Leaders Credit Union, member-owned financial cooperative based in Jackson, is pleased to introduce Ron Tharpe as a part of their Community Engagement team.
According to a press release from Janet Wylie – Marketing Specialist, Leaders Credit Union – Tharpe’s role is to support and deepen community relationships while delivering relevant financial solutions and customized educational courses to Leaders Credit Union Select Employee Group relationships and members.
“The need to expand the Community Engagement team was great; however, the importance of finding the right team member with passion, experience, and who embodied our corporate values and brand personality became our priority,” noted Leigh Anne Bentley, Chief Marketing Officer. “We did not take our search lightly, but when we met Ron Tharpe, we knew he was a perfect fit for this growing team. He already excels in building relationships in the community and has a servant heart to help the members we serve.”
With over 200 Select Employment Groups, Leaders Community Engagement team has grown to four full-time employees led by Karen Freeman, Vice President of Community Engagement. Their primary role is to take the credit union outside and serve the business partners that have made Leaders, their credit union.
The community engagement team works with these businesses with free financial wellness programs to improve an employees’ quality of life, productivity and boosts business retention rates. They also attend on-site events such as health fairs and open enrollments and work with human resource managers to help set up direct deposits and programs. Outside the business partner role, this team provides volunteer hours for many local organizations and work to improve the quality of life of those in West Tennessee.
Tharpe brings over 20 years of financial service experience in banking, lending, investments, mortgages, and insurance. Most recently, Tharpe was the agency owner of Ron Tharpe State Farm Agency, where he serviced and worked in the community for the past fourteen years. Tharpe also serves as a bi-vocational senior paster at Wortham Chapel Baptist Church in Alamo and has spent 10 years in the ministry.
Tharpe is an active member of the West Tennessee community.
He was selected to serve on the City of Jackson budget committee, and also serves on the boards of the Jackson Exchange Club and the Carl Perkins Center for Prevention of Child Abuse. He is a member of the Exchange Club where he serves as co-chair of the community service committee.
He is also an active member and mentor of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
“My passion is to serve humanity, and this is what attracted me to Leaders Credit Union,” Tharpe said, “Leaders has a passion for improving their members’ financial lives and serving as an advocate for others. When I saw what all they did for the community and their membership, I knew I wanted to be a part of the organization and help make a bigger difference.”
Originally from Huntingdon, Tharpe graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Economics and Finance.
A football standout at UTM, Tharpe earned his Masters of Divinity Master’s Degree at Memphis Theological Seminary.
Tharpe, his wife and three children have resided in Jackson since 2004.
For more information about Leaders Credit Union, visit their website at leaderscu.com. If you are a West Tennessee Business and are interested in becoming a Leaders Select Employee Group, email [email protected].
(PHOTO: Ron Tharpe)
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