T H E S TAT E | P E O P L E
Creating a Strong Legacy
Tinker Federal Credit Union’s Mike Kloiber spent 25 years improving life for his employees and patrons.
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After a storied career at Tinker Federal Credit Union, president and CEO Michael Kloiber (right) retired at the end of August. Photo courtesy TFCU
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ike Kloiber put his “spin” on Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU), Oklahoma’s largest credit union, for 25 years. And he hopes he’s left behind a lasting legacy. While Kloiber retired at the end of August as TFCU’s president and CEO, he’s held nearly every position imaginable throughout his career – everything from drivethrough sweeper and bank teller to senior officer and vice president of operations. When that last position became available, Kloiber took the leap. Thanks to his 10 years of experience in community banking, he got the job. “Fortunately, I had been exposed to a lot of different experiences ... that’s what made me a qualified candidate,” he says. “Plus, I also had the education. Back then, leadership didn’t have as many college degrees ... they were educated by experience. I came in with the experience, plus a bachelor’s degree and a masters degree.” While Kloiber is now spending his days traveling in an RV with his wife Pam, his days at TFCU were rarely predictable. “There [were] no typical days,” he says. “You [would] come in with an agenda that you’d like to get done, but it was always interrupted. I think that’s what [made] the job exciting. I never had a single
OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2021
spin on it, and I think most emday that was the same as the day ployees know who I am and what I before...I [was] just ready to tackle stand for, and that’s not very easy the next day.” with an organization of [TFCU’s] For Kloiber, the top priority at size,” he says. “I TFCU was his think you have employees. He to be close to the emphasized that people you are running TFCU responsible for took the whole and for them to team, and if know that you he didn’t have care about them. the employees I know what it’s doing their job, like to be at difthe credit union Kloiber was born in Tulsa ferent levels, and didn’t function. and raised in Oklahoma it’s important “They are City, where he attended to show apprethe face of the Southeast High School – ciation and be credit union, and the place where he met considerate of all how they treat his wife, Pam. He continemployees.” members is how ued his higher educaAs for the successful we tion at the University of future of TFCU, will be,” he adds. Kloiber hopes “The employees Central Oklahoma. the financial are the most Previously a school institution conimportant thing teacher, Kloiber began tinues to expand for me – and the his career in finance by and add new one thing I miss sweeping the drivetechnology. He the most.” through at a community says he felt he left His passion for bank on weekends. It the credit union his employees was there that leaderin great shape led to Kloiber’s ship asked him to join and good hands, desire to imthe world of banking. ready to keep prove the culture He’s an advocate of growing. at TFCU during “I see nothing his tenure. He the credit union movebut good things says it is one of ment and is a steadfast in the future,” he the most crucial supporter of the defense says. things he did. community. ALAINA STEVENS “I put the ‘Mike Kloiber’
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