One of the reasons Carl Gallegos began working with REGIONAL federal credit union is because of how much it cares about the communities it serves. Gallegos is proud to be a part of a local credit union that understands and wants to create relationships with its members, furthering his own reach to friends, family, and others.
The business development representative joined the REGIONAL team towards the beginning of fall this year. Gallegos was familiar with the credit union's strong community presence and reputation, making the transition effortless and natural. His home office is located in Portage, but he connects with businesses and conducts community visits across all of Porter and Lake counties. The work would be similar to what Gallegos did as a realtor and mortgage officer, but he can now make personal connections regularly. He's able to have fun while creating relationships, helping business owners, and helping the community seek help through the credit union's products.
"We bring to the community product expertise and the ability to understand people's situations," Gallegos said. "There are many times I'll include myself in this when you're younger and don't know what to do financially. It's bringing expertise to see how we can help people individually where they may not think there's any help available to them. You never know when you can help somebody else get from a position that's not so great into a better position."
Gallegos wouldn't have leaped into the sales industry if it hadn't been for support from his wife. Being a CNC machine operator with American Stair, he paid the bills for nearly five years while he attended night school to pursue a bachelor's in history and pre-law. Even so, Gallegos knew he wanted something more for himself when he graduated from Purdue University Northwest in 2019. During COVID-19, his wife helped him believe he could make a career shift. Gallegos credits her as his biggest supporter on his journey into the sales industry and now with REGIONAL.
REGIONAL was an ever-present helping hand while Gallegos grew up in Hammond, where the credit union is based. He experienced firsthand through the school system and within the community its good reputation in the city. Working for REGIONAL is Gallegos' way of connecting with his past, educating the present, and setting the futures of many up for success.
"There wasn't only the sense of convening I felt with REGIONAL as a credit union present in everyday life, but I also knew some of the things REGIONAL was doing in the community," Gallegos said. "Its products were helping people get out of certain situations. When I saw the opportunity to come to work for REGIONAL and, at the same time, be able to help out the community, I thought it was a great fit. It's always something I enjoy doing, but I do it on a much lower basis than what I have been doing. It went from a thing I would do time and time to now; it's all I do, and I enjoy it."
Gallegos had an unlikely path to get to where he is now with REGIONAL. The risk was worth taking to now have a hand in helping his fellow community members. It means a lot to Gallegos to give back personally after being one with the larger Region community for many years. He has experienced how REGIONAL's services, like refinancing auto loans and offering credit counseling, can significantly impact individuals' financial well-being. Gallegos is just getting started and having fun exemplifying the care REGIONAL showcases.
"I see in every single branch I've stopped at the people who work there care," Gallegos said. "They care about how you're doing and feeling. They talk to you, and I love that. It's one of the things I saw right away when I started working at REGIONAL. It makes a big difference in your everyday work life and everyday life if you're a member of REGIONAL or working there."
To learn more about REGIONAL federal credit union, visit regionalfcu.org.