Joyce Moed | Profile Samples

Jared Guynes

By Joyce Moed, Reporter

DALLAS–Resource One Credit Union here selected Jared Guynes as its first MyLifeMyMoney spokesperson.

The contest brought in more than 12,000 votes in all. Guynes secured first place with 6,488 votes, narrowly beating out finalist Jamie Lath who received 6,031 votes.

MyLifeMyMoney provides relevant financial products to give 18- to 34-year-olds the necessary tools–first-time home and auto loans, custom accounts, online banking, and education–to better manage their money, allowing them to build their credit history responsibly.

Plano, Texas-resident, Guynes works as a graphic artist, web designer and event promoter. As MyLifeMyMoney spokesperson, he will receive use of the following perks for year: MyLifeMyMoney Scion, gas allowance, iPhone and service, hi-def video camera, Apple iBook and part-time salary.

Credit Union Journal recently asked Lath about his new role as spokesperson.

CU Journal: As spokesperson for MyLifeMyMoney, what are your responsibilities?

Guynes: My primary responsibility is to inform and educate Generation Y individuals (18-34 years of age) about MyLifeMyMoney (MLMM) and engage them to become MLMM member-owners. MLMM is a special banking program offered by Resource One Credit Union that utilizes a specific set of products and services to benefit the unique needs of this age group.

Secondarily, as “Spokester” for MLMM, my responsibilities include:

To help open new MLMM accounts and expose the brand via driving the MLMM Scion that I was awarded from the “Spokester” contest
Maintain a daily, active blog at mylifemymoney.org website
Attend and participate in area events in the Dallas and NW Harris county areas that cater to the demographics of the 18-34 age group
Visit area colleges and universities in Dallas and NW Harris counties to apprise students of the MLMM program
Work with Marketing Symphony – Resource One’s marketing arm. Marketing Symphony is my liaison for MLMM’s weekly marketing activities

CUJ: What was the voting/selection process like from beginning to end?

Guynes: The MLMM “Spokester” competition, which launched Aug. 13, 2008, sought candidates ages 18-34 who lived in Dallas County and Northwest Harris County (Houston) and asked us to submit a 500-word blog and online video by Sept. 30. Three finalists would be then be selected. In addition to these requirements, candidates had to be outgoing, have technical savvy, strong writing skills, and time availability if selected as the spokester.

The MLMM “Spokester” contest touted that the winner would:

Become an employee of Resource One and receive a part-time salary for a year
Attend and speak at events throughout the year representing MLMM and Resource One
Create and post audio and video podcasts
Post blog and video diary entries
Receive use of a Scion with a gas allowance, Smart Phone, laptop and a digital video camera

On Sept. 30, based on my blog and video entries, I was selected as one of the three finalists. During the second phase of the competition, we three finalists had to amass as many votes as possible from our community of family, friends, and others by Oct. 31. The finalist who could drive the most votes to the MLMM website would become the winner.

I was actually behind in votes for the majority of the competition. In efforts to salvage myself, I enlisted a team of volunteers comprised of my friends to email their families and their friends and ask them to submit votes on my behalf. This “turning” effort resulted in my ultimately winning the contest garnishing 6,488 votes (second place, 6,031 votes).

I was determined to win the MLMM competition and was genuinely afraid that I would not be victorious. At heart, I knew I was the best candidate, a true ambassador for MLMM and Resource One and would be able to perform the responsibilities required to be the “Spokester.”

CUJ: What do you hope to accomplish during this year as spokesperson?

Guynes: My primary goal is to obtain 3,500 to 5,000 new MLMM accounts. Secondly, I hope to accomplish the following: 1) To inform as many people as physically possible about the differences between credit unions and banks; and 2) Help pave the way and be a model for new MLMM spokespeople in the future.

CUJ: Why did you want to become the MyLifeMyMoney spokesperson?

Guynes: First, as the only one of the three “Spokester” finalists who is a member-owner of Resource One, I saw the MLMM opportunity as a way to help expand the credit union movement in my own unique way. I never realized when I became a member-owner in 2002 that I would one day be an employee of Resource One.

I also knew that the MLMM “Spokester” position was the job I was born to do. Ever since I was a small kid, I have been an excellent communicator. I like performing in front of groups and I like staying on the “cutting-edge” of technology and learning new ideas and tools. The combination of my combined savvy and communications skills are perfect for the MLMM “Spokester” position.