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Meet our Board of Directors
Brent Baier
District 1
Rick Graff
District 1
Linda Gramlich
Macklin Credit Union
Board Appointment
Melanie Mari
District 1
Tom Schinold
District 1
Carolyn Young
District 1
C. Neil Carruthers
District 2
Faith Graham
District 3
Don Wheler
Board Chairperson
District 3
Lorne Janzen
District 4
Dean Roberts
District 4
Brent Baier
District 1
Board of Directors
Brent is the founder and Co-CEO of Iron Will Innovations and inventor of the Peregrine Glove, a wearable technology interface. In 2005 he graduated with Distinction from Lakeland College, with a Computer Systems Technology diploma. He has extensive experience in business and entrepreneurship in the areas of prototyping, patenting, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, fundraising, and management with business travel taking him to the US, China, Europe and the Middle East. He is now focusing on the virtual reality industry with the new Peregrine VR Glove.
Brent is a lifelong credit union member and in 2012 joined the board of Synergy. He strongly believes in the member-owned cooperative philosophy and the positive impact credit unions have on their communities.
Brent grew up on a farm near Macklin, Saskatchewan. In 2015 he achieved his goal of winning the World Bunnock Championship, a tournament he has competed in since his youth. He is happily married to his wife Cherene and has three children.
Rick Graff
District 1
Board of Directors
Rick is a lifelong member of the Lloydminster/Synergy Credit Union and has served as a director since 1996. During the past 26 years he has been involved in various committees and has chaired the Audit, Risk and Building committees. He also spent 3 years as a delegate to the Saskatchewan Credit Union Central.
Rick has proudly served the Lloydminster and Hillmond communities, volunteering for numerous and varied functions and fundraiser events. Rick served many years as a First Responder for the RM of Britannia, as well was involved in helping plan and build the new Hillmond arena and serving as a minor hockey volunteer.
Rick has a financial background and over 30 years of sales and management experience. Currently he is a REALTOR® licensed to trade in Commercial, Residential and Rural real estate along with Property Management in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and is registered with the Real Estate Centre brokerage in Lloydminster.
Linda Gramlich
Macklin Credit Union
Board Appointment
Board of Directors
Linda was appointed to the Board of Directors in July 2020 when Macklin Credit Union amalgamated with Synergy. Linda has extensive financial industry experience both as an employee and board member, working for Border Credit Union (now Servus Credit Union) as a teller and in their accounting department, and as a lender at Scotiabank. Linda embraces the credit union culture and strives to protect and nurture its cooperative values at the boardroom level.
Continually since 1992, Linda has served on Macklin Credit Union’s Board, as Vice President as well as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for several years. Presently, she serves on Synergy’s HR Committee, and is Chairman of the Risk Committee. Like other members of Synergy’s board, she is a lifelong learner. She is a graduate of the Credit Union Director’s Achievement Program, and in March of 2021 Linda became an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director. In April of 2021 Linda was honored with the SaskCentral Order of Merit Award.
Linda is a strong community supporter, including being one of the founding members of, and serving on the World Bunnock Championship Committee for 10 years. She is also Past President of the Macklin Kinette Club, and past Secretary Treasurer of Macklin Minor Sports and the Arena Board.
While raising her family, Linda also managed the accounting for their small oilfield business in Macklin. In 2005, she took on a new role, and moved onto a farm north of Macklin. She and her husband Patrick own and operate a large cattle ranch.
Melanie Mari
District 1
Board of Directors
Melanie was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016 and is a former employee of Synergy Credit Union. Melanie continues her career in finance as a controller with Tryton Tool Services. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Calgary and earned a Credit Union Fellowship designation while employed at Synergy. In 2019, Melanie obtained an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director designation and is committed to broadening her finance and leadership education.
Melanie is passionate about financial literacy and is proud to be a part of an organization that promotes financial well-being for its members.
Melanie believes her education and credit union involvement serve her well in the role of director and is committed to taking an active part in the future of the credit union and the community.
Tom Schinold
District 1
Board of Directors
Tom was elected to the Board in 2015 and has served on the Audit, Risk and Building Committees and currently serves on the Audit and Governance Committees. Tom holds a Bachelor of Administration degree (majoring in accounting and finance) as well as a Diploma of Public Administration both from the University of Regina. In 2019, Tom obtained an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director designation.
Tom retired from the Catholic School Division, Chief Financial Officer position in 2015, wherein he oversaw finance, facilities, transportation and project managed school capital building projects. Additionally, Tom has served on numerous community committees and organizations in leadership roles, such as chairman of the St. Anthony’s Church finance committee and a founding member of Border City Optimist Club.
Tom has been a Lloydminster resident since 1991 and became a Synergy Credit Union member shortly thereafter. Tom strongly believes in the benefits the credit union provides the communities they serve.
Tom is married to Michelle, has a daughter and a son and two grandchildren.
