Matt Ballou

Chief Retail Officer, WyHy CU

After receiving his BS degree in Business Finance from the University of Wyoming, Matt spent a year as and insurance agent for Farm Bureau before joining the WyHy team. In 2011 he became a loan officer in the Casper branch, and is currently the Chief Retail Officer where he feels lucky to have the opportunity to make an impact on so many lives. Matt is proud to be a husband to his beautiful wife Erica, and a father to his two boys, Logan and Jackson. Matt strives to inspire others to win so they may achieve their ultimate potential. 


Jason Buchanan, MBA 

Chief Credit and Risk Officer 

Jason Buchanan has worked over the last twenty years within Credit and Risk Management at financial institutions of increasing size and complexity — most recently serving as the Head of Operational, Data, Technology, Cybersecurity, and Fraud Risk at BBVA USA before joining the Executive Team at Blue FCU. 

He received his Undergraduate and Master of Business Administration degrees from Dallas Baptist University and has remained active in both non-profit and faith-based organizations. When they lived in Baytown, TX, he and his wife, Hope, founded a non-profit organization which funded micro-grants for individuals and groups who wouldn’t otherwise be able to obtain funding. 

Jason is a technologist at heart, blending the disciplines of risk management with process improvement and technology as needed. His prior responsibilities have included Commercial Credit Decision Engines, Portfolio and Asset Allocations, Operational Risk Management, Credit Analysis, and Portfolio Management & Underwriting Systems. 

Jason and his wife, Hope, have five children. Hope is an artist and enjoys leading their neighborhood Bible study. In his spare time, Jason enjoys writing music and reading. Their youngest son Tanner is seventeen years old and joins them on the journey to Cheyenne. With autism, he overflows with joy and energy; a blessing to everyone he meets.


Melody Fenton

Corporate Trainer, Western Vista Credit Union

Melody Fenton is the Corporate Trainer at Western Vista Credit Union in Cheyenne WY.  She has spent 14 years in the Credit Union industry.  During this time, she has held positions in Member Services, Training, Public Relations and managed the Blue Foundation during her time at Blue FCU.  She also won the Do Gooder of the Year Award for most hours volunteered in her community while at Blue.  

Melody’s commitment to credit union philosophy of People Helping People extends to her volunteerism in her community.  She volunteers with Cheyenne Frontier Days supporting their Visiting Rodeo Queen program and hosting event sponsors, has served on the board of directors at Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County, co-chaired the programs committee for the Cheyenne Kiwanis Club, and currently volunteers as the co-coordinator for Cheyenne’s Thankful Thursday.   

Melody graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s in business marketing. In her free time, she spoils her 2 giant mastiffs and plans adventures around the country with her husband. 


Bryan
Grzegorczyk
Founder, Thankful Thursday

Bryan Grzegorczyk, better known as Alf, has spent the last decade raising nearly 1.9 million dollars to help a variety of charities including Special Olympics Wyoming, St. Joseph’s Food pantry and so many more. Alf has achieved this by founding Thankful Thursday back in 2010. Thankful Thursday is an event with food, auctions and raffles. The money raised is donated to many different local nonprofit groups. Alf has dedicated much of his time, money and efforts, to helping better his community in every way possible. 


Deli Ranieri

Chief Human Resources Officer, Trona Valley FCU

My name is Deli Ranieri, and I will have been with Trona Valley FCU for 30 years in September. I started my journey in 1992 as a teller at a local bank. In 1993, I went towards the credit union light and knew right away that I had found my home in our great movement. I was offered many development opportunities throughout the years and served as a Teller Supervisor and Branch Manager. I attended Cuna Management School from 1998-2000.  In 2007 I caught the HR bug and transitioned into that role. Soon after, I was added to the executive team. I received my PHR designation in 2013 and became a member of the CUDE community in 2015 (best class ever!).  In 2016 I was invited to attend the Africa CUDE program, which was one of the highlights of my career and a huge honor. What I love the most about being part of the credit union industry is the networking and collaboration opportunities.  The level of knowledge, passion, and genuine spirit immeasurable. 

On a personal note, I am so lucky to have an incredible husband who shares my love of travel, nerdy movies (my favorites include Aliens and Game of Thrones) and outdoor adventures. I have two grown children, Dallas and Brooke and I became a Grandma to a PERFECT grandson named Hudson last September. 


Scott Sager

Chief Financial Officer, Colorado Credit Union

Scott Sager became the Chief Financial Officer at Colorado Credit Union in September of 2022. He brings a decade of industry experience from Trona Valley FCU in Wyoming.  He has served as the chairman of Wyoming Young Credit Union Professionals (YCUP), was a committee member of Mountain West YCUP, and served on the steering committee for the World YCUP.  He currently serves on the Denver Area Chapter Board of Directors. 

Scott graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and got his first career start in Public Accounting.  Scott shortly realized it was time to find a better fit and discovered the Credit Union Movement.  Through his career he has attained his CPA, ICUDE (International DE) designation, was named a top 20 under 40 Young Professional in the MWCUA, graduated from Western Cuna Management School with Honors, and recently completed the Executive Leadership Program.  Scott drives financial success by teeing up a sustainable blend of business acumen and social purpose.


Lorrell Walter

Chief Marketing Officer, Western Vista Credit Union 

Lorrell Walter subscribes to three leadership mantras: Give credit where credit is due; Praise in public, criticize in private; Don’t ask someone to do something if you won’t do it yourself. With 20+ years in marketing/communications and 16 years in senior management, Lorrell has been instrumental in elevating the reputation of her credit union. She is active in her community and in the CUNA M&BD Council. Lorrell is a proud Diamond Award winner and received the council’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year award. She is a Kiwanis member and Girl Scout leader and serves on the board of directors for the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative, Air Force Association, and Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee.


Tina Wickes

VP of Lending, Columbine FCU

Tina Wickes is the Vice President of Lending at Columbine Federal Credit Union. Her career in the Credit Union Movement spans 13 years to include managing and developing the Consumer Lending department’s at On Tap Credit Union and Zing Credit Union.   Tina joined Columbine in September of 2020She has a passion for leading and mentoring staff and optimizing talent throughout the organizationTina is committed to making a difference in members’ and employee’s lives and in the communities in which Columbine serves.

Tina embodies the Credit Union spirit of people helping people and serving the underserved in the work she does at ColumbineShe currently sits as the President of the Denver Area Chapter Board, sits on the GoWest Talent Development Committee, represents Columbine as the Advocacy Coordinator with GoWest, and participates with the Young Professionals group both locally and as a YP Legacy Lead. Tina enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community in which she lives and worksWhen not in the office, Tina can be found leading an active Colorado lifestyle with her two children, Holden (17) and Katie (20), and her husband Scott of 22 years. 


Kim Withers

CEO, Meridian Trust FCU

Kim Withers came to Meridian Trust in 1991 with a previous career in savings and loans and other local credit unions. At the time, the credit union had been struggling to be relevant and financially stable for several years. Now, after 30 years at the credit union, Meridian Trust has over 10 branches in three states and $650 million in assets. She partnered with Ryan Pollick of Utah Power to create the PowerTrust CUSO service centers. She established the North Star Foundation and a specialized program called HEAT aimed at providing utility assistance and furnace repair for those that are struggling. 

Involved in her community, she served on the Cheyenne-Laramie County Economic Board, Friday Food Bag Board of Directors, and Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum Board. Her very favorite was being a Girl Scout Troop Leader that focused on empowering girls to run the troop like a business and create their own opportunities. 

Withers holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a master’s degree in human resources from Leslie College (nka Leslie University).