By John B. Lund, 

I’m extremely fortunate to live in a small, rural mountain town where the air is clean, the scenery is beautiful, and the people are friendly, hard-working & service-oriented. Lovely patriotic scenes are painted on the sides of two local barns, illustrating pride of country and patriotism.

The community is also known for our annual Independence Day celebration held in and around the park. A flag-raising ceremony marks the sunrise, followed by 5K and 10K races, a delicious freshly cooked breakfast, and a parade around the town square. There are games for the kids, local works of art, crafts, a patriotic program, music, and lots of food is available throughout the day. Our Fourth of July culminates with a fantastic display of fireworks.

This year, my wife was asked to help with the planning and coordination of the parade. It is a real down-home event, featuring children on bicycles, family-decorated floats, marching school bands & cheer squads, vintage tractors and cars, American Legionnaires, horses, fire engines, police vehicles, candy tossed to the kids, and a local citizen being honored as grand marshal.

The parade theme for 2017 is United We Stand—three simple but powerful words. United means acting in harmony as a single unit. We is descriptive of a collective group. To me, Stand denotes life, accomplishment, being steadfast, integrity, and purpose. Individuals are different in many ways, but working together, we become much more powerful and better off as families, neighbors, communities, and as a nation.

I am so grateful for those who continue to stand united in preserving our freedoms, opportunity, peace, and security. To honor this great nation and our servicemen and servicewomen each summer is most certainly appropriate.

America First Credit Union was founded in 1939 by a group of 59 pioneering individuals who also stood united to improve the economic well-being of one another. Since those humble beginnings, generations of individuals, families, and businesses have benefited from superior financial services, better rates on loans & deposits, premier technology, many free or low-cost services, tremendous convenience, and a sense of belonging.

On behalf of the dedicated volunteers and staff of America First, I thank you for your membership, loyalty, and allowing us to serve your complete financial needs. We look forward to a lifelong relationship.

By John B. Lund, 

It’s hard to believe 2017 is nearly halfway over. The year has brought some wonderful occurrences and I have much for which I am grateful. I also experienced significant sadness and heartache. Both my brother and my youngest sister passed away unexpectedly within a month of each other.

During Memorial Day weekend, I visited their graves and those of other loved ones. While doing so, I paused with appreciation to think of the good times, lessons learned, and recollections that will last forever.

Our extended family has vacationed on a houseboat at Lake Powell for many years. These are precious memories, cherished by all. I owe my brother gratitude for getting us there in the first place and keeping the tradition going for so many years.

My sister was tremendously charitable and knew how to care for those hurting or suffering. Decades ago, I had major surgery that kept me in a body cast for six months. She instinctively knew what I needed, just how to care for me, and for her I will always be grateful.

Reflecting on my family always prompts amazement at my maternal grandmother and the changes she witnessed during her lifetime. Born in 1898 and passing away in 2000, there are probably not too many folks who lived through three different centuries! She saw the first automobiles being developed, listened to the radio in its infancy, watched the first generation of TVs, endured multiple wars, and lived through the Great Depression. She was additionally there for the tremendous advances & progress our country made in science, medicine, space exploration, technology, and countless other areas. There were many trials in her life, but she always remained positive and optimistic.

When my grandmother was in her late nineties, I once asked her what attributes contributed to her longevity. Without hesitation, she said, “Don’t worry about things you can’t control; and if you need to shed a tear, do it quickly and move on.†What profound advice from such a wise woman. We all have family, friends, teachers and others who influenced us for the better. My advice is to thank them while you still can and continue honoring them by how we live.

At America First, our mission is to simplify our members’ busy lives, save them money, and be a positive contributor to our communities. We strive to be more than an institution that accepts deposits, processes transactions, and provides loans. We want to be your full-service partner, helping you realize your financial dreams. We can assist you in developing budgets, establishing systematic savings programs, and responsibly managing debt. When borrowing is necessary, we offer great rates and terms. Choose us for guidance to plan your retirement, gain insurance coverage, make transactions in the manner you prefer, get the best in Visa® rewards, benefit from free mobile banking, and accomplish additional goals.

Further enhancements and offerings will be announced over the coming months. Thank you for the trust you place in America First Credit Union. We will continue working hard to deserve a lifelong relationship with you and your family.

By John B. Lund, 

Each spring, America First members gather to elect a volunteer Board of Directors to lead our credit union, renew our bond, and honor our legacy as a not-for-profit cooperative. The Board provides us with strategic guidance, ensuring our ongoing safety, soundness, and ability to deliver relevant financial value.

The process takes place at the annual meeting, which this year was held on April 18, 2017 in Ogden, Utah. Joining us were local officials, as well as credit union & industry representatives.

Kenlon W. Reeve, acting Chair of the Board Election Nominations Committee, oversaw the balloting, during which the membership chose James G. Wendler, Linda K. Carver, and Gil A. Miller to serve three-year terms. The Board subsequently maintained internal leadership roles, with Mr. Wendler as Chairman, Mrs. Carver as Vice Chair, and Mr. Reeve having the Secretary position.

Mr. Miller, a certified public & forensic accountant from Salt Lake City, is new to our Board and we welcome him. He has extensive expertise and experience. I look forward to working with him and his fellow volunteers as we embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

I would also like to personally extend my deepest gratitude to long-serving Board member Edwin G. Cline for his remarkable 42 years of dedicated service to America First. Ed is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and has made a significant contribution to the success of our credit union. His dear sweetheart Linda is also an outstanding individual and a friend to America First, as well as all who know her. Ed and Linda will be missed, but not forgotten.

Those on the Board give tremendously of their time and talents, without compensation, to benefit the credit union. They are truly dedicated to improving the financial health of every member and we are fortunate they are part of our team.

Our Loan Review and Supervisory Committees are also comprised of volunteers delivering much-needed services to the membership. The Loan Review Committee functions as an independent appeals avenue for members initially denied financing. The Supervisory Committee works with internal and external auditors to ensure fiscal and regulatory safety & soundness.

During his Chairman’s message, Mr. Wendler noted how many companies, including financial institutions, limit themselves by not seeking better ways to better meet the needs of those they serve. “We at America First are fueled by imagination, the desire to grow responsibly, and the knowledge that the ability to move beyond existing realms is not only preferable but necessary in a changing world,†he said.

Indeed, it’s a privilege to report that the strength, stability, innovative spirit, commitment to fiscal discipline, and lasting qualities of America First are in abundance. We are well positioned for a vibrant future and I am proud to be part this credit union. Together, we strive every day to help you, our valued members, save money, simplify your busy lives, and reach your unique financial objectives. It is our desire to develop and maintain a lifelong relationship with you and you families.