May Spotlight: Connie Miller, President/CEO of Icon Credit Union

Connie is currently the president/CEO of Icon Credit Union. Connie was honored as one of Idaho’s six CEOs of Influence in 2014 by the Idaho Business Review for her leadership, integrity, vision, commitment to excellence, diversity, and influence. Connie has led Icon Credit Union to a Top 200 Credit Union from almost 6,000 credit unions in the nation, and was recently named a recipient of Excellence in Finance for 2017 by the Idaho Business Review. 

Connie Miller graduated from Boise State University with a bachelor's in business administration in accountancy. She started her career at the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council, working for 12 years as their accountant.

(Read the full biography in May's Metro Connection newsletter.)
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Q&A with Connie Miller, President/CEO of Icon Credit Union

What is your favorite film?
​I don't watch movies, but when I do, I love wholesome movies with kids in them. "Field of Dreams" was an inspiring film.

What is the best book you've read recently?
"Curiously Strong" by Priscilla Giddings

What sport do you enjoy watching most?
BSU Bronco football, Eastern Washington University football (to be honest — mostly because my son, Jacob, is their video coordinator), and Sweet Sixteen basketball (I love rooting for the underdogs).

Who is the most interesting historical figure?
Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Guides in 1912. (The name changed to Girl Scouts in 1913.)

What is your favorite hobby or thing to do during the weekend?
Crafting wreaths, camping, and most recently exploring Idaho with our Razor side-by-side UTV.

Favorite Idaho escape?
Pine and Featherville amongst the pine trees by the river.

Favorite place in Boise to take a visitor?
MK Nature Center and Shoshone Falls.

What is the most important trend in your business or industry?
We continue to grow! We have a new location in Nampa at 12th and Maine and are excited about our new locations planned in the Treasure Valley. We are launching our robust business services department, too. We remain in top 2 percent of healthiest credit unions in the country!

What is the best advice you've received?
One would have to be "Right is right, even if no one else does it." –Juliette Gordon Low. The other would be when someone gossips about you or falsely accuses you of something, stay true to your values. You likely have something they want.

Who is a local business or business person you admire?
Terri Hughes, local executive coach and author of "Simple Shifts." Leadership takes courage. Terri effectively helps leaders uncover their blind spots to be a more effective leader.

What is the No. 1 reason to do business with your company or organization? 
We are local! Since 1952, Icon has striven to deliver an experience of financial success, with unique style at every stage of life for our members. We recognize that no two people have the same financial story, goals, or needs. Flexibility is important.

What do you enjoy most about your company or organization? 
It has been an incredible journey of over 20 years at Icon Credit Union (formerly named Idaho FCU), working for an organization that supports doing the right thing in financial services. Icon is part of an incredible cooperative movement in Idaho that provided $90 million in direct benefits to Idaho credit union consumers last year, and being a contributor in the nonprofit local cooperative credit union movement is truly a fulfilling part of my career. I'm proud that our organization is committed to volunteerism from our employees (more than 2,000 hours/year). I'm blessed today to work with a culture-rich employee base and truly am inspired by my amazing team on a daily basis. I'll always be invested in building leadership qualities, strong cultures, encouraging our youth, and serving on boards and nonprofits. Icon has always supported these efforts. I recently accepted an appointment to the Twelfth District of the Federal Reserve Bank Community Depository Financial Institution Advisory Council and will step up as State Board Chair for Junior Achievement this summer. I am excited for both opportunities to represent Idaho in building financial strength at many levels, from kids to the economy.

Tell us about a current or upcoming project or company-wide initiative.
We have a few great initiatives planned this year. One is building on our program serving the underserved in banking and establishing a credit builder program for zero score individuals. We're also expanding into Canyon County and planning more expansion in the Treasure Valley. Another important initiative is the launch of our robust business lending and business services platform later this year. In addition to these great initiatives that will serve the needs of current and future members of Icon, I also see the increased need to continue my ongoing presentations to community partners on topics of mission leadership, keeping drama out of the workplace, and building healthy and productive workplace cultures. Personally, I'm very excited to print my book about the ways employees can prevent sabotaging their careers. It's so close!