Client Testimonials
“I did really enjoy working with you on our new policies. You made the work pleasant and we got a whole lot of policies created in such a short period of time. Your help in facilitating us through our discussions was a key to our success.”
“You had more impact on us than any other consultant we had ever used before and I say that for three reasons: First, we did get a lot done. Second, our relationships were enhanced. We had good relationships among the board members to begin with, but working through the policy creation took us to a higher level of understanding and appreciation of each other. Third, relationships between board members and our CEO were also kicked up several notches.”
— Marty Borrevik, Board Member, St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union
“Steve earned the respect of his colleagues and competitors for his creative, forward thinking approach to problem solving, which made him a valued resource. I was particularly impressed by Steve’s leadership associated with the creation of Lake Trust Credit Union, which used new strategic merger provisions that I helped draft into the 2003 Michigan Credit Union Act. His collaborative, inclusive style was effective creating a combined new organization that was truly stronger than it’s component parts.”
— Ken Ross, Former Commissioner, Michigan Office of Financial & Insurance Regulation
“I am pleased to recommend Steve Winninger’s professional work relative to governance models and practices, strategic planning and Board of Director dynamics.
I have known Steve professionally for over 20 years, having worked on a continuing basis (as an external consultant) with Steve and his employees during his long tenure as CEO (LakeTrust Credit Union and formerly NuUnion Credit Union and State Employees Credit Union.) Steve has considerable Board/CEO experience, in addition to serving on Boards and Foundations himself.
Steve is well-schooled and experienced in the areas of governance and strategic planning. He possesses this knowledge from formal training; however, —and most importantly—he has an understanding of governance and strategic planning from a hands-on level, having helped implement a governance model with his own Board that is still in operation today.
Steve has an astute understanding of group dynamics at the Board level and he is sensitive to the Board/CEO relationship.
Many times I have heard Steve present before groups and I can attest that he is an accomplished and polished speaker and presenter. I highly recommend Steve to Boards and organizations in need of a skilled and experienced consultant to guide them through the processes of effective governance and strategic planning.”
— Laura Huggler, Ph.D. Executive Coach/Organizational Consultant Laura Huggler, Ph.D. & Associates
“Steve recently delivered a practical, insightful and most worthwhile presentation on the logistics of credit union mergers to the Credit Union Managers Association (CUMA) Spring Conference in Galway. Managers and C.E.O.s were impressed with Steve’s breadth and depth of knowledge, and his ability to mix anecdotal experience with best practice, and make it meaningful to professionals from a wide range of credit unions. Steve later deployed his considerable communication skills to deliver to mixed audiences of directors and managers in a number of other locations in Ireland. Here again, participants found Steve’s contributions to be thought-provoking, practical, relevant and most helpful.
Steve’s contributions come at a very pivotal time for the Irish credit union movement, which is at a time of great change following the Commission on Credit Unions Report (March 2012) and the subsequent Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012 (December 2012).
I am sure that Irish Credit Unions will continue to derive practical benefit from engagement with Steve.”
— Tim Molan, Communications Director, Credit Union Managers Association, Ireland.
“It is a pleasure to endorse Steve as a businessman, a leader, and a member of our society who understands the full meaning of “civic duty.”
Steve currently serves as Chair of the Lansing Community College Foundation Board of Directors, and I have the good fortune of serving with him. His masterful guidance of each meeting, in a manner that is low-key but firm enough to move the agenda, thoughtful but not overly theoretical, is what we need, what the public expects, and what gets the business of our foundation done honestly and on time.
Steve’s long experience as a CEO, civic leader, and astute businessman evokes my support as he chairs our discussions. His “board savvy” approach, combined with his work behind the scenes, between meetings, prompts my quiet salute of respect.”