Board Bio Ken Noland
Ken Noland
With years of community and credit union leadership, Ken Noland brings a big-picture outlook to his role as Board Chair, while maintaining a sharp focus on serving individual credit union members.
CAREER AND COMMUNITY
The skills and knowledge Noland brings to his role on the Board have been developed and sharpened during more than 30 years of work within North Carolina local government. He’s spent most of his career serving as Town Manager of Wilkesboro since 1999, which he considers one of the most significant accomplishments.
“The work has allowed for continuity, to do things that we might not have been able to do with a change of management all the time,” Noland says.
Under his watchful eye, the small town has accomplished a lot: rebuilt 90% of its underground utility system, added inclusive park amenities for children; added biking and hiking trails, community gardens, and pickleball courts; and revitalized its downtown, all without raising taxes.
“We are very excited that we’ve been able to create features that draw visitors to our park system and our town,” Noland says. “We’ve created an environment that is healthy for people physically and mentally, and we’ve built every bit of it ourselves. A lot of people are very proud of this community.”
COMMITTED TO SERVICE
Noland brings this outlook and advocacy to his credit union service, which runs deep: As member of LGFCU since 1996, he began serving on its Northern Mountain Advisory Council in 2007, was elected to the LGFCU Board of Directors in 2014, and has since played a key role in the development of Civic. He holds the designation of Certified Credit Union Board Member (CCUB) through America’s Credit Unions, previously known as the Credit Union National Association.
Noland believes Civic stands out from other financial institutions because, “We treat members as individuals, meeting them where they’re at in life.”
It’s a statement and a feeling that resonates with members, some who have been a part of the credit union throughout its 40-plus-year history.
Serving as a credit union Board member has enabled me to give back, and to help our 400,000-plus members who work hard, some of whom may be living paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes need our help.”
FUTURE FOCUS
Noland believes that Civic should be positioned to help North Carolinians move toward a better quality of life. To achieve this, he says, means providing financial education to help strengthen members’ ability to buy homes, get good jobs, and advance their education. We also must work to break the cycle of rural-urban divide, he says, eliminating banking deserts and food deserts.
By focusing on the mission of People first, Planet always, and Prosperity for all, Noland believes Civic will serve as a banking model for other financial institutions to follow.
CURRENT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Chair, Retirement Committee, NC City and County Management Association
- Vice Chair, High Country Rural Transportation Coordinating Committee
- Member and Terrific Kids Coordinator, North Wilkesboro Kiwanis Club