Derek Smith

Derek loves taking things apart and putting them back together. Coupled with unnatural mathematical talent, he makes sense of life’s puzzles and ensures credit unions with CDFI grants remain in compliance with clear reporting.

His journey to CU Strategic Planning was through both credit unions and community development. He was brought into the credit union culture of “people helping people to help themselves” as a loan officer at USX Federal Credit Union. That calling was a natural move from his education. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Counseling and Planning from Purdue University where he was a Peer Success Coach, a 21st Century Scholar and recipient of the Promise Scholarship.

Derek’s community development experience came from working directly inside a community action agency. He was the financial analyst at Community & Family Services, Inc. where he supervised the finance department supporting communities achieving new visions.

Derek lives in small city in Indiana with his wife who was his high school sweetheart. Wholesome through and through, Derek keeps CU Strategic Planning and our credit unions out of trouble on the straight and narrow path.