Guiding Employees with Knowledge & Experience

Westmark Credit Union was founded in 1954 as Atomic Workers Credit Union by eleven Idaho National Engineering Laboratory employees, with a single location in Idaho Falls. Most of the credit union's business was initially conducted in the basement or house of different Board Members or members. Their first office was opened in Idaho Falls in 1964. The Blackfoot Office was established in 1975. 1976 the First Street Office was built, and the first Pocatello location was established in 1977. A merger with Amidaway Credit Union facilitated the opening of its Westside Idaho Falls Branch in 1982, followed by another merger with Motran Credit Union shortly after that.

The credit union obtained a Federal Charter in 1984 and became the Atomic Workers Federal Credit Union. As the membership diversified, the name was changed to Westmark Federal Credit Union in 1987. In 1989, Alliance Federal Credit Union and KID Credit Union members merged with Westmark to increase the membership to over 29,000 members and seven conveniently located branches in Southeastern Idaho. In 1998, Westmark applied for and obtained a State Charter and became Westmark Credit Union. The credit union opened its first branch in the Boise area in 2004. The credit union now has five branches in the Boise area and one in Twin Falls, bringing its branch network to a total of 15. Westmark currently provides service to over 75,000 members.

Polly Simpson, Chief Marketing Officer of Westmark Credit Union, is glad to be part of such a brilliant organization and is always looking for innovative and futuristic ways to grow the credit union’s brand and membership base. Whether this is through new technology or offering products and services that are attractive to current and future credit union members.

When guiding and motivating her immediate team, Polly always asks what they think or what they would do concerning any situation that may present itself. After hearing their response, Polly shares her opinion or decision with them and why she came to the same conclusion. “I feel this exercise helps them learn to make decisions on their own, while also enticing them to think about all aspects of the decision they are about to make and how it will affect others or the credit union as a whole,” explains Polly, who inspires her team to be “more” and to always look for ways to innovate their respective areas. She always tells her team that their individual positions and areas can be as prominent as they want to make them.

“I did not start in marketing with the credit union. However, once this became my role, I grasped the opportunity to learn and broaden my horizons from all directions. Whether that was gaining knowledge from marketing professionals or obtaining knowledge from various sales reps across a wide array of media channels,” explains Polly. “It took me at least five years to feel completely comfortable in my new role.

I advise everyone never to think you know everything because things change rapidly in the marketing world, and when you think you are on top of it, you will need to switch gears and move in a different direction.” With this mindset, Polly has been taking the credit union to new heights.

Westmark Credit Union is a financial institution whose mission is to grow the credit union as a whole. Hence, Polly, as part of the marketing team, is always searching for ways to accomplish the mission. “I currently have a team of five that work directly under my leadership. My main personal goal is to advance this group as far as I can prior to my retirement,” elucidates Polly. “I want them to be great leaders for our credit union and in general! Westmark Credit Union’s future looks bright. We have a great management team that continues to look for ways to improve, innovate, and grow the credit union.”

For Polly, being in a role of leadership is a very important job. “If you do it correctly, people will want to follow you and work for you. If you do not do it correctly, no one will follow you no matter how high of a leadership position you have,” she adds. “They may do the work, but the cooperation level and willingness to perform is not the same. Hence, I always strive to give my best.”