Carter Credit Union
Jason Berard has a strong background in information technology and management. Jason began their career as a Systems Analyst at Casino Magic Bay St. Louis in 1996, where they supported and maintained AS/400 systems. In 1999, they moved on to Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans, where they served as a Sr. Systems Analyst before being promoted to Director of Information Technology. In this role, they managed three departments and developed long and short term goals. Jason joined Carter Federal Credit Union in 2010 as Vice President of Information Technology, and quickly rose to the position of Chief Information Officer. In this role, they were responsible for managing IT operations, information security, and other departments. Throughout their career, Berard has demonstrated strong leadership and financial management skills.
Jason Berard attended the Southeastern Louisiana University from 1995 to 1999, where they earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. From 2003 to 2004, they pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at the University of New Orleans. In 2007, Jason briefly enrolled in the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, focusing on Executive Leadership. However, it is not specified whether they completed a degree in this program.
Carter Credit Union
Carter Federal’s beginnings date back to 1954, when Floyd Carter chartered the credit union to serve the employees of International Paper Company in Springhill, Louisiana. As paymaster of International Paper, Floyd Carter witnessed predatory lending practices within his own workplace, and made a commitment to seek a safe way for employees to borrow and save money. Mr. Carter was a true credit union pioneer. His mission was to form a financial cooperative based on the premise of “people helping people”. Carter Federal Credit Union was chartered for the purpose of improving the financial well-being of its members. This tradition continues today, many years after Mr. Carter’s pioneering efforts. Carter Federal Credit Union is unique among credit unions in the United States as it continues to carry the name of its founder. Carter Federal continued to operate on-site at International Paper until 1979 when the paper mill closed. Moving to a new location was the beginning of a new period of growth for the Credit Union. The 1980’s were marked by expansion and increasing operations. New locations in Shreveport, Mansfield, and Monroe, Louisiana were opened by acquisition of other credit unions through merger. In 1989, three major companies in Magnolia, Arkansas joined the field of membership and a fifth office was opened in Magnolia. By 2005 the credit union industry was faced with unprecedented challenges as the national unemployment rate reached record highs. Another milestone in the Credit Union’s history occurred that year when the Board of Directors recruited James P. Gibson to become President and CEO. Under his leadership, Carter Federal has continued its tradition of service to its members, and has experienced tremendous growth, doubling its asset size in only five years. Mr. Gibson retired in August of 2014, and the Board of Directors appointed Joe Arnold as President and CEO.