Carolyn Young
District 1
Board of Directors
Carolyn grew up in Raymore Saskatchewan. In 2001 Carolyn, her husband and five children moved to Lloydminster. She holds a CMA/CPA designation and is employed with Cenovus Energy, Accounting Department. Previously, she worked 10 years at Servus Credit Union, in various positions including Accounting Department Management. One of her passions is coaching which she has demonstrated as part of a CPA Student mentor program.
Carolyn is community oriented and believes in promoting the great things Lloydminster has to offer, giving back to the community in various ways. Carolyn and her husband Richard, donate both their time and a portion of the proceeds to many worthwhile community organizations via their personal small businesses.
In 2020, Carolyn achieved her Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director status. She is a longtime credit union member and believes her personal and professional experiences are assets to the Board of Directors.
C. Neil Carruthers
District 2
Board of Directors
Elected to the Board in 2012, Neil obtained an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director Status in 2015. Currently Neil serves as the Chairperson of the Human Resources Committee.
Neil is a strong supporter of Synergy’s ProfitShares Program where our members benefit from a well-run business. Neil also believes that members should have choices of how they bank, be it online or in branch or a combination of both.
Neil holds a Degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan and has spent the last 30 years in the Animal Health Industry. Currently Neil is the Regional Business Manager for Merck. Neil was a founding Director on Zoetis Canada Pension Board as well as a past Leader for the Paradise Hill 4 H club.
When the work week is done, Neil enjoys getting back to his roots and running their farm with wife Gail and two daughters in the Frenchman Butte and Biggar areas.
Faith Graham
District 3
Board of Directors
Faith joined the Synergy Credit Union Board of Directors in 2020 and currently serves on the Audit Committee. Faith has extensive business and board experience, with over 40 years of business experience as the prior co-owner and Secretary-Treasurer of Grubby’s Trucking Ltd. as well as over 20 years of board experience as a Trustee for the Northwest School Division.
Faith believes in lifelong learning and is working towards obtaining an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director Designation to gain an understanding and exposure to the credit union’s governing bodies and the impact they have on our communities as well as working with them for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Faith and her spouse are longtime residents of the Neilburg area, having raised their family in the community. They believe community service is a lifelong endeavor and look forward to discovering innovative ways to serve in our ever-changing environment.
Don Wheler
Board Chairperson
District 3
Board of Directors
Don joined the Synergy Credit Union Board in 1998 and has served as Board Chair since 2016. Don was the founding director for the Northwest Leadership Academy and formerly an educator with the Battle River and Northwest School Divisions. He also served as president of both the Saskatchewan and the Canadian Student Leadership Associations.
Don is committed to life-long-learning having achieved a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan, an ‘Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director’ designation as well as a ‘Certified Director’ designation from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management. In 2020 Don received the Saskatchewan Credit Union Director Order of Merit Award.
Don believes in building strong communities within the Synergy family. He encourages collaboration, cooperation, and ethical leadership as foundations to serve members wherever they live. He strives to contribute to meeting the challenges of the ever-changing credit union landscape.
Lorne Janzen
District 4
Board of Directors
Lorne served on the Kindersley & District Credit Union Board of Directors from 1995 to 2007. From 2007 to 2016, Lorne served as a Kindersley Branch Advisory Council member before joining Synergy Credit Union’s Board April 2016. He currently serves on the Human Resources and Risk Committees. Lorne believes in lifelong learning and in November 2020 he obtained an ‘Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director’ designation.
Lorne is retired after a 36-year career at Saskatchewan Government Insurance claims division, wherein he attained a Chartered Insurance Professional designation. Lorne continually furthers his knowledge with regular Credit Union Board training and maintains his Chartered Insurance Professional designation to stay well informed of both credit union and insurance related developments.
Lorne has experience in both community and public service, having served 10 years as a Kindersley town councilor. Lorne is a proud, lifetime Kinsmen Club member. He also served on a humanitarian mission to Kenya in 2013.
Lorne enjoys biking, camping, golfing, and travelling to new places, but he most enjoys spending time with his family, especially his five grandchildren, as well as volunteering his time to various organizations to make his community a better place.
Dean Roberts
District 4
Board of Directors
Dean grew up on a farm near Coleville, Saskatchewan. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He then returned to Coleville to take over the family farm. His focus has been on building a sustainable and environmentally responsible business plan that ensures both the long- and short-term viability of the farm. Dean enjoys attending different conferences over the year to discuss and debate the issues and opportunities facing the farm industry.
Dean was elected as a councillor for the RM of Oakdale in 2019 and has been enjoying the new experiences that municipal government provides. He is currently working on completing the Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP) to better serve his community.
Dean has been a lifelong member of the Credit Union system, starting with the original “Fat Cat” account. Dean joined the Synergy Board of Directors in 2014.
