Mindy Howard’s journey with Highmark Credit Union started at the age of 19 as a part-time teller — and nearly three decades later, she leads the organization as its Chief Executive Officer and President. “I have bounced between positions from teller to head teller to collections, mortgage loan processing, internal audit, operations,” Mindy reflected. “I stay out of accounting and I don’t open accounts — there’s a lot I stay out of — but that’s why I have an amazing team to do that stuff.”
That team numbers 65 employees across five physical locations and a digital branch, serving 11 counties spanning South Dakota and Wyoming. “We are very much a family,” Mindy said with a laugh. “Sometimes we bicker, but there’s always that love, that connection. When something needs to be done, we’re there for our family first and foremost.” This family mindset extends beyond the staff to the credit union’s 13,000 members, whom Mindy pointed out are each an owner of the credit union.
Aaron Prochazka, Chief Administrative Officer, echoed this sentiment: “I might not be an expert in IT or member experience, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for these guys if they asked me to help them. We’re all willing to help other departments. At the end of the day that extends to how we serve our members.”
Started in 1940 by teachers in a closet beneath a stairwell at Rapid City High School, Highmark was originally created to serve educators who struggled to qualify for loans. “A number of educators came together and said, ‘Hey, we’ll take care of our own,’” Mindy explained. Today, the credit union’s membership extends to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school within its service area. Highmark offers fast, flexible consumer loans for autos, VISA cards, recreational vehicles and personal financing. Their mortgage team supports purchases, construction loans, refinances and home equity lines of credit. On the commercial side, they provide ag and equipment loans, along with business financing.
One of the credit union’s hallmark programs is its Spirit Card, a debit card that features local school mascots and donates a portion of transaction fees back to those schools. “We support 10 local schools across our area,” Mindy said. “Since we started, we’ve donated over $34,000 back to those schools.”
Technology and member services are not compromised despite Highmark’s smaller size. “We still compete on all levels with technology — and on checking accounts, savings, CDs,” said Tony Pannone, Chief Information Officer. “We’re hyper-focused on security, seeing thousands of bad password attempts every second, just like the big banks.”
Dan Johnson, Chief Experience Officer, added, “The difference is we know your name. We know your kids’ names. You’ll see us at your kids’ Little League games. We are the community, not some 1-800 number.”
For 85 years, Highmark has remained steadfast in its mission: people helping people, building community and inspiring success for future generations in the Black Hills and beyond.
Pictured, back row, left to right: Amber Fuhrmann, Tony Pannone, Mindy Howard, Heather Lajoie, Brenda Koehne and
Dan Johnson.
Front row, left to right: Aaron Prochazka and Kelsey Opitz
725 Fifth Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
highmarkfcu.com
