IFCU Annual Meeting
Save the Date:
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
River City Community Center
2842 Old U.S. 231
Lafayette, IN 47909
Hors d’oeuvres and Financial Fair. PLUS! Raffle drawings throughout the meeting!
More details to come!
The Nominating Committee nominated three individuals to be elected as Directors at the Annual Meeting: Jay Cocanower, Jim Hardison who is a current Director, and Mick Maris who is also a current Director.
This Year’s Nominees Are:
JAY COCANOWER: Jay Cocanower has been a dedicated member of IFCU since May 2002 and brings extensive experience in quality engineering and leadership. He has been with SIA since 1989 and currently serves as a Supplier Quality Senior Engineer. Jay holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Supervisory from Purdue University and is an ASQC Certified Quality Technician.
Beyond his professional career, Jay and his wife, Sharon Cocanower, own and operate Big Pine Creek Alpacas. Sharon, a retired IFCU employee of 19 years, served the credit union until June 2016. Jay’s combined experience in quality management, leadership, and small business ownership positions him as a strong candidate for the IFCU Board of Directors, who are committed to supporting the credit union and its members.
JIM HARDISON: Jim Hardison was appointed to the IFCU Board in March 2018. He is a life-long resident of Tippecanoe County and a graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He retired in September 2016 as Vice President of Human Resources for Indiana Packers Corporation after 30 years in the Human Resources field. Jim also previously served as the Chairman of the American Meat Institute’s (AMI) Human Resources Committee and was Chairman for Indiana’s Region 4 Workforce Investment Board, which represented 12 counties in North Central Indiana. He was hand selected to sit as an initial member for Immigration and Naturalization Service’s Basic Pilot Program (now known as E-Verify) Advisory Panel from 1996 to 2002.
MICK MARIS: Mick graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, specializing in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. In addition, he holds a certificate in supervision from AMS Institute. He has been a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources since 2003.
Mick recently completed 11 years in his current position as the Human Resources Manager at the ZF Plant in Lafayette. Mick has held various management positions in HR over the last 31 years.
Mick is currently assisting his wife grow her small business.
Mick has served on the board of directors since June 2022. He also served as a member of the IFCU Supervisory Committee from September 2017 - June 2022.
Mick is married and has one grown child. Mick and his family were raised in the Greater Lafayette area and continue to reside there. Golfing is Mick’s favorite hobby, and he can frequently be found at a local golf course.
Nominations for vacancies may also be made by petition signed by 1% of the members with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 500. The number of members as of December 31, 2024 was 31,541; therefore, a minimum of 315 member signatures are required. This petition, along with a brief statement of qualifications and biographical data on the nominee must be submitted to the Secretary no later than May 8, 2025. To be effective, nominations by petition must be accompanied by a signed certificate from the nominee or nominees stating that they are agreeable to nomination and will serve if elected to office. Members must be at least 18 years of age by the date of the meeting in order to vote at meetings of the members, hold elective or appointive office or sign nominating petitions.
Petitions must be sent to: Mick Maris, Secretary, Industrial Federal Credit Union, 1115 Sagamore Parkway South, Lafayette, IN 47905
The election will not be conducted by ballot and there will be no nominations from the floor when the number of nominees equals the number of positions to be filled.
Meet Ross!
Ross the Robot was born as just a little gear in 1954, coming from a long lineage of robots who originated in the guard shack at Ross Gear. With each new generation, technological advances evolved, to form the Ross we know today. Ross’ toolbox has constantly been refitted as demands change in this ever-evolving world. While Ross’ appearance has changed since his first origination, he is still the same Robot-at-heart. Ross is fueled by the requests and services provided to our members. He lives his best robot life and renews his charge every time he’s able to assist IFCU members, of every age. As times and needs change, Ross stays ahead of the game while shifting and molding to fit our member’s needs as best as possible. IFCU’s constant investment in technology really puts Ross in robot motion. Ross loves to be a reminder that IFCU products and services can be accessed from virtually anywhere, to be used by our members at their convenience. The future and possibilities of Ross and IFCU are endless. Let’s see how bright we can shine!
Who We Are
As a member-owned financial institution, our priority and mission is to provide quality financial services that consistently exceed expectations and mutually benefit our members and their credit union.
The Credit Union Difference
A credit union is a financial cooperative composed solely of member-owners who share the philosophy of “not for profit, but for service.” Unlike some financial institutions, the people on our volunteer Board of Directors are member-owners, who work in the best interest of other fellow member-owners. Since the Board of Directors are volunteers, profits are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, low or no-fee products and services, and higher savings rates.
Members at a credit union are member-owners because his or her deposit represents a share of ownership; however at a bank, the owners are typically small groups of investors. Credit union members are united by a common bond of membership.
Financial markets fluctuate over time. When the market dips, banks tend to either raise loan interest rates or close altogether. Credit unions rely on financial reserves to absorb unexpected losses, so members are protected when times get tough. Also, IFCU is insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. government agency, for deposits up to $250,000.
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Our Mission
As a member-owned financial institution, our priority is to provide quality financial services that consistently exceed expectations and mutually benefit our members and their credit union.
Our Vision
Our vision is to serve as our member’s primary financial institution by tailoring products and services that meet their financial goals and objectives.
Making a difference. Sharing the benefits.
Our Difference
Our Board of Directors are members of IFCU too, and work hard to incorporate the philosophy " not for profit, but for service."
Members at a credit union are member-owners because their deposit represents a share of ownership; however at a bank, the owners are typically small groups of investors. Credit union members are united by a common bond of membership.
Our Commitment
IFCU's employees give freely of their time, talents, and energy throughout the year by contributing to several great causes.
With the credit union philosophy of "people helping people" in mind, IFCU believes in giving back to the communities around us. We’re dedicated to helping better our communities through a wide variety of sponsorship and education programs. Through financial contributions, resource donations, and staff volunteering; IFCU supports several events in our community.
Our History
The employees of Ross Gear (now TRW Ross Gear Division) originally chartered Industrial Federal Credit Union (IFCU) in 1954. It was their desire to lay the foundation for a financial institution owned and directed by its own members. Originally located in a tiny office on the Ross Gear premises at 800 Heath Street in Lafayette, the credit union offered savings accounts and small personal loans. Although our services and locations continue to expand, we're still directed by the philosophy of our founding members—service to our members. It's the reason we're here. Today, it is still owned by its shareholders, others like you who have a credit union account. Membership remains exclusive to those affiliated with IFCU and their immediate family members. Membership is forever, even if you leave the employer through whom you joined IFCU.
Since its modest beginning in 1954 your credit union has grown to over $300 million in assets offering full service banking to over 30,000 members. Your credit union succeeds through its mission of building valued member relationships by delivering convenient, personalized banking solutions.
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IFCU's Volunteer Board of Directors:
- Albert L. Davis, Jr. - Chairperson
- Jerry Reynolds - Vice Chairperson
- Travis Duell - Financial Officer
- Mick Maris - Secretary
- Pam Thompson - Director
- Kimberly Byers - Director
- Jim Hardison - Director
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AND SHAPING THE FUTURE OF YOUR CREDIT UNION?
Provide your contact information, and we will reach out to you.