member service representative, head teller, and branch manager. This varied experience helped develop Ouellette into a versatile, well-rounded employee who was perfectly-suited for the position of training manager. She will work closely with the rest of the management team to maximize the skills and abilities of all employees.
“I’m super excited about my new position as training manager for Acadia,” said Ouellette. “This new position is going to be a game-changer that will benefit our membership and staff immensely. Thorough and regular, ongoing training will give our staff all the tools they need serve our members in a more effectual way.”
Ouellette’s promotion resulted in a vacancy at the Madawaska branch of Acadia FCU. Julie Hayes, who was branch manager for St. Agatha, applied for and was hired as branch manager for Madawaska. Hayes has over nine years of front line, lending, and management experience with Acadia FCU.
“I’m looking forward to serving our Madawaska-area members in this new chapter of my career with Acadia FCU,” said Hayes. “I will certainly miss working daily with the wonderful staff and members in St. Agatha.”
Hayes’s lateral move into the larger Madawaska branch created an opening at the credit union’s St. Agatha location. Continually looking to develop staff and promote from within, Acadia FCU promoted indirect loan officer, Patty Michaud — a seasoned credit union veteran — to the position of St. Agatha branch manager.
“I am thrilled to accept the position of branch manager,” said Michaud. “I have 30 years of experience here in St. Agatha and am honored to continue serving our community. I look forward to assisting our members in any way while also helping our financial institution grow.”
Hayes and Michaud’s positions will include supervising overall branch operations while maintaining established credit union policies and procedures. Each will oversee member development, plus member and lending services, while also underwriting consumer loans.
“I’m pleased that these long-term employees have risen to the challenge to accept different roles within the credit union,” said Acadia FCU President/CEO David Desjardins.
“I’m also delighted that we were able to promote from within the ranks of our current employee base. Acadia strives to develop its employees and prepare them for larger roles with more responsibilities,” said Desjardins. “We want our employees to have a career with Acadia—not just a job—and we feel we can accomplish that by promoting from within whenever possible.”
