Below is a list of the candidates for this election along with some biographical information for each. Click here when you are ready to vote.
 
John Lathrop

John is a retired CPA. John practiced public accounting for 34 years, the last 20 years as a partner. John spent the first 22 years of his career with Arthur Andersen, promoted to partner in 1996 and then with KPMG LLP from 2002 until his retirement in 2016. John lead numerous audits including those of large public companies in Kansas City and throughout the United States in his role as lead engagement partner. John's specific experience includes working with Boards of Directors/ Audit Committees, initial public offerings(IPO's), accounting for business acquisitions, income tax accounting, business restructurings and derivatives. John has also made several presentations over many years primarily to energy and utility trade groups on various emerging accounting and audit issues. Over the past 10 years he has served on the Board of two Kansas City not for profit organizations, the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) and Rose Brooks. At both organizations John has served as President of the Board and Finance Committee Chair. In addition, during this same time period John served as Finance Committee Chair for his parish church. John graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
 
Russ Petry (Incumbent)

I have been at a CFO level position for over 26 years, and have experience in the corporate, nonprofit, taxable not for profit, and government sectors in accounting and finance. I have heavy experience with cash management as well as economics.

I have worked for three of the six domestic violence shelters in the Kansas City Metro, have also worked for the Kansas City Domestic Violence Network. I have also worked for several other nonprofit organizations, such as Good Samaritan Project, National Catholic Reporter, MS Society, and Swope Community Builders to name a few. I am currently CFO at All Systems in Kansas City, Kansas.

I have served on the Mazuma Credit Union Board of Directors for almost two years and have enjoyed every minute of it, including serving as Treasurer of the Board. I consider it to be a great honor to be on this Board and look forward to many years to come on it. I have also served on nonprofit boards before, including Good Samaritan Project, and Trinity United Methodist Church. I have been a trusted member of the Kansas City Metro Community for over 30 years now.

Besides all of this background, I am Mazuma's biggest fan!!! I love Mazuma Credit Union and appreciate all the options available for my banking needs. Mazuma is awesome! I look forward to your trust and vote!
 
Thomas Reck

I feel I have a lot to offer as a member of the Board of Directors, and now have the time and energy to devote to this task. Our members deserve the best that Board and management can offer them. Past experience on both the Board and the Audit (Supervisory) committee gives me valuable perspective on current happenings, and I have served as chairperson of both. Also, I can help ensure representation of older Credit Union members and Easter Jackson County residents as a member of the board.

I have a Master's degree in theology, served in the Department of Health & Human Services for 30 years, and have volunteered in a variety of positions in the metro area, including neighborhood Crime Watch, Junior Achievement, and volunteer naturalist.

The 8 year recovery in our economy has been slow, and many are still struggling. Credit Unions are a superior alternative to banks for them. Credit unions, being member owned, do not have to pay salaries and stock options to Board members, nor are they driven by a short term profit motive. I understand credit unions, and have the ability and desire to contribute to Mazuma's current Board & management team.

I ask for your vote.
 
Jeff Westmeyer (Incumbent)

As a local community leader, I believe it is extremely important to strive in aiding with growth and prosperity within the Kansas City Metropolitan area. As a Board Member of Mazuma Credit Union, I believe I can do that. Not only for our community as a whole, but specifically for the Mazuma Credit Union community. My background in finance and sales makes me an ideal candidate to reach out to those in many different walks of life, serving to increase Mazuma's profitability and community presence. I have a passion for governance and leadership. As your representative, I vow to bring the same enthusiasm and experience to the job that I bring in all aspects of my life. I believe my proven ability to accomplish goals set before me has served me well in my career, and I will bring the same ability to my position with Mazuma. While Mazuma Credit Union has been successful in the past, I am confident I can build on that success by bringing more opportunities and abundance back to the company and to you as a member. I share Mazuma's philosophy of making the member number one. My promise to you as I serve on the Board would be to always make you, the member, first and foremost in all of my decisions.