WESTconsin Leadership Team
Corporate Team
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Lora Benrud
Chief Executive OfficerMeet Lora
Lora Benrud
Chief Executive Officer
Lora Benrud began working at WESTconsin Credit Union in 1984 and is the fourth president in the company’s history. Prior to becoming CEO in August 2014, she held the position of Chief Financial Officer. Lora has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Mount Senario College and a Master of Science degree in Management Technology from University of Wisconsin – Stout. She currently serves on boards for the Stout University Foundation, Dunn County Economic Development Corporation, and Wisconsin Credit Union League. Lora is also a member of the Women’s Giving Circle of Dunn County. She enjoys sporting and outdoor activities, traveling and reading.
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Jim Wookey
Chief Operations OfficerMeet Jim
Jim Wookey
Chief Operations Officer
Jim Wookey has been an employee of WESTconsin Credit Union since 1994. He obtained his education from the University of Iowa with an emphasis in Business Administration. Jim’s involvements include Menomonie Rotary Club, Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hudson Hot Air Affair Committee, Hudson’s Sunrise Lion’s Club and many other community efforts. In his personal time, Jim enjoys golfing, reading and spending quality time with his family.
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Niki Yarrington
Chief Talent OfficerMeet Niki
Niki Yarrington
Chief Talent Officer
Niki Yarrington has been working at WESTconsin since 2003, and was promoted to the credit union’s Corporate Team in November 2012. Niki possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, and has a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Dunn County. In her free time, Niki enjoys traveling, camping and family activities.
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Michael Tomasek
Chief Information Security OfficerMeet Michael
Michael Tomasek
Chief Information Security Officer
Michael Tomasek joined WESTconsin’s Corporate Team in January 2013. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from DeVry University in Addison, Illinois, and has earned multiple certifications in the industry. Michael regularly volunteers at St. Joes Elementary School where he assists staff with their IT needs. His hobbies include being a soccer referee, gaming, and spending time with his wife and son.
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Jerilyn Kinderman
Chief Financial OfficerMeet Jerilyn
Jerilyn Kinderman
Chief Financial Officer
Jerilyn Kinderman was hired as CFO in May 2014. Jerilyn is a graduate of University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and minor in management. Her community involvements include serving on the Board of Directors for the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts and L.E. Phillips Senior Center in Eau Claire. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling and volunteering.
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Stephanie Rasmussen
Chief Experience OfficerMeet Stephanie
Stephanie Rasmussen
Chief Experience Officer
Stephanie Rasmussen has been working at WESTconsin since 2016, promoted to the CXO position. Stephanie possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and English Literature from University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. She is a member of the Women’s Giving Circle of Dunn County and the Dunn County Community Foundation - Grants Committee, and is a strong supporter of Junior Achievement. Stephanie’s interests include rescuing dogs, watching her daughter play tennis and spending time with family.
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Scott Giltner
Chief Lending OfficerMeet Scott
Scott Giltner
Chief Lending Officer
Scott Giltner joined WESTconsin’s Corporate Team in June 2019, and possesses 27 years of lending management experience. Scott is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Scott has served as an instructor and board member for a statewide mortgage lending school, and is also a strong supporter of youth sports. He and his wife reside in Menomonie, and look forward to becoming part of the community. His hobbies include traveling with his family, running, golfing, bike riding, all Wisconsin sports teams, and a love for live music.
Board of Directors
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Gerald Wolf
Elmwood - Chairperson
Meet Gerald
Gerald Wolf
Elmwood - Chairperson
Jerry has been a member of WESTconsin Credit Union since 1993. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005 and currently serves as Vice Chairperson. Jerry began farming with his brother, Chuck, following graduation from high school in 1975 on their 200 acre dairy farm near Eau Galle, which has been in the Wolf family for almost 140 years. In 1998, Sunnyview Dairy was certified organic. In 2003, the Wolf’s were awarded Dunn County Farm Family of the Year from the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2006, Sunnyview Dairy hosted the Dunn County Dairy Breakfast. Jerry completed Chippewa Valley Technical College adult agriculture classes, and also the Director Leadership Program when serving on Countryside Cooperative’s Board of Directors for five years. In the fall of 2018 Jerry and his family retired from milking cows and the herd was dispersed. They continue to grow and market the organic corn and barley that they produce. Jerry has taken a part time job with C&J Builders of River Falls, a spec and custom home builder. Jerry and his wife Tammy are blessed to have all three of their children and their spouses living close as well as enjoying their three new grand babies.
