Staff

Gerry Singleton brings extensive experience and passion for the credit union movement into his role as MCU President/CEO of Montana’s Credit Unions. Gerry plans and directs the financial, operating, and human resources for the Montana Credit Union League, MCUCD, and the League Service Group. He also serves as the chair of the MCUL Group Benefits Trust and oversees its operation. Under Gerry’s leadership, MCU will remain highly effective in delivering quality advocacy, programs, and services across the state.

Previously to joining Montana’s Credit Unions, Gerry spent almost 25 years as the VP-Credit Union System Relations at CUNA Mutual Group, working closely alongside leagues, CUNA, and other key system partners to build a thriving credit union system. During his time in the credit union movement, he has served on various national boards and advisory groups, including the National Credit Union Foundation and, the CUNA Mutual Foundation boards as well as the CUFinHealth Fund Advisory Board, and as an active Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), with designations for CaribDE, Africa DE, and iCUDE.

Gerry is a long-time resident of Belgrade, Montana, who loves spending time with his family, hiking, and connecting to his community.

Listen to the Meet Gerry podcast episode.

As the Office Manager/Bookkeeper, April Bogy manages the daily operations and functions of Montana’s Credit Unions. April focuses her time on maintaining budgets, financial data, inventory management, and compliance reporting.

April loves to travel with her husband and four kids. Going exploring and seeing new places is always an adventure April is willing to take. Most days you will find her relaxing at home with her dogs (5) and cats (3), cooking a homemade meal, or racing across the great state of Montana to make every sporting event for her kids.

Listen to the Meet April podcast episode

Renee Lyman, CUDE, has been with Montana’s Credit Unions for almost 20 years. She provides support in both the Education and Training Department and League Service Group by promoting education events, distance learning, and business partnerships and sponsorships. She’s involved in a lot of the behind-the-scenes details and planning for MCU events.

In her free time, Renee spends a lot of time around the state sitting in bleachers cheering at her daughter’s sporting events and is a season ticket holder for MSU Bobcats football games. Some day she hopes to spend more time on Montana’s lakes and rivers, camping and fishing; but, until then, she enjoys traveling with her husband, two teenage kids, and their dog Yeti.

Listen to the Meet Renee podcast episode.

Kelsey has worked in the credit union industry for almost a year with her first role as the program and events coordinator at the Credit Union Association of New Mexico. As the education and events manager at Montana’s Credit Unions, she will manage and assist the education department with various conferences and events to support credit unions around the state.

Kelsey grew up in Illinois and has lived in California but is currently based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She loves to travel and has a goal of visiting all 50 states and other places around the world. In her free time, she loves to attend concerts, listen to new music, and run. On Sundays, Kelsey is dedicated to lying on the couch and cheering on Da Bears!

Listen to the Meet Kelsey podcast episode.

Donya Parrish has been at MCU supporting credit unions across Montana since 2002 and has earned both her Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist (BSACS) designations. She focuses on training and assisting credit union staff and boards on compliance, fraud, and regulatory issues as well as producing relevant resources to assist in their daily compliance efforts. As the author of the weekly A Direct Line blog for credit union board and supervisory committee members, she actively searches for resources to support credit union volunteers in their roles. She also coordinates the compliance officer, fraud, internal audit and lending peer communities, and the TruStage relationship.

As a University of Montana grad, she is a passionate Griz football fan and loves to take in baseball games when she travels. In her spare time, Donya helps her husband with his small business, spends time camping and enjoying exploring Montana, and spoils her two spaniels. Her daughter and son are both grown and live in Montana.

Listen to the Meet Donya podcast episode.

Mara K. Rayner, CUDE, manages the day-to-day operations of the Montana Credit Union League Group Benefits Trust and provides additional HR services, including facilitating the HR Community. She graduated from the 2017 April DE class (BEST CLASS EVER!) and believes wholeheartedly in the DE program. She coordinates with the Giant Springs Chapter to bring her DE project Garage Sale for Good to life annually.

In her free time, Mara loves spending time with family and friends doing anything outdoors — hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, beautifying her yard, and so much more. Glacier National Park is her favorite place to visit in Montana, and since she’s from Minnesota, she acts as a Glacier tour guide for MN friends and family several times each year.

Listen to the Meet Mara podcast episode.

Beth Satre, CUDE, functions as the data hub at Montana’s Credit Unions. She oversees MCU’s data collection and the technical side of the website. If you want to subscribe to one of our publications, would like access to MCU’s website, or have a question about grammar (or Adobe software), give her a call.

In her free time, Beth hangs out with her family and friends, volunteers for various non-profits, and works on her photography and design skills. She loves the outdoors, often has her nose in a book, and is always ready to engage in a good conversation about credit unions, cooperatives, or, well, just about anything.

Listen to the Meet Beth podcast episode.

As the Communications Director, Michelle Skinner is responsible for the creation of content and integration of multiple marketing platforms to spread the credit union movement via digital and print communications and media relations. She’s also the liaison for the CU4Kids and CU Voices communities and raises funds for MCUCD and CU4Kids.

Michelle spends her spare time chasing two daughters around their registered Angus ranch in Hall, MT, with her husband, hanging out with her flock of show sheep to capture content for TikTok and Instagram, and reading everything from ancient European history and urban fantasy to FinTech entrepreneurs and, of course, marketing trends.

Listen to the Meet Michelle podcast episode.

As the VP of Advocacy, Karen Smith focuses her time supporting the advocacy work of Montana’s credit unions in political, philosophical, and philanthropic areas. Karen has been with Montana’s Credit Unions since 2003 and is a designated Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE).

Karen loves spending time with her family, whether cheering on her daughter at sports events or exploring Montana’s scenic roads as a passenger on her husband’s Harley. Her ideal days are filled with camping adventures and relaxing afternoons on the river.

Listen to the Meet Karen podcast episode.

Ranel Smith, CMP, CMM, CUDE, supports Montana’s credit unions with education-related assistance, putting on up to 10 conferences and educational events throughout Montana every year. In addition, she assists the Minnesota Credit Union Network, the New Mexico Credit Union Association, and the Montana Tavern Association with their education event planning. Ranel obtained her Certified Meeting Professional designation in 2013 through the Convention and Industry Council and her Certified Meeting Management designation with Meeting Planners International in 2020. Ranel also oversees MCU’s Business Partnership relationships and works with the Tristate Collaborative LLC with MN and WI.

Ranel lives in Great Falls, Montana, with her husband and has three grown children. She enjoys music, running, and leisure travel (when, that is, she’s not traveling for work)!

Listen to the Meet Ranel podcast episode.