Thomas J Ardis, MBA, is President of SUMMAWeb, an Internet domain name registrar. Formerly a Registered Investment Advisor, Ardis was also business manager for The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

A UFCU member since 1979, Mr. Ardis has served 9 years on the Supervisory Committee, 8 as Chairman. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1996, serving as Chairman and on the Executive, ALCO/ Budget, Technology, Governance/Nominating, Futurist and Banking for Good committees.

Mr. Ardis favors a strategic balance between dividend and loan rates and expanded investment in both physical locations and electronic services to maintain the highest-quality Member experience. He encourages continued, controlled growth to expand membership. He actively supports initiatives by the national credit union community to thwart efforts by commercial bankers to restrict credit union membership.

D Michael Harris, PhD, CPA.CITP, is Managing Member of Harris Queza & Company, PLLC, a public accounting firm. Formerly a tenured Professor of Accounting at St. Edward’s University, Dr. Harris joined St. Edward’s after a business career of almost 30 years, serving primarily as senior financial executive in a variety of companies across several industries.

Dr. Harris has served five terms on the Board of Directors of UFCU. He is an active consultant and a Director of several privately held companies. He donates his expertise freely, serving as Treasurer for Rivers Pointe Downtown Condominium Association and as President and Director for Stanley Hills Homeowner Association, both in Estes Park, Colorado. He also serves as Director and Treasurer of the non-profit, Susan Poorman Blackie Ovarian Cancer Foundation. He served on the UFCU Supervisory Committee before his election to the Board of Directors.

Leslie L Blanke, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at St. Edward’s University and the Concordia University MBA program. Dr. Blanke received a BA in Economics from Tufts University and began her career in product-level financial analysis for Hallmark Cards. She completed her PhD in Economics from Southern Methodist University and, after graduation, began a litigation consulting practice through the Forensic and Litigation Services Practice of KPMG.

Dr. Blanke believes in listening to the voice of the Member. She encourages progress through innovation and has a passion for providing service to our Members and our community outside of traditional norms.

Dr. Blanke also sits on the UFCU Supervisory Committee and the Board of Trustees at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy as Treasurer and Assets Committee chair. She is the former chair of the St. Austin Catholic Parish Investment Committee and former co-chair of the local Tufts University Admissions Network chapter.

David W Niesel, PhD, is the Chief Research Officer, Senior Vice President, and Dean of The University of Texas Medical Branch Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He was chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology for 14 years, during which time he led his department to a top 10 ranking among Microbiology and Immunology departments, nationally.

Dr. Niesel is co-creator of Medical Discovery News, an international radio show that is broadcast weekly on more than 100 radio stations. He has contributed to more than 65 publications and holds four patents. As Chief Research Officer for the university, he manages all aspects of the $120 million research enterprise at UTMB.

Dr. Niesel has been a UFCU Member since 1980. He believes in the philosophy and outlook of the credit union movement and its Members-first focus. Dr. Niesel is dedicated to helping UFCU advance as a leader in Texas and the country.