about.
Who is kelCR...
Since I was the newbie, I had to do all of the tedious grunt work during the conversion like configuring parameters, all the data records, batch jobs, user permissions... All of the boring stuff that the other guys didn't want to do. I was glad to do it because that is how I learned Symitar. Denise empowered me to try everything within Symitar.
So I did!
Within 1 year I was the Symitar Administrator. I handled everything from release loads, batch job scheduling, data research, PowerOn support, troubleshooting processes, third-party integrations. If it touched, talked to, and operated within Symitar, I managed it.
In 2015 I said goodbye to MFCU and got a support position at Jack Henry. Something I said I would do when I was there in 2009 for PowerOn training as a client. I was shy a few months of completing 10 yrs with JH. The first half of my time there I was in Symitar custom solutions supporting their custom PowerOn products and helping clients design their own custom solutions.
The second half I moved into the Symitar Vender Integration group. Here is where I learned how third party vendor solutions integrate into Symitar. I designed, tested, supported, created technical guides, and help implement third-party custom PowerOns developed in the VIP program, for VIP members. I also managed the vendor sandbox syms for the vendors in the VIP program. This included troubleshooting SymXchange calls for vendors, providing knowledge based support, and managing SymXchange certifications.
After my time at JH, I had a short opportunity to work for one of these VIP vendors. I saw one common theme from working in both environments, credit unions and vendors needed more knowledge based resources to help them succeed independently.
This is where I can step in to help build a triangle of support so that the credit union and third-party vendor relationships learn and grow stronger together. I will provide a holistic approach to support where I encourage getting to the root cause to a situation by looking at everything as a whole. I will not be afraid to ask why so that it can spark ideas that may be hidden. I will act as your support turtle providing empowerment at a steady pace that will build confidence in your projects and solutions.
My name is Kelly Lynn (Craig) Richards. My story begins in New Jersey where I was born, and then moved to Orlando, Florida at 6 mos old. I still reside in Central Florida today. I am the only daughter of a mechanical engineer dad, Richard Craig, and a Credit Union guru mom, Eleanora Craig. Being an only child and latchkey kid at the age of 9 in the 80s, I learned real quick to be resourceful and independent with the support of my parents. We form the perfect triangle. A triangle needs all three sides to learn and grow which provides empowerment to stay strong.
My career in the credit union space began in 2004 at Martin Federal Credit Union. This is the same credit union where my mom worked for 35 years. I started as a teller and advanced to a member services representative.
In 2008, MFCU started the process to convert from Fiserv Spectrum(hosted) to Jack Henry Symitar(in-house). At the time, there were only 2 people in IT so moving from hosted to in-house required more staff. I was strongly encouraged by our VP and my mom to apply for the third position in IT. It was a crazy idea since I didn't have any formal IT or software-based training. What I didn't know then was it is the pivotal moment that got me to where I am today. It didn't matter how much I bombed in that interview, I was meant to get that position. I am forever grateful for Denise Gale and my mom for seeing something that I couldn't yet.
* When we talk, ask me about my turtle story and why they are important.