Tulip is not-for-profit and owned by the members we serve, in other words you. We exist solely to serve our members, not to enrich a group of stockholders. All credit unions are run by a volunteer board of directors, who are elected by members. Every member has an equal vote in director elections.

On an ongoing basis, Tulip seeks qualified and interested candidates for board of directors and supervisory committee positions. If you are interested in becoming a board member please submit your resume to info@tulipcu.coop.

The Board is required to effectively monitor Tulip’s management performance without undermining their ability to operate the Credit Union. It does this by:
  • Review and approve strategic objectives on an annual basis
  • Approve the Credit Union’s annual operating budget
  • Approve or recommend changes strategies and policies ; such as loans, fees and investments
  • Evaluate the effectiveness Tulip’s management by selection and evaluation of the CEO
 
Eric Bowman has been a Director for the Credit Union since the fall of 2006; he now currently serves as the Secretary. Eric is a Cooperative Development Specialist with the Northwest Cooperative Development Center. His professional focus is providing technical assistance and business development services to committees seeking to form co-op businesses; in addition, he is a nonprofit manager for his organization. Eric holds a BA from the Evergreen State College with a focus in nonprofit administration and political economy. Previously, Eric owned a small gardening business and worked for several years on an agro-tourism operation conducting Ag education and small animal husbandry. He strongly supports the mission and core work of the credit union and believes a more economically just society is possible.
 
Pat Tassoni is a founding Board member of TULIP Cooperative Credit Union. Pat has successfully written nearly $200,000.00 worth of grants to benefit TULIP members. He currently is the Coordinator of the Thurston County Tenants Union, a non-profit organization that seeks to empower low income renters through education and organizing. For twenty years he has actively resisted police abuse and the privatization of public space by willing local governments and business initiatives that seek to criminalize youth, the homeless and others in poverty.
 
David is a Senior Consultant at Beluga Software Inc. a locally owned small business in Olympia which he cofounded in 1999. He has previously served as president and board chair at Beluga, and has nine years of additional experience in the technology field working in positions from lead program to network system administration for regional firms and Microsoft Corporation. He brings this technical expertise to the board’s MIS oversight. He received his BS in Mathematics from The Evergreen State College. He is involved in the community as president of the Thurston County Progressive Network and as a volunteer with the Farm Bank Project.
 
Chris Thornton is the co-owner and founder of, Precious Metalsmith in downtown Olympia. There he provides a broad range of highly specialized jewelry services including engraving, lapidary and custom design. You may know him from the Olympia Farmers Market where his business got its start 10 years ago. As a small business owner, he understands the importance of access to credit and is eager to apply his skills for the good of his community.
 
Full bio to be posted soon.
 
The Supervisory Committee provides oversight of the safety and soundness of Tulip through monitoring risks and controls associated with its business objectives, strategies, and plans. The Supervisory Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to:
  • Adequacy of internal controls and operational risk management
  • Integrity of financial reporting
  • Appointment of the Credit Union’s independent auditor to perform the internal audit function
  • Credit Union legal and regulatory compliance
 
Mark Stojak is a Social Worker in Thurston County. He has joined the Tulip Board of Directors because he believes in building the capacity of individuals and families in his community. Mark has had experience as a Mentoring Program Director, Community Organizer, Child Protective Services Social Worker and Policy Advocate. Mark exclaims that, '"Access to credit and financial services is more than a social justice issue, it is a human rights issue as well. People should not have to choose between paying a bill and feeding themselves or have to wonder whether or not they will have a house to live in. Bridging the gap of inequality will allow people the opportunity to flourish and make living a dream, a reality."
 
Full bio to be posted soon.
 
TULIP Cooperative Credit Union, a community development credit union for low-income people in Thurston County, Washington, is seeking qualified and interested candidates for board of directors and supervisory committee positions. These positions require a three-year commitment of time and energy.

If you are interested in becoming a board member please submit your resume to info@tulipcu.coop.