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Synergent’s Mitch Ryan addresses the Class of 2026.
Four credit union professionals representing Maine have completed America’s Credit Unions’ Credit Union Management School, marking the culmination of a rigorous three-year executive education program designed to prepare credit union professionals for leadership.
Congratulations to Maine’s 2026 graduates:
- Taylor Dobson, Assistant Loan Operations Manager, The County FCU
- Dennis Rogeski, Vice President of Lending, The County FCU
- Mitchell Ryan, VP of Information Systems, Synergent
- Bridgette Shorey, Loan Operations Manager, UCU
Credit Union Management School is the credit union movement’s longest-running high-level educational program. Held in Madison, Wisconsin, the program combines instruction from University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business professors, credit union leaders, and industry experts. Over three years, participants build their knowledge and skills in areas including financial management, strategic planning, leadership development, compliance, cybersecurity, advocacy, risk management, and innovation.
The experience extends well beyond time in the classroom. Participants complete exams and applied projects throughout the program, with the third year requiring a comprehensive strategic plan and oral presentation. Those who successfully complete the full three-year curriculum earn the Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation.
For Maine’s graduates, completing the program also provided an opportunity to learn from and build relationships with credit union professionals from across the country.
“Completing Credit Union Management School was about far more than coursework, projects, or earning a designation,” Ryan shared. “The most meaningful part of the experience was the opportunity to learn alongside professionals from different credit unions, states, roles, and backgrounds, and to gain perspectives and connections that will continue to shape how I lead and serve.”
Ryan also served as president of the 69th graduating class, becoming the first participant from Maine to hold that role.
“I am incredibly proud to have represented Maine throughout this journey,” added Ryan. “The conversations, shared challenges, encouragement, and friendships helped me grow both personally and professionally. I returned home with a broader perspective, a deeper appreciation for the credit union movement, and genuine excitement about applying what I learned to positively impact our movement here in Maine and in communities beyond our state.”
Throughout their three years in the program, Shorey, Rogeski, Ryan, and Dobson contributed through their leadership, collaboration, classroom engagement, and commitment to the credit union movement. Together, they represented Maine with professionalism, humility, and a strong commitment to the cooperative values that distinguish credit unions.
Their achievement also speaks to something larger. Developing strong leaders is essential to the continued success of Maine’s credit unions and the members and communities they serve. Programs such as Credit Union Management School give professionals an opportunity to strengthen their skills while learning from peers who face many of the same challenges and opportunities in their own organizations.
That investment in leadership development continues, with eight additional Maine credit union professionals currently enrolled in Credit Union Management School.
Year 1 participants include:
- Jason Cormier, VP Lending, Maine State CU
- Raymond Mayhew, VP IT Operations, Maine Savings FCU
- Brett Speed, Assistant Vice President of Lending/Operations, Maine Savings FCU
Year 2 participants include:
- Dustin Graham, Retail Services Manager, The County FCU
- Lisa Fournier, SVP Operations, Maine Savings FCU
- Dan Leeman, VP of Service Center & Delivery Channels, Ancorum CU
- Dana Sibley, AVP, Retail Services Manager, The County FCU
- Beth Wood, Chief Operations Officer, Midcoast FCU
With four professionals graduating this year and eight more progressing through the program, Maine continues to have a strong presence at Credit Union Management School. Their participation reflects the quality of leadership within Maine’s credit union community and the continued commitment of credit unions and industry partners to investing in the people who will help lead the movement into the future.
Congratulations to Bridgette, Dennis, Mitch, and Taylor on this outstanding achievement, and best wishes to Maine’s current enrollees as they continue their journey through Credit Union Management School.