Kurt Jacobson
Kurt gets results by bringing people together with the big idea. His broad perspective and understanding of how credit unions work have been sharpened by years of counseling senior executives and leading JayRay. Whether he’s facilitating working with the board of directors of Kitsap Credit Union or championing a fresh approach to branding with Sound Credit Union, Kurt is always focused on strategy.
A member of Sound Credit Union in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington, Kurt has worked with credit unions that span all asset sizes, federal and state charters. He is a mentor and friend to marketing directors and a trusted advisor to credit union managers and CEOs. His work leading the communications team for Kitsap Credit Union’s conversion from a federal to a state credit union charter resulted in the largest voter turn out in the history of the cooperative.
Kurt is a strategic thinker and adept at troubleshooting problems that threaten credit unions’ market share. With his wealth of marketing experience, he is particularly effective at helping credit unions attract new members.
One of JayRay’s original owners, Kurt became president of the communications consultancy in 1987. He has won numerous creative awards as a former agency copywriter, and led the agency to additional industry and public service recognition, including The Credit Union Difference Award in 2006. JayRay received “Business of the Year” awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration and “Marketing Company of the Year” by Marketing Executives International. And, Media Inc. named Kurt their “Person of the Year.”
A civic leader, Kurt encourages community and professional involvement from his staff and sets a good example by donating his time and professional talents. He graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in communications and received his M.B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University.
Jamie Chase
With her ever-present smile, Jamie is persistent, persuasive and impossible to ignore. Credit union leaders and journalists alike appreciate her balance of Amish country charm and global vision. Whether planning the special events to launch the Washington state quarter with the U.S. Treasury, or leading congressional aides on a goodwill mission to Africa to study Carol Schillios’ Herb Wegner Award winning project, Jamie is imaginative, strategic and untiring. She is perhaps best known in the credit union movement for introducing the BizKid$ PBS show to the Washington and National Credit Union Foundations, securing the largest grant in the history of the credit union movement.
Jamie has nine years of experience as an award-winning public relations professional and nationally broadcast PBS producer. Before coming to JayRay, she was the director of public relations and communications for the Washington Credit Union League, acting as spokesperson for the state’s 136 credit unions. Her media relations work has been featured on the Associated Press, as well as in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Her PBS programs were broadcast on over 100 stations nationwide. Her work at the Washington Credit Union League garnered several national Desjardins, CUNA Diamond, and an Associations Advance America Honor Roll Awards.
Jamie recently garnered coast-to-coast AP coverage for a story to protect Latino consumers from predatory lenders, coordinating photo shoots and interviews on behalf of former Attorney General of Mexico Consulado Jorge Madrazo, the Office of Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, the Department of Financial Institutions and Washington’s credit unions. More recently, she conceived and provided media relations support to the Washington Credit Union League’s Shred Day, a state-wide shredding event in partnership with Attorney General McKenna.
Jamie is a certified Credit Union Development Educator and a life-long credit union member. She currently belongs to four credit unions, including Prevail Credit Union in Seattle. Jamie received a Bachelor of Science in social and behavioral communication from The Ohio State University and was raised in the cooperative village of Zoar, Ohio.
Melina Young
Young doesn’t necessarily mean naïve – especially when it comes to Melina. However, youth does contribute to her penchant for technology. Clients and coworkers appreciate this technology whiz kid’s eagerness to experiment in uncharted cyber-territory.
Melina currently manages several successful blogs and Web sites. She enjoys working to increase search engine optimization, which allows a site to appear higher on a Google or Yahoo search. Higher placement in search results means more members and increased visibility.
Melina is constantly looking into new avenues of technology to discover how they can benefit credit unions and other clients. She has well-rounded interests and has studied how different types of advertising are used to appeal to people of different cultures.
A member of two credit unions, Melina is dedicated to the movement. She has helped several credit unions achieve their marketing goals, and is JayRay’s resident expert on name changes and trademarking. Exceeding expectations and guiding clients to success is Melina’s highest priority. Her creativity has contributed to several campaigns including Full Tank Foods, Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union and The Union Credit Union.
As a young professional, Melina provides a wealth of insight into the elusive 18-30 demographic. She is skilled at solving the problems credit unions face, such as reaching and retaining Gen Y, and helping American youth discover the credit union difference. She also empathizes with young working mothers because she has a new stepson.
Melina is an experienced grant writer. She seamlessly pulls together complex campaigns, a testament to her dedication and multitasking ability that she learned as a classical vocalist. Her quiet singing echoes throughout the halls at JayRay, much to the delight of her coworkers.
Melina earned her B.A. in business administration, marketing from the University of Washington. Her studies in Rome provided her with a worldly advertising perspective.
