In November 2018, Sunward welcomed our 100,000th member, Keely Dobbs. As a wife, veteran, mother of three, business partner, and soon-to-be student in the UNM Physician Assistant program, extra time is often hard to find. However, according to Keely, joining the right financial institution couldn’t have been easier.
The road to Sunward membership for Keely and her husband, artist and designer Danny Hart, began at a local community event in Albuquerque showcasing restaurants, artists, and other local small businesses. “We had a booth at the event, and Sunward Business Services employee Nathaniel Armendariz approached us and asked if we had heard of Sunward,” said Keely. Over the last several years, Keely and Danny had developed Danny Hart Design, a business focused on Danny’s handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, accessories, furniture, and lighting fixtures crafted out of wood and metal.
The business had grown organically and was doing well, which led Keely and Danny to begin thinking about getting their business accounts in order. What ultimately shaped their decision to join Sunward was the Credit Union’s reputation in the community as well as Nathaniel’s enthusiasm to go above and beyond for their business. “We knew that a big bank was not in our future. We definitely shopped around but we kept hearing that Sunward was the best option,” said Danny. Additionally, Nathaniel’s willingness to help set everything up and to support their business’ goals made them confident in their choice.
In regard to being the 100,000th member, Keely says, “The universe was definitely managing the timing. Nathaniel made things fast and easy. It’s so great to have the Credit Union here to grow with us.”
As a milestone member, Keely was celebrated in the Juan Tabo branch in January. She received a $100 deposit into her account, in addition to a Sandy the Lab stuffed animal, flowers, balloons, and a $100 donation made in her honor to the New Mexico Credit Unions Connected Academy, which is raising money to provide a teacher for patients admitted to the pediatric unit at UNM Hospital.
