Retirement Announcement

Veridian’s Chief Operating Officer Doug Gilbertson has announced plans to retire at the end of this year after 37 years of service. Gilbertson started at the credit union in 1986 in what is now Veridian’s account resolution department. Over the following decade, he oversaw various departments of lending, including commercial, mortgage, credit cards, indirect and other consumer lending. He became Vice President of Branches in 2001 and has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2005.

“Doug has served Veridian members and employees as a pillar of reliable leadership for decades,” said Veridian President and CEO Renee Christoffer. “His role in our strategic growth and the security it’s provided can’t be overstated. We owe him a debt of gratitude, and his absence will be felt.”

During Gilbertson’s tenure, the organization grew from $170 million in assets as John Deere Community Credit Union to $7 billion in assets as Veridian Credit Union. Membership grew from 35,000 to 329,000 in that time.

As Veridian grew, so did Gilbertson’s areas of responsibility. He currently oversees Veridian’s mortgage lending, consumer lending, indirect lending, account resolutions, marketing and retail operations, including branches and member contact center. Upon his retirement, those areas of responsibility will be divided among two successors who are working closely to transition his responsibilities through the rest of the year. Mark Koppedryer was recently named Veridian’s Chief Experience Officer to oversee the credit union’s branch network, member contact center, digital services and marketing. Koppedryer started at Veridian in 1995 and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Retail. Kara VanWert has been named Chief Lending Officer to oversee all departments of consumer and commercial lending, as well as Veridian Insurance. Kara started at Veridian in 1990, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Lending.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have spent my career at an organization that cares deeply for our members and employees,” Gilbertson said. “I have worked closely with Kara and Mark for more than 20 years and can’t imagine two people better equipped to help lead Veridian into the future.”