Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Peterkin
Hi Chris , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well I have always want to find different ways of serving. It started all the way back to High School. I have always had a passion for giving back and volunteering. I was originally born in Troy NC, My grandmother and family raised me and instilled so much into me about going out and serving others and being a servant leader. At that time I didn’t know what the term was but I learned the meaning as I developed. I would like to thank my aunt Kim Harrison who was a pivitol part in developing my professional skills while still understanding being an effective Servant Leader. FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) really gave me my first taste into the business professionalism field. Fast forward to my professional life, I started really wanting to find ways to give back and participate. I first started off as a board member for my alma mater’s Alumni Association (UNC Pembroke) in 2014. I was a board member and served in various leadership roles until 2022 where I ultimately served as President. Then I was appointed to the Foundation Board. But, then my board service was expanded to serving as a board member for Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy (WYMLA) Business Alliance board, and MoneyBox Academy Inc., and CUXEL (Credit Union Emerging Leaders) Council within the Carolinas Credit Union League So much I have gained in those various roles.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With any progress, there are those moments of “loneliness”. I would not be telling the truth if I said I never experienced any downs. I have had moments where it seemed I was the only one that had a forward thinking approach. But My Christian Faith and the morals that were instilled into me allowed me to keep going. I have had some losses (family passing, job change right at the tip of the beginning of the Pandemic, etc.) but It was always instilled into me to “keep it moving, I’m with you” and that phrase came from my Pastor, Pastor Paul E. Whitley.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work in finance. I have worked in the credit union industry for over 11 years. I started off as a teller then I became a loan officer, next a lending compliance officer, then a senior account manager to now a MAP (Member Assistance Program) Loan Advisor. Overall, what I am most proud of is that I always want to find ways to not only help those who have excellent credit but those who have various situations that may have caused a mishap financially. I always want to take extra time to help them in order to turn around their situation. You truly don’t know the relief that is provided when somebody hears your story and how you got to your current situation but when they can take what you give them and provide a “pathway” it truly means a lot. I have always said “it could always be me on the other side of the table”.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is my grandmother. Catherine Ann Harrison. All of the lessons she taught me about life. I learned so much up until she passed in 2006. She really gave me the childhood and life that has been such as blessing. But my all time memory was when she finally allowed me to participate in marching band in middle school. I am a drummer/percussionist as a hobby. My dad played the drums in high school and college. It was cool to know that I was keeping the tradition going.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ccp1022
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.peterkin1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-peterkin/
