Scott Dobson joined Consumers Credit Union as a business services manager, but quickly transitioned from closing business loans to sharing financial education tips as Consumers’ @Work program manager.

“About five years ago, I was asked to revive our Consumers @Work program,” Scott explains. “It has grown from an idea to help some businesses’ employees to a major checking account acquisition strategy for the credit union,” Scott says. “And, I’m very proud of the program’s success and the people that I get to work with every day.”

With 20 years of experience helping people with their finances, Scott has all the tools to guide members to a better financial lifestyle.

“Because I’ve been working with people and their finances for more than 20 years—from every walk of life—I’ve seen the struggles a single parent making $10 an hour faces, and I’ve also seen the struggles of business owners who need $50,000 in cash every week to stay afloat,” Scott says.

“I can empathize with both, and I think that suits me well for my position at the credit union in helping both large businesses with hundreds of employees—and, at the very same time, helping the one member do his or her best with one paycheck.”

Being involved in the community is also very important to Scott. He is a member of the Kalamazoo Human Resource Management Association, as well as a former Rotary member. Apart from his community affiliations, bicycling keeps Scott busy in his free time.

“I like all things fast!” Scott says. “I’ve road raced motorcycles in my 20s and 30s at racetracks all over the country and had a great time. I also crashed several times at over 100 mph and written off a couple of very nice motorcycles, so I’ve switched to riding bicycles.

“My family has about nine bikes in our garage right now, and I’ve done the Make-A-Wish three-day 300-mile charity bike ride five times now.”

With years and years of experience, there is one key piece of advice Scott will always use in his professional and personal life.

“The single best piece of advice I ever got was from my Dad.”

“‘Son, it’s not what happens, but how you take it that counts,’” Scott recalls. “As I became wiser, I guess, I now know what he means—that your own mental attitude drives where your life is going, and that while things are going to happen no matter what, it’s how you handle those things that really has the effect.”