Community 1st Credit Union managerial staff is ready for the grand opening July 16

Brian Flaherty is the Branch Manager for the Osceola Community 1st Credit Union, scheduled to open in July 16.

“Good things happen to good people”, said Flaherty. “I am looking forward to the opportunity of helping the community where I was born and raised find financial success for themselves and their families.”

Flaherty will be at Community 1st after working over five years at Hunsicker & Associates selling insurance. He is a graduate of Iowa State University, and was born and raised in Murray where he currently lives with his wife and their two children. Outside of work, the Flaherty family like to spend time outside playing and taking care of the kids’ bottle calf.

Passionate about his community, Flaherty is an active member in the local Rotary Club, Clark County Development, Murray Development, and also serves as an associate minister at Christ Way Church in Osceola (https://www.loc8nearme.com/iowa/osceola/christsway-church/6212720/).

“Brian is from the Osceola area and is involved in many community activities. He has already been living out the Credit Union mantra of ‘people helping people’ very well,” said Jaime Thomas, VP of Retail Operations. “We could not be more excited to have him represent Community 1st and serve the members in the Osceola community.”

Karen Wilker is the new Regional Manager of Community 1st Credit Union’s Western Region. With a home office in the new Community 1st Osceola Branch, Wilker will also oversee the Creston and Atlantic Branches once the Nishna Valley Credit Union merger is completed in the fall of 2021.

Wilker and her husband, Fred, make their home near Chariton and have lived in Lucas County for 27 years. Wilker is passionate about volunteering and has been involved with the Rotary Club of Chariton, Lucas County Development Corporation, Lucas County Food Pantry, and Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street. She has two children, six grandchildren and her dog, Jack. In her free time, Wilker spends time traveling, reading, listening to music, and entertaining her friends and family.

Wilker, currently serving as Chariton Branch Manager, recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary with the Credit Union. Her time and effort has been a vital part to the growth in the Chariton market for Community 1st.

“Karen is passionate about her work and her community and it shows through every interaction she has,” said Thomas. “She is a strong advocate for leadership development and growth, and we are very pleased to announce her as our newest Regional Manager. Karen’s promotion is much deserved and she will make a great addition to our Regional Management Team.”