SECU president and CEO returns as lead judge for “The Associate”
SECU to offer the winner a full-time position
By Gay Pinder on November 3, 2016
He’s baaaack! SECU President and CEO Rod Staatz returns for the second time as the presenting executive and lead judge of “The Associate,” the annual business case competition of the Towson University College of Business and Economics.
“I was thrilled to be a part of ‘The Associate’ in 2014, and I look forward to seeing and working with a new group of talented TU seniors for the upcoming competition,” said Staatz. “SECU is proud of its partnership with Towson University, and this competition is another way to link our institutions in a meaningful way.”
“The Associate” places eight promising business and accounting seniors in direct competition for the grand prize of a guaranteed job upon graduation with SECU.
Week after week, students are faced with challenges presented by regional companies and tasked to work in teams to find and present resolutions. In addition to the unique opportunity win a job offer via competition, the students also gain real-life experience and invaluable business connections.
Staatz will oversee the contest, serve as lead judge and announce each week who will progress—and who will be eliminated.
Staatz has been president and CEO of Maryland’s largest credit union since 2003, and has more than 30 years of experience in financial services.
With over 230,000 members, and assets of more than $2.6 billion, SECU is ranked among the top 50 credit unions in the United States for total assets.
Towson University and SECU formed a partnership in 2013 to serve as the official credit union to the university, and includes the naming rights to SECU Arena.
Candidates will be selected by Jan. 1, and the competition will officially begin Feb. 7. The winner will be announced March 28, following final presentations.