Sage Credit Union is stepping up its operational game with a brand-new C-suite position, and they’ve brought in some serious firepower to fill it.
Meet Rich Christensen, the credit union’s first-ever Chief Operating Officer—a guy who’s spent more than four decades mastering the art of making financial institutions actually work for people.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rich to the Sage team,” says Chad Olney, Sage Credit Union’s CEO. “His role in advancing our mission of providing members and communities the opportunity to prosper will be critical. We’re confident that his expertise in translating strategy into operational execution will help Sage strengthen the member experience and prepare for an even brighter future.”
Translation? Sage needed someone who doesn’t just talk strategy in boardrooms but can roll up their sleeves and make things happen on the ground floor.
Four Decades of Getting It Done
Christensen isn’t exactly new to the neighborhood. His 40-plus years span community banks, regional powerhouses, and credit unions—basically the full spectrum of financial institutions that actual humans interact with. Along the way, he’s built a reputation for something that sounds simple but is surprisingly rare: putting people first.
His track record includes driving core deposit growth (that’s banking speak for getting people to trust you with their money), modernizing operations and technology, and building the kind of workplace culture where employees actually want to show up on Monday mornings. He’s also proven he can play well with others—internal teams, members, communities, stakeholders, you name it.
“It’s an honor to join a deeply impactful community financial institution like Sage Credit Union,” Christensen says. “I look forward to using my unique combination of industry knowledge and experience, in partnership with the entire team, to prepare and help lead us to our next level of sustainable, long-term growth.”
The Resume That Keeps Going
Before landing at Sage, Christensen served as Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer at Mission Valley Bank. But that’s just the most recent chapter. His executive leadership tour also includes stops at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, San Diego National Bank, First Foundation Bank, and CUNA Mutual Group.
Here’s a fun fact: the guy is so committed to continuous learning that he’s been a top-rated faculty member at The Pacific Coast Banking School for 23 years. That’s not a typo—twenty-three years of teaching the next generation of banking leaders while simultaneously doing the job himself.
Beyond the Balance Sheets
When he’s not transforming financial operations, Christensen is all about that Oregon outdoor life. He’s also a concert and theatre enthusiast (yes, both—range is important), and he bleeds brown and gold for the San Diego Padres. As a father of three adult children and grandfather to two grandkids, he’s clearly mastered the work-life balance thing that so many executives just talk about.
Christensen was placed in this role by DDJ Myers, the executive search firm that clearly knew exactly what Sage was looking for.