We’re thrilled to share our diverse line-up of speakers from some of the best known brands in our industry. Some you may know. Others you’ll be discovering for the first time here.
Lt. Col. (ret.) Waldo Waldman, The Wingman, is a Hall of Fame leadership speaker, executive coach, combat-decorated F-16 fighter pilot and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo. His new book, Commit, Commit! Break the Fear Barrier, Crush Uncertainty, Live a Life of Courage, explores what it takes to overcome fear, make courageous decisions and perform when the outcome is uncertain.
Waldo combines his experiences in the cockpit with real-world corporate sales, leadership and entrepreneurial experience to help organizations build cultures of courage, trust, collaboration and accountability. Having flown 65 combat missions while overcoming his own battles with fear and claustrophobia, he brings a unique perspective on leading through change, performing under pressure and taking action when the stakes are high.
A central message in Waldo’s inspirational keynotes is that you can’t reach your highest potential alone. Whether navigating uncertainty, breaking through fear or pursuing an important mission, success requires courage, commitment and trusted wingmen who will challenge you, support you and help you win when adversity strikes.
Waldo is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and an inductee into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame, one of the speaking profession’s highest honors. He speaks internationally for organizations including Marriott, Caterpillar, American Express, Cisco, Procter & Gamble, The Home Depot and The Denver Broncos. He has been featured on Fox & Friends, CNN, MSNBC, Inc. Magazine, and Harvard Business Review.
As Callahan & Associates’ chief collaboration officer, Jay Johnson plays an integral role in managing one of the firm’s key credit union service organization relationships: The Callahan Credit Union Financial Services Limited Partnership (CUFSLP), for which he serves as President.
When he’s not rubbing elbows with the industry’s most cooperatively minded leaders, Jay is facilitating strategic planning sessions with credit unions across the country, and learning firsthand about what’s on the minds of executive teams and boards.
Jay has spent his entire career in financial services, including more than 25 years at Callahan and nearly a decade at a top 20 bank. He served on the NACUSO Board of Directors for over 10 years and currently serves on the Board of NACUSO Business Services. After all that time, he is still struck by credit unions’ efforts to positively impact their communities and amplify the strength of the movement for maximum member benefit.
He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and holds Series 7, 24, 27 and 63 securities licenses. In addition to his leadership role at Callahan, Jay also is the president of Callahan Financial Services, a wholly owned broker/dealer that serves as general partner for CUFSLP.
As CEO of CU*Answers, Geoff Johnson brings a wealth of practical lending experience and industry knowledge to the table with 17 years in credit union leadership roles that oversaw the strategic direction of lending and sales in the following areas: commercial, consumer, credit card, indirect, participation, real estate, and all aspects of collections. Geoff Johnson was appointed the Chief Operations Officer of CU*Answers in 2014, promoted to President/COO in 2018, and selected by the CU*Answers Board of Directors to serve as the CUSO’s Chief Executive Officer in 2021.
Mr. Johnson is also a key partner and advocate of the cuasterisk.com network of credit union service organizations. He currently serves as board members of Xtend, a shared resources and consulting services CUSO, and eDOC Innovations, a nationwide leader in mobile enterprise digital transaction management (mDTM®) software. Geoff also serves on the CU Outdoors Board of Directors.
Since joining CU*Answers in 2005 as the Executive Vice President of Client Interactions, Geoff has worked closely in the growth and development of the Management Services teams including Earnings Edge, Lender*VP, AuditLink, Web Services, SettleMINT, and Imaging Solutions. Mr. Johnson has brought his love of the great outdoors into the business, fostering an attitude of appreciation for the work done and a desire to explore new paths for the organization.
Bob West is a results-driven executive with extensive experience in financial services and credit union leadership. Over his career, Bob has collaborated closely with boards, CEOs, and executive teams, driving growth, managing change, and delivering complex projects on time and within budget. His deep expertise spans operations, technology, and risk mitigation, with a focus on infusing innovation and efficiency into credit union processes.
Bob’s career includes credit union leadership roles in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, where he spearheaded IT, Lending, and operational initiatives for several multi-billion-dollar federal credit unions. As EVP/CIO and CTO, Bob has overseen lending, strategic planning, project management, IT, imaging, EFT card services, security, and facilities, consistently enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance. Bob has also worked for Fiserv for five years as a VP in account and service management within credit union solutions for all credit union customers of Fiserv.
A proud United States Air Force veteran, Bob brings passion and dedication to his role as CEO of CU*SOUTH. Leading with a collaborative, strategic, and visionary approach, he works alongside a team of seasoned professionals, serving as a coach, mentor, and advocate for innovation and growth.
