As I near the end of my first three-year term as a director on the board, I recognize that I am just now starting to feel really comfortable in my role.  This past year, I served as chair of one of our committees and as Second Vice Chair on the Executive Committee. These roles have given me a greater insight into the operations of our cooperative. Drawing on this, my job experience and other board experience, I am confident that I’m a valuable contributing member of the board.

Since retiring from my 37-year banking career in 2022, I often think about how people outside the workforce view the board's actions.  What impact do our regular decisions make, and how can we guide the employees to consider the members’ perspective? This is a complicated, rapidly evolving industry that can sometimes outpace our membership’s understanding. We need to make prudent business decisions, but we can always do a better job of educating our members and making sure their interests are top of mind. I am proud of the growth Westman has experienced and the additional communities it can now serve. I am also proud of the support we have provided these communities through sponsorships and growing patronage for our members.

If I am elected to the board again, there is so much work in front of us in the future that I am excited to be a part of.

Get to Know Mike in This Video