A CPA, Mesta’s stint at JHFCU began after he was part of the Rowles & Company audit team assigned to JHFCU in 1980. His experience at the local accounting firm exposed him to a variety of organizations, and after seeing what worked and didn’t work, he wanted to try his ideas at an organization where he had a stake in the outcome vs just coming for the occasional audit. “Being fully part of a winning organization sounded better than checking in once in a while,” he observed.
He came on board as the Chief Accountant in 1982 and was promoted to Controller, and in 1996 was named CEO. The Credit Union grew from $8 million in assets when he started there, to over $550 million under his leadership. When he started, the product line was relatively limited. Mesta oversaw the implementation of the Credit Union’s Share Draft Checking program and led the organization into the digital banking world with the introduction of the “Internet Branch”. Through his stewardship, he’s seen the impacts of technology and how it’s been the root of progress and allowed JHFCU to serve its members more efficiently. He also oversaw JHFCU’s physical growth and location changes, including branch additions and closures, and headquarter changes. He began when the Credit Union’s back office operations were in the 550 Building and its branch was in Hampton House on the JHMI campus (when he worked as an auditor the Credit Union’s sole location was Gilman Hall on the Homewood campus). Mesta orchestrated the move to and spent the bulk of his time in the State Theater branch and headquarters in East Baltimore, and relocated to JHFCU’s new headquarters and administrative space in Canton.
Mesta has enjoyed being part of an organization built by and for its members, and has seen how the Credit Union has helped many members improve their financial situation. He also takes pride in the staff and how employees have experienced significant career growth as the Credit Union has flourished. In the early days he and others “had to wear a lot of hats, but having a little more specialization as we got larger, we could be more concerned with the smaller adjustments that an organization has to make,” he reflected. The dedication of the Credit Union’s staff and their passion for serving members is something Mesta championed. He appreciates the stories where staff or managers went above and beyond to help someone from being evicted, or obtaining a car so they can get to work. He noted it’s gratifying to read comments from members who thank us or compliment the service, but that we also treasure feedback from members who make suggestions on how we can do better.
Throughout his career, Mesta monitored the balance of the JHFCU mission statement: “To provide its members with competitive, high-qualify financial services, while remaining strong, secure and reliable in its operations.” This statement reflects the Credit Union’s focus on developing services that meet members’ needs and staying competitive with the market, while ensuring the Credit Union remained financially strong in a variety of economic conditions. He has seen years where interest rates were significantly higher, the challenges of the 2008 recession, and the pandemic, but where the Credit Union adjusted, remained stable, and continued to provide value to its members. “JHFCU may not always have the very best rate you can find, but we are always close. We monitor our rates against others, and are always trying to balance the current needs of our members with the long-term horizon of what is best for the future of our organization”, he remarked.
And while JHFCU has evolved over the years, Mesta has observed changes to the credit union industry, where many credit unions have lost their identity as they rushed to serve more and more groups. He noted, “At JHFCU, we stayed with the tighter-knit Hopkins community and that has worked out well for the membership and the organization itself.” As the Credit Union celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Mesta has seen the changes and remains confident in the future of the organization. “Having worked in the credit union industry for 40 years, I can say JHFCU is one of the best. We have a tremendous amount of long-term talent on staff and the financial position is extremely solid. This is an organization built to last.”
The JHFCU Board has begun a search for the replacement CEO. Mesta will spend his final year leading the Credit Union through the remaining effects of the pandemic and its continued focus on the digital channel, before stepping down next March to spend time with his grandchildren and focus on music, sports, and the business world. “I am thinking 2022 will be a year to work on my golf game,” he declared.