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10/25/2018

CSS Board welcomes new directors

Jason Sentes of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union and Heather Ryan of Federated Co-operatives Limited

Jason Sentes, President and CEO of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union in Lethbridge, AB sure has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the credit union system. Having spent the last 26 years of his career amassing knowledge through education and involvement in various financial capacities across different credit unions, he is an asset to the Co-operative Superannuation Society (CSS) Board.

Jason first became a CSS delegate in 2012 and was re-elected to the Board in April 2018.

“With my background in finance and experience in the credit union system, financial independence has always intrigued me. With this interest and the successful history of the CSS Plan, it is a good fit for me,” Jason says.

Jason began his career in 1992 as the Financial Officer/MSR at Sherwood Credit Union, where he worked for five years before taking the position of Chief Financial Officer at Foam Lake Savings and Credit Union. In 1999, Jason moved to Castlegar Savings and Credit Union to manage the financial and investment portfolio of the credit union for three years.

In 2002, Jason joined 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union as the Vice-President Finance and for 13 years, he actively participated in risk management and strategic development before becoming the President and CEO in 2016.

Jason’s record of success won him the CMA Awards of Excellence Business Leadership and Strategic Achievement from the Certified Management Accountants of Alberta in 2006.

With a deep interest in continuous learning, Jason has earned several certifications over the years. He holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) designation from the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and he is an Associate of the Credit Union Institute of Canada (ACUIC). Additionally, he holds a Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation from the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) and most recently, he became a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) through the International Foundation of Employee Benefits and Dalhousie University.


Jason Sentes, President and CEO of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union in Lethbridge, AB

Jason Sentes,

President and CEO,
1st Choice Savings and Credit Union,
Lethbridge, AB

Heather Ryan

Heather Ryan,
Vice-President, Human Resources,
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL)

“I already have an appreciation that the management team fully understands the importance of meeting the needs of the members and ensuring that the CSS Pension Plan remains relevant and current in terms of its provisions and services,” responded Heather Ryan, Vice-President, Human Resources at Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), when asked about her thoughts on the future direction of the Plan.


Heather was recently appointed by FCL to replace Brad Bauml as FCL employer delegate after Brad’s retirement, and the Co-operative Superannuation Society (CSS) Board appointed Heather a director,  effective July 1, 2018.

At the early stage of her career, Heather had worked with FCL from 1996 to 2000 as a Human Resources Training Officer and Human Resources Officer.

Having gained extensive experience in human relations management over the years across various organizations, including the Saskatchewan Research Council and POS Bio-Sciences among others, Heather rejoined FCL in September 2013 as Director, Human Resources Advisory Services and was appointed Vice-President, Human Resources on November 1, 2015.

As a member of FCL’s senior leadership team, she contributes to the overall strategic direction of FCL, fosters productive relationships within the business, co-operative and local communities, and collaboratively leads initiatives and relationships within the Co-operative Retailing System.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and received her CPHR (Chartered Professionals in Human Resources) designation in 2002.

As a member of the Plan, Heather says, “I’ve always had faith in the Plan due to its very positive historical results,” but now, through the lens of a Board member, she sees the mechanics and due diligence that occur behind the scenes; and she’s enjoying being able to understand the Plan from the perspective of her new role.

Article from the fall 2018 issue of TimeWise