Member Spotlight: Keith McDonald

Mark Crawford, CUNA Councils
May 23, 2006

Keith McDonald was born in Baltimore, but with a father in the military the family traveled extensively, including stints in France, Germany, Alaska, Texas, and North Carolina.

Keith started out in social work before switching to the field of human resources. He accepted his position as director of human resources for Justice Federal Credit Union in 2003.

Although Keith has been in HR for 18 years, this is his first job in the credit union industry. He lives in Springfield, Virginia.

Biggest challenge for 2006:

We just got a compensation administration package that I have been wanting for a couple years. Now I have to figure it out, show how this is a wonderful thing for Justice FCU, and work through getting all of our salaries in line, starting with getting the approval to do so! Best piece of HR advice: Nothing is ever chiseled in stone. Everything is open for discussion.

Greatest benefit from being a member of the Council:

What a valuable resource!! I often turn to the Council for answers when I am grappling with an issue. I always get the guidance that I need and my stress level goes way down. It has been especially helpful since I had never worked in the credit union world before.

Best part of my job:

I have a GREAT HR and training staff that does incredible work. Plus the rest of the senior team is very pro-HR and pro-employee. Those two things make my job so much easier. The HR/ training department even has its own “wing.”

Hardest part of my job:

Keeping up with all the regulations and laws. I just hate all that legal stuff! It is the only thing that can keep me up at night. (One of the reasons I left social work is that I was always in court—I wanted to get away from dealing with legal issues and attorneys so I got into HR. Maybe I should have done a little more research!)

Best HR success story:

While we have many success stories here at Justice FCU, the one that I want to “crow” about is how the HR/training department has evolved into a recognized, strategic partner at Justice FCU. It wasn’t all that long ago when we were a small, underutilized department that was basically administrative. We are now involved in all aspects of our business and seen as a resource for guidance and creativity. As I mentioned, I have a great team that is talented and focused. They really give 110% day in and day out.

Hobbies/interests:

Collecting anything related to the old I Love Lucy show. And I like to do anything athletic. My philosophy is “keep moving”! I am an avid skier and I run and work out at the gym. Oh yeah . . . and even though I am not much of a cook, The Food Network have a strange power over me. I can watch it for hours.

People would be surprised to learn that I . . .

Am a vegetarian and refuse to wear anything made of leather or any other animal product.

Life goal not yet accomplished:

Spending time in Spain. It has been on my list for a long time but always seems to get put aside for something else.

Something that always makes me laugh:

Physical humor. I love slapstick.

If I had an extra hour in the day. . .

I’d probably waste it watching mindless television, which I do enough of already.