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Todd Leipnitz
Menomonie - Vice ChairpersonMeet Todd
Todd Leipnitz
Menomonie - Vice Chairperson
Todd has been a member of WESTconsin Credit Union since 1986 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2008. He attended UW-Madison earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry. After earning his DDS degree at the University of Minnesota, Todd is now self-employed at Leipnitz Dental. Todd is a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Red Cedar Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and American and Wisconsin Dental Associations. He has also served on the advisory board for Chippewa Valley Technical College’s hygiene program.
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Colleen Mensing
Menomonie - SecretaryMeet Colleen
Colleen Mensing
Menomonie - Secretary
Colleen has been a member of WESTconsin Credit Union since 1980 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2008. Colleen was born and raised in Menomonie, Wisconsin. After graduating from Menomonie High School in 1980, she attended the Chippewa Valley Technical College and received an associate degree in accounting. Colleen retired from the United States Department of Agriculture in 2018 after 35 years with the agency. She has received many awards including Certificates of Merit from USDA for contributing substantially to Wisconsin Agriculture and continued delivery of services to Dunn County producers. Colleen is currently the Treasurer for the Town of Spring Brook and is a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.
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Karen Flug
Menomonie - TreasurerMeet Karen
Karen Flug
Menomonie - Treasurer
Karen has been a member of WESTconsin Credit Union since 1997. She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019. Karen was born and raised in Menomonie. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and an MBA from UW-Eau Claire. As a senior healthcare executive with over 27 year’s leadership, general management and P&L experience, Karen has a successful track record of growing businesses and building relationships. Karen currently is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Forefront Dermatology. Karen previously served on local advisory boards including the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Finance and Accounting Department Advisory Board and the Sacred Heart Hospital Advisory Board.
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Dale Dahlke
Knapp - DirectorMeet Dale
Dale Dahlke
Knapp - Director
Dale has been a member of WESTconsin Credit Union since 1995. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005. He served in the U.S. Army and the Wisconsin National Guard. He taught Biology and Anatomy/Physiology and coached track and field for 30 years at Menomonie High School, retiring in 2003. He then served two years as Activities Director at MHS, and four years at UW-Stout with Educational Talent Search. Dale is a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, currently serving as a board chair, Clearwaters Trout Unlimited, board member, Knapp Lions Club and Dunn County Fish and Game.
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Sarah Noreen
River Falls - Director
Meet Sarah
Sarah Noreen
River Falls - Director
Sarah has been a member of WESTconsin Credit Union since 1985 and began serving on the Board of Directors in 2020. She attended UW-Eau Claire earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish. Sarah earned her Masters of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Northern Arizona University. She is a Communication Skills Instructor at the New Richmond campus of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. In addition, Sarah teaches driver’s education in Hudson and River Falls. She is a member and volunteer at First Congregational United Church of Christ in River Falls, where she serves on the Mission Education committee, as well as a volunteer for Sporting World, a non-profit benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin.
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Mark Dahms
Menomonie - DirectorMeet Mark
Mark Dahms
Menomonie - Director
Mark Dahms is a 1986 graduate of Menomonie High School and graduated from UW Stout in 1991 with a Business degree. He has been employed at Halverson Brothers Plumbing & Heating since 1994, and in 2007, Dahms became part owner of the business. He has spent many years serving as a board member for the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce and the Menomonie Community Foundation. Additionally, he has been a Local 434 Plumbers and Fitters Board of Trustees Member since 2015. Dahms and his wife, Joyce, have two sons ages 16 and 12. As a family they enjoy athletics, hunting, fishing, ATV riding, snowmobiling, boating, and cabin life.