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Meet the CU Direct Connect Executive Staff

The CU Direct Connect team is a well-rounded group of professionals with the knowledge, experience and expertise you can rely on.

STEVE ANDERSON, President/CEO

Steve Anderson is President and CEO of CU Direct Connect.  CU Direct Connect purchased the indirect lending from Aimbridge Lending in May 2003 and at that time Steve was President of Aimbridge Lending, known as CU Member Lending. Steve was directly involved with the indirect lending program developing dealer and Credit Union relationships starting in late 1993. Steve was employed by the Aimbridge Group in various roles since 1988. Prior experience includes over 20 years in the retail sales of automobiles with roles from salesperson, Finance and Lease Manager, Sales Manager and General Manager. During this period he started a Credit Union Auto Buying Service in 1985 serving over 10 Credit Unions in the Metro Denver area.  A quick peek into his office will reveal a minor obsession with golf - and Steve also has a passion for fixing up vintage vehicles.

TOM HELMERS, Vice President of Operations

Originally from Iowa, Tom received his B.S. in Business from South Dakota State University and moved to Colorado in 1991.  He has a total of over 16 years of experience in lending, beginning with four years spent with ITT Financial managing underwriting.  He started as a mortgage loan officer with Credit Union of Denver in 1993 and worked his way up to Supervisor of Lending, overseeing both direct and indirect lending for the credit union.  Tom moved into indirect lending in 2000 and became the VP of Operations for CU Direct Connect in 2004.  In his spare time, Tom can be found hitting the slopes, hitting the greens or bluffing at Texas Hold 'Em.

TAMI ANDERSON, Vice President of Business Development

Raised in Michigan, Tami Anderson obtained a B.S. degree in Business from Western Michigan University.  She began her career with Nissan Motor Corporation and transferred from the manufacturer's side of the business to sales, where she was recognized with many national awards and honors.  After starting a credit union auto buying service and dealership, Tami was part of the founding team that developed indirect lending in Colorado.  She has worked in the credit union industry for over 18 years.  In her spare time Tami enjoys travel, music and "double bogey golf."

ED SCHMAL, Vice President of Finance & Accounting

A Chicago native, Ed earned his MBA from the University of Chicago while working at Service Master, where he spent over 20 years in corporate finance roles.  In 1994 Ed moved to Colorado and began working with Boston Chicken, then moving into a role as a Financial Analyst for Qwest.  Ed joined the CU Direct Connect team in April of 2003 as a Controller and was promoted to Vice President of Finance & Accounting.  When he's not playing with his abacus, Ed can be found hiking 14ers and enjoying the outdoors at his Morrison home.

TIA RODRIGUEZ, Director of Operations

Tia is a rare Colorado native with over 10 years of experience with credit unions.  She began at Colorado Central Credit Union in 1995 and moved to CU Member Lending (Aimbridge Lending) shortly after.  At CU Member Lending, Tia worked in almost every role, from Loan Processor to Call Center and then Operations Manager.  In April of 2004 Tia was promoted to Direct of Operations for CU Direct Connect.  She enjoys spending quality time with her two children.

CHAD SHANE, Director of Sales

Born in Illinois, Chad majored in business and accounting at Ambrose University.  Early in his career he managed an IT training company from the start-up phase, then moving in a sales role with Qwest Dex.  He has been with CU Direct Connect for 2 years, beginning as an Account Manager and then promoted to Sales & Product Manager.  A former tennis instructor and certified craps & blackjack dealer (back in his college days), Chad enjoys everything athletic - especially rugby, softball and golf. 

DARREN LORENTZ, Director of IT

Darren has over 10 years of experience in the auto and indirect lending industry, including 5 years of I.T. project management experience.  He started, owned and ran not one but two businesses - one I.T. development company and also Solange, a jewelry business (where he still works as a Silversmith).  Darren has a background in art and architecture and loves cold, snow and high elevations.

CARRIE HELMERS , Marketing Manager

After earning her B.A. in Advertising from Michigan State University, Carrie moved to Colorado to enjoy an active life in the Rocky Mountains. She began her career with an advertising agency and has experience in client and project management, special event planning and product management. Carrie has passion for creating products and programs that meet individual clients' needs and developing effective marketing campaigns to support those programs. She enjoys traveling, dancing, sports and playing the piano.

 

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