Routing #: 325272063

About Us

Founded in 1952, Alaska is our one and only home. We’re proud of our roots, ready for the future, and here to serve Alaskans every step of the way.

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Local and Loyal Since 1952

Our mission is simple: help members achieve their financial goals through exceptional service and value.

Rooted solely in Alaska, we’re focused on growing in ways that matter — expanding resources, elevating the member experience, and deepening our impact in the communities we serve.

We are Alaskans helping Alaskans, and we’re proud to do so.

 

History of Credit Union 1

In 2022, Credit Union 1 proudly marked 70 years of service. From our start as Anchorage Teachers Federal Credit Union in 1952, we’ve grown alongside Alaska, supporting our members through statehood, economic shifts and generations of change.

Built on the foundation of “people first,” we have expanded through thoughtful growth and strategic mergers to become today's Credit Union 1: a statewide, not-for-profit financial cooperative. With 15 branches from Kotzebue to Ketchikan, we serve nearly 100,000 Alaskans and remain committed to empowering every member we serve.

1952

Anchorage Teachers Federal Credit Union is founded.

1979

Now called Alaska School Employees Credit Union, a Soldotna Branch opens.

1982

The credit union becomes Frontier Alaska State Credit Union with a new expanded field of membership. Anyone living or working in Alaska can join.

1983

Leslie Ellis is named general manager of Frontier Alaska State Credit Union.

1985

Frontier is the first credit union in Alaska to offer credit cards.

1986

Frontier offers members 24/7 account access by phone.

1987

Named after a longtime board member, the 1st annual Bill Countryman Scholarships are awarded.

1995

FedAlaska Federal Credit Union (founded in 1948) merges with Frontier, creating Credit Union 1.

1998

Credit Union 1 offers members check cards and online bill payments. Online banking services are offered.

2004

North Country Credit Union (founded in 1952) merges into Credit Union 1. Two new Fairbanks branches are built and Credit Union 1 extends into Nome.

2005

We celebrate 10 years as Credit Union 1 by opening our new headquarters building.

2006

Credit Union 1 becomes the first financial institution in Alaska to open an on-site children’s learning center for employee families. A new Eagle River branch opens.

2008

The Credit Solutions department is formed to help members with past credit problems get back on their feet.

2009

Credit Union 1 opens a Learning Lab at Anchorage’s West High School.

2010

Credit Union 1 becomes the first financial institution to enter the Mountain View community of Anchorage in over 20 years.

2013

Mobile check deposit capabilities debut.

2014

Longtime CEO, Leslie Ellis, retires after 30 years of dedicated service.

2016

Credit Union 1 launches digital wallets beginning with Apple Pay.

2018

Indirect lending services are offered. In honor of longtime board member Colin Baxter, the Employee Hand Up program is created to provide financial assistance to employees.

2019

Plans are drawn up to manufacture Alaska's first mobile banking truck: the CU1 Mobile Branch.

2020

A global pandemic strikes and we help distribute over $84 million in grants to 2,000+ businesses in communities across our state as part of Alaska's AK CARES grant program.

2021

Credit Union 1 opens Financial Center South with a new member experience and refreshed visual identity.

2023

We complete a core systems upgrade, positioning us to better serve our members with technology far into the future.

2024

CU1 expands financial services and literacy to young Alaskans via a UAA campus ITM and partnership with Greenlight, a debit card and financial literacy app. Quick Loans are launched for members with emergency needs.

2025

Three new CU1 branches are opened in Kotzebue, Wasilla and Skagway, further solidifying the credit union's mission-based focus on the wellbeing of all Alaskans. Business Lending launches to support small business owners statewide.

Beyond

When Alaskans face challenges, we show up with support, guidance and real solutions. Rooted in the credit union philosophy of “people helping people,” we stay focused on what matters most: helping members reach their financial goals with personalized service and lasting value.

Our Core Values

Core values are the fundamental beliefs of CU1 and the lens that we use when conducting business with members, potential members, vendors, fellow employees and all other parties we are in contact with while acting as an employee of the credit union.

Integrity

Integrity

We devote ourselves to the highest ethical standards in all our professional obligations.

Geography - Mountain-2

Responsibility

We are a socially and ethically responsible organization.

Geography - Eagle-2

Vision

We encourage innovation in the discovery and development of new products and services.

fish pictogram

Quality

We set our standards high to provide excellent service and value.

Leadership Pictogram

Citizenship

We acknowledge that it is our responsibility to take an active role in our communities.

Leadership

Our talented leaders have the great honor of serving our members and our communities each and every day.

Executive Management

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Mark Burgess

Mark Burgess

President/CEO
Mark Burgess

Mark Burgess LinkedIn

President/CEO

Mark started his career in IT for both small and large organizations, and his passion is finding elegant technical solutions to drive organizational efficiencies. Prior to serving as CEO of Credit Union 1, Mark moved to Alaska from New Hampshire in 2018 to serve as CU1’s Chief Technology Officer, where he was responsible for day-to-day IT operations, project management, information security and facilities. In his newest role, Mark brings immense knowledge, innovative thinking and a commitment to lead with empathy, compassion and service to others.

Mark finds ways to give back whenever he can and serves on the Alaska SeaLife Center Board, the Alaska State Council on the Arts Commission, and the Alaska Public Broadcast Commission. He and his wife, Hannah, are also avid birders who are always searching high and low for new birds - and trying to see more birds in a year than his dad!