Meet our Executive Team
Meet our Executive Team
Glenn Stang
Chief Executive Officer
Brent Bergen
Chief Operating Officer
Trevor Beaton
Chief Innovation & People Officer
Christine Tucker
Chief Financial Officer
Jason Wang
Chief Risk Officer
Glenn Stang
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Team
Hello, my name is Glenn Stang.
I am proud to be the Chief Executive Officer leading the dynamic team at Synergy Credit Union.
I have been blessed with a great executive team and employees who rally around Synergy's vision while working closely with the board to carry out our organization's objectives. My nearly 40 years in the credit union system have been tremendous.
I believe in lifelong learning. In 2015, I received my Certified Chief Executive Designation via CUES (Credit Union Executive Society) and in 2018 achieved my Professional Director Designation from Governance Solutions Inc. (Pro.Dir). I have also had the opportunity to sit on the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) Board for the past two years and have sat on Celero’s Board, which is a tri-provincial technology board, the past four years. I have seen how our credit union and credit union system has adapted to the evolving financial industry and I am excited about what's in store.
Being involved is an important value at Synergy and we encourage our staff to help in their communities. Away from work, I have been a part of several organizations, including the Kinsmen, KidSport Lloydminster, Lloydminster Economic Development, Lloydminster Interval Home, Streetscapes, Wheatland Regional Centre and the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce political action committee.
Contact me today to:
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- Voice a concern
- Share a success story
- Voice a concern
Email: Glenn.Stang@synergycu.ca
Brent Bergen
Chief Operating Officer
Executive Team
Hello, my name is Brent Bergen.
I am thrilled to work with the team at Synergy Credit Union in my role as Chief Operating Officer.
My background within the credit union system spans 28 years in seven different credit unions across Saskatchewan and Alberta. I joined Synergy Credit Union in September 2007 as Regional Manager, moved to Manager of Retail, and was selected as Chief Operating Officer in January 2013.
I completed the Strategy, Operations Leadership and Enterprise Management programs at the Queen's School of Business in the Leadership Foundations Program, and received certification from the Queen's Executive Development Centre in April 2013.
Within the community, I am a committee member of the Saskatchewan HeadStart on a Home program, a committee member of the Lloydminster Community Housing Initiative Program and a board member of the Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation.
Contact me today to:
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- Voice a concern
- Share a Success Story
- Voice a concern
Email: Brent.Bergen@synergycu.ca
Trevor Beaton
Chief Innovation & People Officer
Executive Team
Hello, my name is Trevor Beaton, B.Comm.
As the Chief Innovation and People Officer at Synergy Credit Union, I am a progressive and innovative leader translating strategy into tangible results for staff and members. I lead Synergy's teams with responsibilities in Marketing, Human Resource, Information Technology, and Project Management.
I have been involved in the financial industry for over 23 years, with the last 22 being at Synergy Credit Union. Our team is dedicated to bringing you the best financial services and top-level experience every time you use one of our products or visit us in-branch.
I am proud of our staff, who are very involved in the community. In support of my values and Synergy's culture, I am an active coach of youth sports, and have served on various community boards and committees in the area.
Contact me today to:
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- Voice a concern
- Share a success story
- Voice a concern
Email: Trevor.Beaton@synergycu.ca
Christine Tucker
Chief Financial Officer
Executive Team
Hello, my name is Christine Tucker.
I am thrilled to work with all of our Synergy teams as the Chief Financial Officer.
My background within the credit union system spans more than 20 years. I joined Synergy Credit Union in April 1999 as an Account Manager in Lashburn. Since then I have held many roles, including Branch Manager, Regional Manager, Manager of Retail and in July 2018 was promoted to Chief Financial Officer.
I am a CPA, CMA and with Synergy have continued my passion for continuous learning and achieved the Associate of the Credit Union Institute of Canada (ACUIC) designation through Dalhousie University. I am also a certified facilitator of our internal cultural training programs at Synergy.
Away from work, I serve on the Board of Midwest Family Connections and I am the Finance chair here in Lloydminster.
Contact me today to::
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- Voice a concern
- Share a success story
- Voice a concern
Jason Wang
Chief Risk Officer
Executive Team
Hello, my name is Jason Wang, CFA®.
I am thrilled to lead a talented team at Synergy Credit Union as the Chief Risk Officer. After receiving my MBA in 2003, I have held various positions in the financial services industry, focusing on risk management and analytics.
I have worked with banks, a credit card company, a credit bureau, and an emerging fintech. These roles helped me complete my understanding of wide-ranging consumer needs in the modern financial system.
I have extensive experience in creating and managing risk-related strategies, including policy making, risk tolerance setting and monitoring, risk committee, stress testing, and much more.
I volunteer in various financial literacy initiatives, including serving on the CFA Society Toronto's Communications Committee.
Contact me today to:
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- Voice a concern
- Share a success story
- Voice a concern
Email: Jason.Wang@synergycu.ca
Annual Reports
Director Elections
Would you like to get more involved in your credit union? For more information on the next call for nominations contact us.
