By Mary Beth Roach
When Jennifer Rupert began as a part-time teller with Compass Credit Union in 2002, she never imagined that she would today become CEO of the institution — the first woman to assume that post in the credit union’s 62-year history.
While she was working at the credit union, she started taking classes at SUNY Oswego, both in-person and online and earned her degree in accounting in 2007.
“It really, really clicked for me,” she said.
At the time she received that degree, she was a loan officer with Compass. She thought that perhaps she would eventually become the head of the loan department. However, when the position of CEO opened up about four years ago, Rupert said she applied, was interviewed and was named to the position.
In her 20-plus years at Compass, she has worked at every level, becoming a loan officer in 2006 and senior loan officer in 2017.
Looking ahead, Rupert said she wants to build on the success that her predecessors had had and would like Compass to become a “larger player” in Oswego County.
“I’m just looking forward to successfully growing, offering more services to members and giving more back to the community,” she said.
She wants to grow the Bank at School program in both Oswego and Fulton schools, which is an initiative to provide students with financial education. At the beginning of the school year, students are able to open up accounts and then volunteers and employees go to the schools one day a month and accept deposits from the students, she explained.
For members, a new website and app have been launched. Compass will soon be able to have new customers open an account online and while construction of its Fulton branch was done before Rupert became CEO, its opening in 2020 was just a few months after she was promoted to that position.
She also plans to continue Compass’ commitment to giving back to the community. She cited some of its programs, including toy and food drives, a movie night and a visit from Santa at the holidays. She also pointed out that the credit union was recently named the Oswego County Opportunities’ Donor of the Year.
To serve as CEO is something for which Rupert is grateful.
“Not that long ago, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to run this institution and be a part of this team,” she said.
What’s more, she sees her role as a lesson to her 7-year-old daughter.
“Being the CEO is showing my own daughter that women can be in charge of things too. Whatever she wants to be, she can be,” she said.