Erika Smith

Erika Smith

Chief Operating Officer
Erika Smith

Erika Smith LinkedIn

Chief Operating Officer

Erika is a life-long Alaskan who attended Soldotna High School and has a degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English. She's passionate about supporting the critical thinking of our next generation. Erika has many years of experience working at a national bank chain before joining Credit Union 1 as an advocate for our mission to lead change, uplift others and truly value the people of Alaska. In her personal time, she loves to sleep and ski! Her favorite place to be is either in the mountains or on the Kenai River with friends.

Travis Frisk

Travis Frisk

Chief Financial Officer
Travis Frisk

Travis Frisk LinkedIn

Chief Financial Officer

As Credit Union 1’s Chief Financial Officer, Travis oversees Accounting & Finance, Deposit Operations, and Risk & Compliance. His leadership centers on financial strength, operational excellence and supporting CU1’s long-term growth across Alaska.

Travis brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial industry, including leadership roles at three major national banks. Before joining CU1 in 2023, he served as CFO for the Municipality of Anchorage.

Raised in Anchorage’s Nunaka Valley, Travis is a graduate of East Anchorage High School and the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he earned degrees in Finance and Marketing with a minor in Economics. He also holds the Certified Wealth Strategist designation and has previously maintained Series 7 and Series 65 licenses.

Travis is deeply involved in the community — serving as President of the Alaska Wolves Hockey Association, a Trustee for the Municipality of Anchorage Trust Fund, and a participant in JBER’s Civic Leaders Program. He also served on the Junior Achievement of Alaska board for 25 years before transitioning to Board Member Emeritus.

Tina Narron

Tina Narron

Chief Lending Officer
Tina Narron

Tina Narron LinkedIn

Chief Lending Officer

As Credit Union 1’s Chief Lending Officer, Tina serves as a key strategist and innovator for CU1’s robust lending portfolio, which includes consumer, real estate and small business lending. She leads the development of products and services that meet the evolving needs of Alaska’s diverse communities and ensures CU1’s lending policies comply with regulatory requirements while supporting member success.

Tina brings 35 years of financial industry experience — including 25 years in credit unions — and a career journey that began as a part-time drive-up teller. She worked her way through branch and lending leadership roles across multiple states, including Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado and Florida, before finding her home in Alaska. Throughout her career, Tina has played an instrumental role in organizational and cultural transformations, always centering the member experience.

Originally from Seattle, Tina remains closely connected to her family there, including her mother and extended family as an aunt and great-aunt. She enjoys traveling, spending time at her cabin on Lake Tyee, cooking, reading and being with her pets. Tina also serves on the advisory board for the Alaska Women’s Business Center, supporting the growth of women entrepreneurs across the state.

Her leadership is guided by a favorite Maya Angelou quote: “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”

Ben Craig

Ben Craig

Chief Administrative Officer
Ben Craig

Ben Craig LinkedIn

Chief Administrative Officer

As Credit Union 1’s Chief Administrative Officer, Ben provides strategy and guidance to safeguard members’ financial security, strengthen the systems and processes that support their evolving needs, and deliver high-quality data insights that help Alaskans thrive. His work spans security, operational efficiency and forward-thinking solutions that keep CU1 adaptable and resilient.

Ben’s career began in the U.S. Air Force, where he earned an Achievement Medal for developing a suspense-tracking application and tutoring an international officer while still in Tech School. He later received a Commendation Medal for creating a parcel-tracking system that was adopted globally within the Air Force and ultimately evolved into what is known today as the U.S. Postal Service’s Informed Delivery platform.

Ben’s ties to Alaska run deep — his family lived in Anchorage from 1954 to 1972 while his grandfather managed the Palmer Air Station for the FAA. His father was even present downtown during the 1964 earthquake, witnessing the collapse of the J.C. Penney building wall. Today, Ben enjoys hiking with his wife and their German Shepherd and continues to foster local collaboration as co-founder of the Anchorage Technology Forum.

Board of Directors

2022 Board of Directors - web

Credit Union 1's Board of Directors is a group of volunteers who oversee the governance of the credit union to ensure the organization executes strong strategies and direction. If you have a concern about the governance of Credit Union 1, please contact our Board of Directors below.

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Jennifer Bernard

Jennifer Bernard

Board Chair

Ed Hall

Marietta 'Ed' Hall

Vice Chair

Yuliya Mitchell

Yuliya Mitchell

Secretary

Colin Baxter

Colin Baxter

Treasurer

Joe Towslee

Joe Towslee

Director

Andre Horton

Andre Horton

Director

Carol Gore - Headshot-1

Carol Gore

Director

Supervisory Committee

Credit Union 1's supervisory committee is a group of volunteers who have oversight over the accurate reporting of the organization's financial records and ensuring executive decisions are fair and ethical. If you have a concern about the oversight of Credit Union 1, please contact the Supervisory Committee below.

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  • Jeff Wood, Chairman
  • Vincent Schmoyer, Secretary
  • Ross Risvold, Member

Annual Report Pictogram

Annual Reports

We believe in integrity and transparency. That's why we provide you with annual reports of our financial well-being, accomplishments, upcoming goals and more.

 

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